After a nine-month hiatus, IVE is making a highly anticipated comeback. On December 25, Starship Entertainment surprised fans by unveiling a teaser for IVE’s third EP, IVE EMPATHY, on social media. The album is scheduled for release on February 3, 2025.

The teaser video features heartwarming moments of the IVE members showing affection and support for one another—locking arms, holding hands, covering each other with blankets, and leaning on one another. These scenes are underscored by the lyric, "May we always keep six together," which captivated listeners with its emotional resonance. As the scenes unfold like a puzzle coming together, the members’ initial appearances are revisited, highlighting a theme of unity. The album’s title, EMPATHY, signals a deeper exploration of connection and understanding.

This marks IVE’s first release since their second EP, IVE SWITCH, in April 2024, making it a significant comeback after nine months. Ahead of the full album drop, a pre-release title track will debut on January 13, adding to the anticipation.

The announcement comes as IVE concludes a whirlwind year filled with achievements. Since October 2023, the group embarked on their first world tour, performing 37 concerts across 19 countries in Asia, the Americas, Europe, and South America. They played to an impressive audience of over 420,000 fans, with sold-out shows at iconic venues like KSPO Dome in Seoul and Tokyo Dome in Japan.

In August, IVE further solidified their global presence by performing at major music festivals, including Lollapalooza Chicago in the United States and Summer Sonic 2024 in Japan. Their performances earned widespread attention from domestic and international media, cementing their status as a leading force in K-pop.

Today, IVE will also perform as a complete group at SBS-TV’s Gayo Daejeon. Notably, leader An Yu Jin will host the show for the fourth consecutive year, further showcasing the group’s versatility and influence.

As IVE prepares to release IVE EMPATHY, their achievements over the past year highlight a trajectory of growth, both musically and globally. With their ability to balance artistic evolution and commercial success, IVE continues to set the stage for an impactful 2025.

Sayart / Kelly.K, pittou8181@gmail.com