K-pop girl group RESCENE has unveiled their third mini-album "lip bomb" on Tuesday, continuing their unique fragrance-themed musical identity with a berry-scented concept that combines sweetness with impact. The five-member group, consisting of Woni, Liv, Minami, May, and Zena, presented their latest work during a media showcase at Myunghwa Live Hall in Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, just hours before the official album release.
Since their debut in 2024, RESCENE has built a distinctive sonic identity by connecting each release to specific scents and fragrances. Their February track "Glow Up" introduced a soap-fresh charm to listeners, while July's "Dearest" referenced summery grass aromas. The new "lip bomb" album pushes this scent-themed concept forward with an innovative twist that blends the softness of lip balm with the explosive nature of bursting fragrance.
"Our music is meant to wrap around listeners gently like berry-scented lip balm," explained leader Woni during the showcase. "We wanted to sweeten someone's day the moment they hear our songs." The album title symbolizes both a berry-sweet lingering effect and the signature charm that RESCENE aims to leave with their audience.
The mini-album features five carefully crafted tracks, led by dual title songs "Heart Drop" and "Bloom," followed by "Love Echo," "Hello XO," and "MVP." Each song is built around a different berry motif, creating a cohesive sensory experience throughout the record. "Heart Drop" is tied to cranberry, "Bloom" to blackberry, "Love Echo" to raspberry, "Hello XO" to strawberry, and "MVP" to blueberry, establishing a subtle yet meaningful thread across the entire album.
The members described their connection between scent and sound as a powerful emotional trigger that enhances the listening experience. "When I smell something, I sometimes remember the music I listened to at that time, and when I hear certain songs, I can remember the scent of that period of my life," shared member Minami. "Both music and fragrance can bring memories back instantly, and I think that is their shared power."
Among the two title tracks, "Bloom" carries a compelling coming-of-age storyline about blossoming at one's own pace and moving toward moments that feel long overdue. The track features bright K-pop girl-group beats and a soaring climax designed to give listeners motivation and encouragement. "'Bloom' feels like the wonder of life coming alive," explained member May. "It is that moment that happens when each person writes their own story in their own space, and suddenly everything starts to make sense."
Member Liv added that "Bloom" became a source of inspiration throughout their comeback preparations. "We kept playing 'Bloom' in the car while traveling between events. Remembering the music-video shoot and all the content we filmed really gave us strength. We were counting down the days until we could finally let fans hear it."
Meanwhile, the pre-release track "Heart Drop," unveiled on November 6, focuses on the gradual sensation of falling in love through hypnotic melodies and repeated English lines. "It has that signature RESCENE dreamy vibe and an addictive sweetness, so we chose it as the pre-release track," Liv explained. "The response was so good that it made us even more excited for how listeners would react to 'Bloom.'"
The showcase marked the group's first full press appearance since becoming the subject of unfounded abuse allegations in September. During a livestream, a scream heard from outside the room where May was broadcasting led to online speculation about possible staff mistreatment of the members. May later clarified through a fan platform that the group maintains an equal working relationship with their company, The Muse Entertainment, which also warned of legal action against the spread of false information.
When asked about the situation during the showcase, the members responded with humor rather than discomfort. "It was something we could have just laughed off, so we never imagined it would become this big," Woni said. "Even after the explanation went out, it spread farther than we expected. No one needs to worry. We are happy."
With "lip bomb," RESCENE continues to sharpen the sensory-driven storytelling that has defined their early career, leaning deeper into a unique concept that blurs the lines between scent, mood, and sound. "We hope this album stays with people in the routines of everyday life," concluded Woni. "It has its own energy, and if it lifts someone the way it lifted us, that would mean a lot."
