fromis_9 puts members' stories at heart of new album 'Glow ME'
The K-pop group’s first full-length album in three years features all members as songwriters and composers, with "Vitamin ME" leading a more personal sound.
The members of K-pop girl group fromis_9 are returning not only as singers but as songwriters and composers in the group's second full-length album “Glow ME.”
“Every single one of us participated in song production,” member Song Ha-young said when asked what sets the upcoming work apart from previous works. “It truly represents who we are because our thoughts, experiences and minds are naturally woven into it.”
“Glow ME,” set for release on Tuesday, is the first full-length album in about three years after the release of its first full-length album “Unlock My World” in 2023.
“The album shares a story of finding myself through fresh encounters with new and various people and heartbreak and growth accompanied in that journey,” said member Park Ji-won. “It delivers a message that those emotions help us shine and that embracing your true self is the brightest light of all.”
Amongst the album’s 10 songs, “Vitamin ME” is the lead track.
“The title track presents the identity of our group but also showcases fresh charm,” said member Baek Ji-heon. “As we entered our ninth year since our debut, we no longer want to play safe.”
Besides the title track, the members shared their favorites from the forthcoming album, which experiments with new genres.
Girl group fromis_9ASND
“I would pick ‘Cold Blood,’” said member Lee Na-gyung. “It is the first style of song that I have ever tried. Although it was quite challenging to record, I am satisfied with the final results.”
Lee Chae-young also picked “Cold Blood,” the first song she participated in writing.
Park singled out “Teacher,” on which she worked on both song composition and lyric writing.
“It is particularly meaningful as it is the first time venturing into the Afrobeat genre, a style I have long wanted to explore,” Park said.
The quintet hopes the new album will create lasting memories with its fans while returning the love and happiness they received from them.
“This summer, fromis_9 hopes to become a vitamin-like presence that empowers those who listen to our music,” Lee Chae-young said.
fromis_9 was formed in 2017 through Mnet's audition program "Idol School" and debuted the following year with "Glass Shoes" (2018) as a nine-member group. It became a quintet after Jang Gyu-ri’s departure in 2022 and three other members left the group after the management contract with Pledis Entertainment expired in 2024. The girl group is best known for the hit tracks "Love Bomb" (2018), "Fun!" (2019) and "We Go" (2021).
