To start with the obvious, (G)I-dle truly sharpened their knives for this comeback — to reinvent themselves as a quintet that has no plans on stopping here. Following the loss of a member and leader Soyeon’s solo, it was only a matter of time before fans and the public alike were curious about the group’s status. Certain questions included: how will the group maintain their power and charisma onstage, how will their roles be shifted, and who will take over as the main dancer?
Comebacks preceding a long hiatus can be tricky, both in timing and approach (genre, concept, type of album, etc). We’ve seen Red Velvet first return with a very public-friendly approach with “Queendom,” before expanding on their creativity for their consecutive comeback later this month. Another example is Apink, who made their long-awaited comeback last month following Naeun’s departure into another agency. Although Naeun participated in the MV-making, she was unable to join promotions — further emphasizing the changes Apink was facing, that in which were reflected in the MV storyline.
All this to say, (G)I-dle has had a lot at stake following “Hwaa,” as all eyes would determine whether this makes or breaks the group. Thankfully, the group returned with a loud bang, reminding us not only who they are but how much potential they have left to show us. “Tomboy” was a powerful, spicy girl crush vibe that pushed the boundaries of what the group (and girl groups in general) can offer as seasoned idols of the industry. Visually and conceptually, “Tomboy” has swept some feet away this spring as they snatched the spotlight.
What catches the eye at first is clearly concept and visual execution. Every aspect — from the styling to the red color palette, the creative use of barbie dolls and the variety of editing styles — made for an MV rich in artistry and impact. Balancing the screen time with a modern representation of themselves via dolls was a stylish surprise, not to mention the “magazine page” and lollipop transitions that kept the flow of the MV going every second.
Moreover, each member worked cohesively with their sets to best present their boss attitude, striking the delicate balance between charismatic and crazy. Viewers were not only led through a solid concept, but they’ve also witnessed the group’s growth and charisma up-front. Especially since this concept and approach could’ve easily gone astray as a cliche, vanilla girl crush image — fortunately, the girls have yanked down any pre-assumptions to show us their polished colors.
Lastly, the details helped the set brim with life: the graffiti, the eyeballs, the heart-shaped lollipop, and even the vehicle license plates reading their lyrics. Each piece of the puzzle served its purpose to recreate the group’s particular vision. Beyond the genius approach to filming the members catching the eye, there were these intricate details that enhanced the production overall.
While (G)I-dle MV’s are well-known for their beautiful flair and unabashed creativity, “Tomboy” was a pleasant surprise nonetheless. Not only did it truly stick to their concept, but it also presented a new side of the group at the most perfect timing.
Considering their diversity behind previous releases such as “Uh Oh,” “Dumdi Dumdi,” “Oh My God,” and “Lion,” some may have believed it hard to keep surprising an audience conditioned to the girls’ frequent palette changes. But not only did the group reintroduce themselves as five, they redefined themselves as mature young women growing into the control they now own. Though it’s been only four years since their debut, the group has been growing exponentially with every exceptional comeback — and “Tomboy” is no exception.
Another factor to mention is their choreography as five, which has earned positive reviews for its balanced aesthetic. Visually, it definitely struck a different (and positive) chord, as it allowed more room for each member to shine — particularly during the freestyle scene starting from 2:27. In Soojin’s absence, everyone has stepped up to the role of dancing as best they can, growing into all-rounders instead. Personally, this was best seen with Yuqi and Shuhua‘s performance, which oozed with a newfound confidence that found their spot here.
Overall, (G)I-dle has done an exceptional job with a particularly crucial comeback, succeeding in returning to the scene and wholly redefining themselves as powerful artists who are ultimately here to stay. What did our fellow readers think of this comeback? Please feel free to leave your thoughts down below!
(YouTube; images via Cube Entertainment)
