Entertainment

(G)I-DLE are ‘Tomboys’ in their first full album comeback

First full album release since debut in 2018

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The fast-filling music video views and online music streams (plus the strong album sales) are enough to say (G)I-DLE is ready to slay!

With almost 28 million NEVERLANDs following them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok, millions of streams in Spotify and Apple Music, and amassing over a billion of views on YouTube, there’s no doubt that (G)I-DLE [여자(아이들)] is one of the hottest K-Pop acts not just in South Korea, but in the global Hallyu (한류 / Korean Wave) scene as well.

Who is (G)I-DLE?

For starters, the group is a multi-national K-Pop girl group act composed of two Koreans together with Chinese, Taiwanese, and Thai members. Overall, they’re five in the group with members Miyeon (미연/K), Minnie (민니/T), Soyeon (소연/K), Yuqi (유기/C), and Shuhua (슈화/T).

They’re from CUBE Entertainment which is also one of the biggest entertainment agencies in South Korea and home to other popular K-Pop acts such as CLC, BTOB, PENTAGON, LIGHTSUM, and formerly hit groups 4MINUTE (with HyunA) and BEAST.

They’re legendary enough as most of you might have already heard their hit songs including their debut song LATATA, as well as other releases like Oh My God, HANN, HWAA, LION, and even the hit collaboration song of K/DA’s POP/STARS featuring members Miyeon and Soyeon.

Room of firsts

Ever since the release of ‘HWAA‘ last January 2021, the girls are ready to take over the stage again after a year of hiatus. (G)I-DLE has put in a lot of effort in making their long-time break meaningful.

‘[I NEVER DIE]’ is the group’s first full album release since their debut in 2018 with previous releases just mostly singles and EPs. It’s also their first comeback this 2022.

With the uncanny album title, it still has a strong meaning to it. As there is no end to the genre of (G)I-DLE, their musical journey will also continue endlessly. This album comprises a total of nine (9) tracks with various genres ranging from alternative rock, pop, R&B, and hip-hop:

  1. TOMBOY (Title Track)
  2. Never Stop Me
  3. VILLAIN DIES
  4. ALREADY
  5. POLAROID
  6. ESCAPE
  7. LIAR
  8. MY BAG
  9. TOMBOY (CD only)

 

Here’s also a special video of their side track ‘MY BAG’

Unfortunately, this is also their first release as a 5-member group especially with the withdrawal of their former member Soojin from the group last August 2021.

Being a ‘TOMBOY’ isn’t a bad thing

While the term “tomboy” is coined more for its derogatory term against “boyish-acting” women, the title track ‘TOMBOY’ reveals more of (G)I-DLE’s bold and confident attitude. Those on-the-point lyrics “I’m not a doll” and “Just me I-DLE” further prove that the members have peculiar yet daring charms.

Together with each of the member’s unique voices accompanied with rough and magnificent instrumental, the song is both mood-heightening and addictive. And with the music video showing the rebellious heroic sides of the members rather than being the cliché heroine who sheds tears for love, it shows that the song is meant to stand up and don’t end up getting fooled and being hurt.

Early Stage Pass

During the online media showcase held before the official comeback release at 6PM KST (Korean Standard Time), (G)I-DLE performed their latest comeback song to us live.

They have also answered some of the sought-after questions.

Unlike past comebacks where Soyeon is the member who works behind their song and album production, Minnie and Yuqi have also helped her this time in making their first full-length album more meaningful. She was even touched that her members understood what she meant to say even if she didn’t say anything.

Minnie has participated in the production of ‘ALREADY’ and ‘ESCAPE’. Yuqi even encouraged her members to try different vocal styles than their usual ones.

When asked, the members said they love all songs in the album but other than ‘TOMBOY’, ‘LIAR’ and ‘ESCAPE’ are also in their A-list.

(L > R) Minnie, Miyeon, Soyeon, Yuqi, Shuhua

And if you notice the subtle graffiti-styled “G” in their group logo that’s a little bit hard to see, it symbolizes that the group wants to get rid of any prejudices — just like in the ‘TOMBOY’ comeback track itself. The best words to describe this new album, it says “Just Me”.

With their former member’s departure, they have honestly thought that they’ve debuted again. They completed this album with the thought of showing their growth as a group. All members of (G)I-DLE want this album to be memorable to the fandom.

Wrapping the showcase up, the members of (G)I-DLE has promised that if they’ll win during their comeback promotions, fans get to decide what concept they’ll do for their special video.

And just like how confident the (G)I-DLE is with their latest comeback release, I think NEVERLANDs (like me) are confident enough that they can fulfill that dream for the girls. We just have to wait for their first music show win with ‘TOMBOY’ once they perform it live on-stage.

And as GadgetMatch’s in-house K-Pop insider, I can simply say I’ve been a Neverland since debut. It’s more evident when I mentioned them before here twice, specifically in the Now Playing Volume 3 article 😉

Entertainment

May 2024 movie checklist: Back to Black, The Fall Guy, IF, more

Plan your next movie trip

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May 2024 Movies

Summer season has been nothing short of scorching hot so far. One of the best ways to cool down? Sit comfortably inside a cozy cinema and enjoy watching a movie. To help you plan your next movie trip with friends, family, your loved ones, or even just alone, here are May 2024’s upcoming titles.

There are lots of movies to choose from, covering different genres like action thriller, comedy, horror, and drama. from family-friendly comedies to nerve-wracking horrors, from an Amy Winehouse biopic to the latest installment in a popular franchise, May 2024’s lineup has it all.

Feel free to chow down on popcorn and flush it with ice-cold soda if you want to.

The Fall Guy (May 1)

Ryan Gosling, Emily Blunt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Hannah Waddingham, Winston Duke, and Stephanie Hsu team up for an action comedy film loosely based on the 1980s TV series of the same name.

Gosling plays protagonist Colt Seavers, a seasoned stuntman who has endured a near career-ending accident. Colt’s ex-girlfriend, Jody Moreno, is played by Blunt. Moreno is working with Taylor-Johnson’s character Tom Ryder for her directorial debut. However, Tom goes missing, and that’s where Colt volunteers to find the actor whom he apparently had also doubled a long time ago.

SEE ALSO: The Fall Guy kicks off Ryan Gosling’s post-Ken life to a great start

Tarot (May 1)

Filipino-American Jacob Batalon returns to the big screen, this time headlining a supernatural horror film. His character is part of a college group of friends, including Avantika, Harriet Slater, and Adain Bradley.

Like how most horror film stories develop, the group commits a reckless mistake when they violate the sacred rule of Tarot readings. Unknowingly, they unleash unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death to escape the future foretold in their readings.

IF (May 15)

Real-life couple John Krasinski (writer, director) and Emily Blunt are back, this time exchanging thriller for a family-friendly live-action comedy. They are joined by a star-studded ensemble that includes Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Steve Carell, George Cloonney, Matt Damon, Bradley Cooper, and Blake Lively.

IF is about Blunt’s character who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends. She embarks on a magical adventure with that power to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids.

Monkey Man (May 15)

Dev Patel, who played Jamal in the revered Slumdog Millionaire film, makes his directorial debut in this action thriller. Monkey Man is about a man’s quest for vengeance against corrupt leaders who murdered his mother and victimize the poor and powerless.

Also the main protagonist Kid, Patel takes on the role of a vengeful monkey mask-wearing grown up who wants to exact revenge on Baba Shakti. As Monkey Man is also co-produced by Patel, it features a predominantly Indian cast in key roles in a story set in the South Asian country.

Back to Black (May 15, Ayala exclusive)

Back to Black is a celebration of the most iconic homegrown star of the 21st century. The film chronicles the life and music of the late Amy Winehouse. Viewers will get to know more about Winehouse’s family background, her path to success, as well as her demons. Marisa Abela stars as Winehouse in the powerful tribute to a once-in-a-generation talent.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (May 22)

The fifth installment of the Mad Max franchise takes viewers back in time with a spin-off and prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road. The film puts focus on a young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy). She is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Furiosa needs to survive many trials as she plots a way back home through the Wasteland.

The Garfield Movie (May 29)

Lastly, everyone’s favorite Monday-hating, lasagna-loving cat is back for another outdoor adventure. Voiced by Chris Pratt, Garfield has a new journey to undergo in this animated film. This, after an unexpected reunion with his father Vic (Samuel L. Jackson). The fresh new story puts more focus on Garfield, Odie, and Vic, instead of him with Jon and Liz.

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Transformers One trailer: Get to know Optimus Prime, Megatron’s origin stories

In cinemas September 18

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Transformers One

Paramount Pictures has released the trailer for Transformers One, the upcoming latest installment of the Transformers film franchise.

Before fans get excited for the Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover, this animated film focuses first on Optimus Prime’s relationship with his adversary, Megatron.

The origin story is set in Cybertron, long before the transformers land on earth in the chronological timeline.

The trailer reveals Optimus Prime’s previous name, Orion Pax. On the other hand, Megatron was previously known by D-16.

Joined by Elita-1 and Bumblebee, the two main protagonists journey to Cybertron’s surface, which hasn’t been explored beforehand due to the dangers it is said to have.

On the surface, the crew realizes that right away, but are bestowed the power to transform. After some figuring, they manage to utilize this ability to defend Cybertron from intruders.

Overall, the three-minute trailer gives a lighter and funnier vibe. That’s in contrast to the previous iterations where the story is more serious from the get-go.

The transformers’ appearance also looks simpler and more toned down, giving an old school feel which is appropriate, considering this movie is set an earlier time when Cybertron was more intact.

Transformers One is showing on Philippine cinemas on September 18. The voice cast includes Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime, Brian Tyree Henry as Megatron, Keegan-Michael Key as Bumblebee, and Scarlett Johansson.

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Joker: Folie à Deux 1st trailer finally released

The world is a stage

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Joker Folie a Deux

Warner Bros. Pictures has finally released the first trailer for upcoming musical thriller Joker: Folie à Deux. The two-and-a-half minute trailer debuted at CinemaCon. The Todd Phillips masterpiece will hit the big screens in the Philippines on October 2.

Phillips’ own take on a story loosely based from famed characters from DC, Joker: Folie à Deux was originally intended to be standalone film given that it is a musical. However, it eventually became a sequel to the Academy Award-winning Joker movie from 2019. The short clip shows titular lead actor Joaquin Phoenix and, for the first time, Lady Gaga.

Joker Folie a Deux

The trailer aptly starts with Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck character in solitary confinement inside Arkham. If you can recall, the end of the 2019 movie showed the Joker walking with bloodied footprints. This means he presumably killed the therapist he was trying to tell a joke to.

Inside the asylum, Joker meets Gaga’s character Harley Quinn. This is one of the obvious changes to the iconic DC character’s origin story. The movie depicts Quinn as Joker’s fellow patient, instead of being a psychiatrist in the asylum who eventually falls in love and helps her partner in crime escape. The clip eventually transitions to the two protagonists dancing in the streets. Hal David’s “What the World Needs Now Is Love” plays along.

Joker Folie a Deux

Towards the end, Gaga then dons a red blazer with black-and-white diamond checkered top inside. It’s nowhere near the classic Harley Quinn jester costume that Margot Robbie once put on in the first Suicide Squad installment, but it’s obvious that the getup somehow takes some of those elements.

The trailer concludes with Harley Quinn telling Joker, “I wanna see the real you” as she draws the latter’s signature red lips on a glass divider separating the two. It can definitely mean that Fleck is incarcerated for that particular scene, and it could be the scene that jumpstarts the escape from Arkham. Who knows? We can only wait until October to find out.

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