ITZY’s “Girls Will Be Girls” MV Review: A Rebirth of Girlhood in a Post-Apocalyptic World
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| The featured image of ITZY, originally published by Marie Claire Korea, is licensed under CC BY 3.0. |
ITZY’s Most Narrative-Driven Era Yet
On June 9, 2025, ITZY returned after an eight-month hiatus with their 10th mini-album Girls Will Be Girls. The eponymous title track’s music video marked a significant artistic leap—merging narrative cinematics with symbolic visuals and ITZY’s trademark intensity. More than just a comeback, Girls Will Be Girls serves as a thesis on female resilience, idol scrutiny, and the healing power of community.
Narrative and Themes: “Rebirth of Girlhood”
The pre-release cinematic trailer—directed by Yu Kwang-goeng—sets the emotional tone, telling the story of Ryujin, a girl with “no heartbeat.” Her emotional numbness reflects the exhaustion of adulthood, a metaphor fans linked to real-life burnout and idol pressure. The trailer culminates in Ryujin’s symbolic rebirth, declaring: “The heart starts pounding again. Now, they’ll become girls once more.”
The music video extends this storyline into a gritty, post-apocalyptic setting, where the members of ITZY fight surreal bird-like monsters with eyeballs—confirmed by JYP Entertainment to represent societal scrutiny and prejudice. This allegory adds a layer of commentary about fame, femininity, and the pressures placed on public figures.
One standout scene features Lia being rescued by her bandmates—widely interpreted as a visual metaphor for her 2023 hiatus and triumphant return, underscoring themes of unity and emotional support.
Key Quote:
“We are the strongest only when we express our true selves... and stick with each other.” — Lia
Visual Highlights: Cinematic Grandeur with Symbolic Weight
Filmed in Tbilisi, Georgia, the MV’s aesthetic is a stunning departure from past concepts. With torn clothing, stylized scars, and a bleak cityscape, the members embody survivors in a broken world—a visual metaphor for emotional and societal battle scars.
The visual tone is aggressive yet poetic, with many fans calling it “the best ITZY music video ever”. The production, featuring the use of symbolic props like the giant eyeball and the surreal monster swarm, bridges dystopian fantasy with emotional realism.
Visual MVP: The “glowing white” rebirth scene post-Ryujin’s transformation, signaling healing and hope.
Choreography: The Domino Effect of Unity
Choreographically, Girls Will Be Girls excels. The highlight is a domino-style dance break—precise, kinetic, and visually symbolic of group interdependence. The blend of contemporary movement and synchronized energy allows the choreography to reinforce the MV’s narrative of solidarity.
Pre-release content teased this choreography, helping build anticipation. By performance standards, this may be ITZY’s most refined and emotionally expressive dance sequence to date.
Musical & Vocal Delivery: ITZY’s Most Confident Era
The track itself is a relentless sonic charge, with an addictive hook and unwavering momentum. The group’s vocals were praised by fans as “their most confident and technically mature” performance yet.
The vocal layering during the chorus, combined with the dynamic shifts in tone throughout the song, reflect a group in full command of their sound and identity.
Digital Reception and Records
- 828,000 views in just 3 hours on YouTube.
- 1.4 million views for the cinematic trailer pre-release.
- 9.54M YouTube subscribers and 4.03B+ cumulative video views.
- 48 music show wins, with historical Billboard charting peaking at #34.
These early numbers and legacy achievements confirm ITZY’s sustained market relevance and fan loyalty.
Chart History Insight: ITZY’s growth is not just viral—it’s consistent, cross-era, and fan-fueled.
Fan Theories and Symbolism
The fandom dove deep into symbolism:
- Eyeballs = public surveillance / idol scrutiny
- Bird-monsters = online hate / societal judgment
- Ryujin’s arc = emotional rebirth / creative revival
Fans also connected the overarching message to “healing the inner child”, reflecting the comeback’s emotional maturity and psychological themes. Many felt the MV’s themes resonated on a personal level, particularly among young women facing similar societal expectations.
A Bold Artistic Statement with Emotional Depth
Girls Will Be Girls isn’t just another K-pop comeback—it’s a multi-layered narrative, a visual film, and a performance-driven metaphor for resilience. ITZY has successfully evolved from teen empowerment icons to narrative-driven artists, without abandoning their core identity.
This MV signals not only a new chapter but a confident assertion that ITZY is here not just to perform—but to provoke thought, tell stories, and connect deeply with their audience.
.jfif)
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