South Korean girl group i-dle is set to make their first comeback in eight months with digital single “Mono” featuring British rapper Skaiwater, out January 27.
Cube Entertainment revealed the news on January 20 with a teaser video titled “Play the World in Mono,” which showcased a dramatic change in the girl group’s visual direction. The new single marks a move away from the bright and colorful concepts that i-dle have become known for throughout their career, instead introducing a minimalist aesthetic.
The monochromatic concept reflects a more experimental artistic approach for the five-member group, which includes members Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi and Shuhua, according to allkpop.
According to the teaser material, the song was composed by a production team credited as “icebluerabbit” alongside Daily, Shannon Bae, Kameron Glasper and Likey, with lyrics by “icebluerabbit”, Shannon Bae and Skaiwater.
The collaboration with Skaiwater, a UK-based rapper known for his distinctive vocal tone and fashion sense, is expected to introduce a new global sound to i-dle’s music catalogue. Industry observers predict the partnership will attract an international audience while maintaining the group’s creative identity, k-hallyunews reported.
“Mono” is the sixth digital single in i-dle’s discography and arrives following the release of their eighth mini-album “We Are” in May 2025. The single will be available on all major music platforms starting 6 PM Korean Standard Time on January 27.
This return comes ahead of i-dle’s upcoming “Syncopation” world tour, which kicks off February 21 and 22 in Seoul at the KSPO Dome, with additional stops planned in Asia, Australia and beyond.
The timing of the tour suggests that “Mono” will serve as a promotional launch for this major touring schedule, keeping the group active and engaged with fans ahead of the spring, as scheduled. Korea JoongAng Daily.
