IVE never settles for a straightforward love song. With XOXZ, they build an entire dreamscape. The title track of their fourth mini album IVE SECRET is a neologism, pulling from “XOXO” (hugs and kisses) and “Z” (the universal symbol for sleep). Together, it means: “I love you, good night. See you in my dreams.” It’s affectionate, but there’s mystery in it too. An invitation into a secret world where the rules of love are rewritten.
The Sound of Mischief
Musically, XOXZ pulls away from IVE’s glossy pop tracks and leans into something more atmospheric. Heavy bass and brass underpin the beat, while minimalist vocals and lower-register rap cut through like whispers in the dark.
It’s seductive without being overwhelming, which makes the dream world they’re creating feel both intimate and dangerous. The production feels like you’ve walked into a room lit only by candlelight, glowing, yet filled with shadows.
The Evil Cupid Concept
Cupid is usually soft, pure, and playful, but IVE twists that image into something darker and more mischievous. Their Cupids are armed not with arrows of self-love and chaos. In IVE SECRET, love isn’t always gentle. It can disrupt, transform, or even turn inward.
By aiming their arrows at themselves, the members embody self-love, self-definition, and personal power. It’s not about waiting for love to happen. It’s about owning it, even the messier, hidden sides.
Contrasts and Symbolism
The song thrives on contradiction. Lyrics, music video, and choreography flip between elegance and mischief. One moment, the members spell out L-O-V-E with graceful hand movements. The next, they’re twisting hair and striding forward with bold, almost taunting energy. This isn’t Cupid as a matchmaker but a trickster who decides who gets love, and on what terms.
A Dreamlike World
The “Z” in XOXZ signifies how important dreams are for this concept. “I love you, good night, see you in my dreams” hints at love continuing beyond reality, in a secret dreamspace where boundaries don’t exist.
The music video mirrors this surreal tone. Members perform atop a moving truck, framed in fantastical lighting and surreal set pieces. Wonyoung actually watches herself bowling with the other members, implying she’s having a lucid dream. Love becomes something fluid, unstable, and magical. It’s a fantasy you step into when the world falls asleep.
With XOXZ, IVE shows how a love song doesn’t need to be sweet to be powerful. With their “Evil Cupid”concept, they encourage listeners to redefine what love means to them…whether it’s romantic, aimed inward, or somewhere in between.
