Kwon Eun-bi drops 'DEJAVU' at RBW, 1 year 4 months since last release, eyes IZ*ONE reunion
Kwon Eun-bi returns with digital single 'DEJAVU' on September 3, her first release under RBW Entertainment, and speaks candidly about music recognition and an IZ*ONE 10th-anniversary reunion.
1 year 4 months, a new label, and a point to prove
Kwon Eun-bi is back. DEJAVU dropped September 3 under RBW Entertainment—her first release in approximately one year and four months.
She skipped Waterbomb this summer. The reason was straightforward: "The timing of my agency transfer coincided with it, so I judged that introducing myself to the public through a new album first was the priority rather than the event." No festival circuit. Just the music.
Beyond 'Summer Queen'
Years of 'Summer Queen' and 'Waterbomb Goddess' tags haven't pushed her away. "Such titles are very grateful medals and I have no intention of deliberately breaking away from them or letting them go," she said. She wants to build on them instead—specifically with something tied to her voice and sound rather than a festival image. She named "honey voice" as the kind of descriptor she's chasing.
The harder part came when she assessed her own discography. "I became known for popularity, but aside from 'Underwater' there are no other well-known songs. I have a strong thirst to be more recognized for my music." DEJAVU is her answer. "Through this new song, I want to be loved not just for simple event-driven buzz but for the stage and the music itself."
On the personal side: "Every time I fell, I endured it with the mindset that now there's only getting back up." Her definition of success in the industry isn't a chart number. "Big public success is good, but maintaining a healthy mentality and consistently working for a long time without incidents is the real success and goal in the entertainment industry."
The IZ*ONE reunion conversation is ongoing
Former IZONE leader Kwon Eun-bi confirmed that a reunion is more than fan speculation. Watching IOI's stage together prompted the group to talk. She said the members discussed releasing an album when they hit their 10th anniversary. "If the situation allows, we continue to have positive conversations about coming together," she said, adding that she wants the reunion to happen while everyone can "actively enjoy" it. (The IZONE 10th anniversary would fall in 2028.) As the former leader, she said she feels a sense of responsibility to push it forward if it happens.
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