Like a Flower is the debut extended play by South Korean singer Irene. It was released by SM Entertainment on November 26, 2024, and contains eight tracks, including the lead single of the same name.
Background and release
On August 8, 2024, SM Entertainment announced in its roadmap that Irene would make her solo debut with an extended play in the fourth quarter of 2024.[1] On November 4, it was announced that Irene would release the extended play titled Like a Flower on November 26.[2] A day later, the promotional schedule was released.[3] The mood teaser videos were released on November 12,[4] November 14,[5] and November 20.[6] On November 21, the hint teaser video was released,[7] followed by the music video spoiler for "Like a Flower" a day later.[8] On November 25, the music video teaser for "Like a Flower" was released.[9] The extended play was released alongside the music video for "Like a Flower" on November 26.[10]
Composition
Like a Flower contains eight tracks. The lead single, "Like a Flower", was described as a pop dance song featuring "bright and cheerful Afro rhythm combined with a soft and dreamy piano rhythm" with lyrics containing the message of "facing life with a little courage like a flower with vitality and making yourself bloom beautifully".[11] The second track, "Summer Rain", was described as a pop ballad song featuring "heavy bass and dreamy synth rhythm" with lyrics "containing the message that if we're together, we'll get through this summer once again, keeping each other warm, even if we're shaken like daisies caught in the summer rain". The third track, "Calling Me Back", was described as a "futuristic" pop, R&B, and dance song characterized by "dreamy synths and piano lines layered over 808 bass and trap beats" with lyrics narrating "the changes and unfamiliar emotions encountered after just waking up to love".[12] The fourth track, "Strawberry Silhouette", was described as a "mid-tempo" R&B and pop dance song with lyrics "telling [the listener] to hide from [Irene] because I will become your sweet silhouette".[13]
The fifth track, "Start Line", was described as a band pop song defined by "dynamic synth bass and rich band sound" lyrics "emphasizing the importance of courage to take a step forward" and having a message that "I can always start anew on the same line with you when you need me".[12] The sixth track, "Winter Wish", was described as a pop dance song with lyrics "that brings out the excitement of winter by depicting the story of enjoying simple yet full happiness in the magic where everything in the world becomes simpler thanks to the sparkle of Christmas and the warmth of white winter".[13] The seventh track, "Ka-Ching", was described as a pop dance song featuring "cheerful bass and synth rhythm" with lyrics "depict[ing] the joy of coloring each day with your own taste and filling your life with the things you want, and the freedom of the bright and playful character provides even more pleasant energy". The last track, "I Feel Pretty", was described as a pop acoustic song with lyrics "contain[ing] a simple wish to find a comfortable and natural self in a complex world and to have that image become my never-ending romance".[14]
Promotion
Prior to the release of Like a Flower, on November 26, 2024, Irene held a live event called "Irene 'Like A Flower' Countdown Live" on YouTube, TikTok and Weverse, aimed at introducing the extended play and connecting with her fanbase.[15]
^Lee, Seung-gil (August 8, 2024). SM 4분기 라인업 전격 공개, 신인 데뷔→英 보이그룹·트롯아이돌까지 [종합] [SM 4th quarter lineup revealed, rookie debut → British boy group and Trot idol [Comprehensive]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved November 3, 2024 – via Naver.
^Han, Hae-seon (November 4, 2024). 레드벨벳 아이린, 드디어 솔로 데뷔..첫 미니앨범 'Like A Flower' 26일 발매[공식] [Red Velvet's Irene finally makes her solo debut..first mini album 'Like A Flower' released on the 26th [Official]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved November 4, 2024 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (November 5, 2024). 레드벨벳 아이린, 26일 솔로 데뷔 카운트다운...감각적 비주얼 [Red Velvet Irene, countdown to solo debut on the 26th...Sensuous visuals] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 6, 2024 – via Naver.
^Kim, Min-ji (November 12, 2024). '솔로 데뷔' 아이린, '라이크 어 플라워' 티저 공개...독보적 미모 ['Solo debut' Irene, teaser for 'Like a Flower' released...Unrivaled beauty] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Min-ji (November 20, 2024). '솔로데뷔' 레드벨벳 아이린, 활짝 피어나다 ['Solo debut' Red Velvet's Irene blooms in full bloom] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 22, 2024 – via Naver.
^Park, Ah-reum (November 25, 2024). '솔로' 아이린, 힙하게 돌아온 비주얼 여신 ['Solo' Irene, visual goddess who returns with a hip look] (in Korean). Newsen. Retrieved November 26, 2024 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-gil (November 26, 2024). "Like A Flower"...레드벨벳 아이린이라는 '꽃', 피어나다 [MD신곡] ["Like A Flower"...The 'flower' called Red Velvet Irene, blooms [MD new song]] (in Korean). My Daily. Retrieved November 26, 2024 – via Naver.
^ abPark, Seo-hyun (November 14, 2024). 레드벨벳 아이린, 첫 미니앨범 'Like A Flower'로 보여줄 多장르..26일 컴백 [Red Velvet's Irene will show multiple genres with her first mini album 'Like A Flower'..comeback on the 26th] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Retrieved November 16, 2024 – via Naver.
^ abYoo, Ji-hye (November 18, 2024). 레드벨벳 아이린, '라이크 어 플라워'로 전할 특별한 설렘 [Red Velvet Irene, special excitement to convey with 'Like a Flower'] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Retrieved November 18, 2024 – via Naver.
^Go, Seung-ah (November 19, 2024). 레드벨벳 아이린, 첫 솔로 앨범으로 미공개 2곡 정식 발표 [Red Velvet's Irene officially releases two unreleased songs from her first solo album] (in Korean). News1. Retrieved November 22, 2024 – via Naver.
