[Diary Point = Reporter Choi Seung-jin] IVE's new music video "Looks Can Kill" shot straight to No. 1 on YouTube's Worldwide Music Video Trending chart immediately after its release. The video also topped the charts in six countries and regions — South Korea, Japan, the UK, France, Canada and Brazil — and had entered the charts in 34 countries and regions as of 9 a.m. on October 20.
"Looks Can Kill" is the title track of IVE's mini-album of the same name, which was pre-released on the 19th. The music video borrows visual language from superhero films, moving between behind-the-scenes set footage and in-universe action sequences enhanced with visual effects. Rather than simply having the members play heroes, the video builds on the concept that IVE itself becomes the hero.
The track also broke into the top 10 in 18 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany and Australia. Agency Starship Entertainment said the strong response emerged across multiple regions right after the pre-release.
Musically, the song is an electronic dance-pop track that blends synth-pad rhythms, heavy bass and dynamic drums. The sound expands dramatically in the final chorus after the bridge, carrying forward IVE's recurring message of self-belief and agency through a "girl hero" concept.
The mini-album of the same name will be officially released on the 26th. Having previously explored character narratives through "Cupid" and the magical-girl concept, IVE will now expand its storytelling into the superhero concept.