ARTMS Prepares for a Soaring Comeback with 'Icarus'

The reformed group ARTMS, featuring five members from LOONA—Heejin (희진), Hasul (하슬), Kim Lip (김립), Jinsol (진솔), and Choi Ri (최리)—is ready to take flight like Icarus, overcoming past challenges. They announced their new beginning with a narrative-driven music video. On June 12, ARTMS held a showcase for their mini-album 'Club Icarus' at YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul.

After a year since their last activity with the title track 'Virtual Angel' from their first full album 'Lunar', the members expressed their excitement for their return. Heejin shared, "It’s been a year since 'Virtual Angel'. We’ve been preparing for a long time, and we want to show a fantastic stage this hot summer with all the passion we’ve put in."

The album 'Club Icarus' tells a secret club story for those who have been hurt. The title track 'Icarus' reflects the hope for healing and new beginnings, inspired by the myth of Icarus. The song features an impressive blend of rhythmic and melodic elements layered over an aesthetic piano line.

When asked how they heal from their own wounds, Kim Lip mentioned, "I feel most hurt when the members don’t reply in our group chat, but I usually find healing from them. We’re tightly knit and understand each other best. They all come running to help heal my wounds. I love my members." Heejin added, "Meeting the members always lifts my spirits when I’m feeling down," while Choi Ri humorously noted, "When I’m hurt, I tend to indulge in sad movies or songs. It’s a bit strange!"

Their performance is characterized by elegant dance lines, with Choi Ri highlighting a choreography point that involves starting with feathers. She expressed satisfaction with the dance, stating, "It’s a dance that emphasizes lines, so I researched how to showcase my body’s lines effectively. I know when to apply strength and when to hold back." Heejin, on the other hand, admitted, "I usually prefer powerful dances, but 'Icarus' is a beautiful piano piece, so dancing gracefully felt unfamiliar. Still, we prepared hard for it." The knee pads they wore also caught attention, with Choi Ri explaining, "The choreography requires a lot of knee work, so we made the knee pads fashionable."

Fans are particularly curious about their highly anticipated music video. Jinsol shared, "We were given an 80-page script and had to focus on our individual scenes. I played a character in armor and interpreted the content as I filmed. I hope fans can interpret the secrets behind why I’m in black and white."

Hasul reflected on the filming process, saying, "I was unsure how the final product would turn out. I believe it has a quality that could stand alone as a short film. We each filmed separately, and the outcome exceeded my expectations." Heejin added, "We always keep our interpretations open to avoid missing a larger message. The directors were receptive to our opinions, and we watched the rough cuts many times. Even though the 15-minute length made it hard to rewatch, we kept going back to it."

ARTMS, consisting of Heejin, Hasul, Kim Lip, Jinsol, and Choi Ri, is continuing their unique musical journey since their reformation in December 2023. They aim to redefine themselves beyond being just idols, positioning themselves as one of the most aesthetic groups in K-pop. Hasul stated, "We need to walk our own path. We want to show an artistic side that differs from typical idols. We’ll present our own world that doesn’t follow trends, which is reflected in our music video."

She further explained, "Idols are said to have an average lifespan, but we have many narratives to share. We believe we can show a lot regardless of age or experience, which is what makes us artists."

As they prepare for their June comeback, Hasul emphasized their strength in following their own path, saying, "I think our outfits are divine, and the members are beautiful." Heejin added, "While the song is important, the narrative adds another layer of charm."

In closing, Jinsol expressed, "This is a new beginning for us, and we want to rise like the lyrics suggest, showcasing our rebirth. We aim to soar high and achieve first place." Kim Lip echoed this sentiment, stating, "We haven’t reached first place as ARTMS yet, so we want to achieve that and meet more fans through tours."

ARTMS will release their new album 'Club Icarus' on June 13 at 1 PM, connecting with global fans.