QWER Returns with New Album 'I'm on Your Side, Even if the Whole World is Dissonant'

The beloved girl band QWER has made a highly anticipated return, aiming for their fourth hit. On June 9, they held a showcase for their mini-album '난 네 편이야, 온 세상이 불협일지라도' (I'm on Your Side, Even if the Whole World is Dissonant) at Yes24 Wonder Hall in Seoul's Seodaemun District, sharing insights about their new release.

This marks QWER's comeback after approximately nine months since their second mini-album '알고리즘스 블러썸' (Algorithms Blossom) was released in September 2024. Member 쵸단 expressed, "We have prepared a wonderful performance along with our music. Please look forward to it," while 마젠타 shared her excitement, saying, "I am thrilled to show you an amazing stage."

Hina added, "Today marks the start of our new album activities. We have worked hard for nine months on this album, and I hope it receives a lot of love from everyone," and 시연 noted, "This album feels like a moment where a page of QWER's story is completed. I hope the music video and many of the tracks provide comfort and empathy."

Since their debut with '디스코드' (Discord) in 2023, QWER has consistently topped major domestic music charts with hits like '고민중독' (Obsessed with Worries) and '내 이름 맑음' (My Name is Clear). Fans are eager to see how they will further solidify their title as the 'favorite girl band' with this new album.

The new release, '난 네 편이야, 온 세상이 불협일지라도', encapsulates the bright and hopeful growth narrative that QWER has built, showcasing the four members' commitment to an unchanging future despite the dissonance they have faced together.

마젠타 explained, "Like the album title suggests, I wanted to convey a message of believing in dreams and moving forward in a world that seems dissonant."

쵸단 added, "If you line up all the physical albums we've released so far, they spell out the title of this album. This is a message we've been preparing since our debut, and we want to share it with everyone. We even shorten it to '난네온불' among ourselves because the phrase is quite long."

마젠타 continued, "Releasing our fourth album marks the beginning of completing our narrative. It’s both a start and an end, and we wanted to begin and finish beautifully. We put a lot of effort into every aspect, from practice time to everything else."

Notably, all members contributed to the songwriting, showcasing their musical growth. Hina shared, "I asked the older members for songwriting tips, and they told me to write like I’m composing a letter, which worked well. Even while busy with our overseas tour, we worked on the album in our accommodations. Our producer was very encouraging, and many ideas came from our daily lives."

시연 reflected, "I feel like I've grown a step further by releasing my first self-composed song. I participated in the work again this time, and it feels like we’ve been immersed in songwriting, composing, and performing as a band. I think I've grown a bit more this time, and I want to keep working hard, so I’d give myself a score of 20,000 points."

The title track '눈물참기' (Holding Back Tears) is about taking a step forward towards a hopeful tomorrow, even amidst overwhelming sadness. The song features QWER's signature upbeat and refreshing band sound, complemented by relatable lyrics. All members participated in the songwriting, enhancing its authenticity.

쵸단 noted, "Some might think it’s a ballad just from the title, but the performance is powerful while still conveying a lyrical message." Hina recalled, "As soon as we heard '눈물참기', we all felt it had to be the title track. I think we became more attached to the song and worked harder on it."

The new album also captures the essence of summer. 마젠타 mentioned, "The key lyrics of the title track revolve around rain, which often falls in summer. I believe the energetic band sound and lyrical elements reflect the refreshing atmosphere of summer well," while Hina added, "The other tracks also have a refreshing vibe, making them great for summer listening."

The music video depicts QWER navigating feelings of anxiety and helplessness in their lives while holding onto hope for the future and persevering through each day. The powerful band performance in the rain is expected to evoke strong emotions. Hina commented, "The rain captures a refreshing feeling and the essence of summer well," and 시연 noted, "The video captures my journey leading up to the concert, so I think listeners will find it enjoyable."

Hina expressed her excitement about performing in the rain, saying, "I had never played in the rain before, so it was really fun and fascinating. Each member had a sad story to portray in their roles, and I think we all executed our performances well. I want to commend everyone for their efforts."

Recently, QWER has also performed at major domestic festivals. 마젠타 recalled, "The Pentaport Rock Festival was the most memorable for me. We prepared many tracks, and I hope the audience enjoys them. I would love to perform overseas anytime, especially at Coachella alongside many artists."

Hina added, "When our band first started, we were very interested in subculture and enjoyed Japanese culture and band-related aspects. We want to improve our skills and become a global girl band that reaches not just Japan but the entire world."

The journey of bringing together four members from different paths into one band has not been easy. Nevertheless, QWER has achieved three consecutive hits in less than two years and is now aiming for a fourth success with '눈물참기'.

시연 stated, "We each lived different lives before becoming one band. Initially, we used the word dissonance when releasing our album, but we depicted a narrative of creating harmony from that dissonance. We want to work even harder and share even more beautiful harmonies in the future."

쵸단 reflected, "We are four different individuals, some of whom are new to music, some who have dreamed of it, and others who have had some experience. When we first practiced together, we wondered if we could succeed, but we are so grateful for the love we've received, which has allowed us to participate in award ceremonies. That growth process is part of our identity."

Finally, 마젠타 expressed, "If I can cautiously hope, I want to aim for number one on all music charts. I hope our songs are added to many people's playlists," while Hina added, "I want to hear the term Q-pop. I hope that when people listen to a song, they think, 'This sounds like a QWER song,' leading to the emergence of the term 'Q-pop' as our unique genre."

QWER's mini-album '난 네 편이야, 온 세상이 불협일지라도' was released on June 9 at 6 PM across various music streaming platforms.