South Korean girl group i-dle is set to make their first comeback in eight months with the digital single "Mono" featuring British rapper Skaiwater, launching on Jan. 27.
Cube Entertainment revealed the news on Jan. 20 with a teaser video titled "Play the whole world in Mono," which showed a dramatic shift in the girl group's visual direction. The new single marks a departure from the bright, colorful concepts that i-dle has become known for over their career, introducing a minimalist aesthetic instead.
The monochromatic concept reflects a more experimental artistic approach for the five-member group, which includes members Miyeon, Minnie, Soyeon, Yuqi, and Shuhua, according to allkpop.
According to the teaser materials, the song was composed by a production team credited as "icebluerabbit" alongside Daily, Shannon Bae, Kameron Glasper, and Likey, with lyrics by "icebluerabbit," Shannon Bae, and Skaiwater.
The collaboration with Skaiwater, a UK-based rapper known for his distinctive vocal tone and fashion sense, is expected to introduce a fresh global sound to i-dle's musical catalog. Industry observers anticipate the partnership will appeal to an international audience while maintaining the group's creative identity, k-hallyunews reported.
"Mono" is the sixth digital single in i-dle's discography and comes after the release of their eighth mini-album "We Are" in May 2025. The single will be available on all major music platforms starting at 6 p.m. Korean Standard Time on Jan. 27.
This comeback arrives ahead of i-dle's upcoming "Syncopation" world tour, which begins Feb. 21 and 22 in Seoul at KSPO Dome, with additional stops planned across Asia, Australia, and beyond.
The tour timing suggests "Mono" will serve as the promotional launch for this major touring schedule, keeping the group active and engaged with fans heading into spring, as per the Korea JoongAng Daily.
