It was a sizzling 30-something degrees on the night of August 23, but that didn’t stop (G)I-DLE from firing up the AsiaWorld Arena stage. It was the first Hong Kong show for the K-pop quintet’s [iDOL] World Tour; initially scheduled to perform for two nights in the city, (G)I-DLE announced an additional show on the 23rd “due to overwhelming demand” and much to the excitement of their loyal fans, NEVERLAND. They kicked off the performance with “Super Lady”—an absolute powerhouse of a song—and for the next three hours, had the audience cheering for their every move and screaming the lyrics to songs from throughout their entire discography. 

The (G)I-DLE [iDOL] World Tour marks the group’s third world tour since their debut in 2018. Whilst jet-setting around the globe for consistently sold-out shows across Asia and beyond, (G)I-DLE also dropped “I SWAY”, an energetic summer release and their seventh extended play. We caught up with members Yuqi, Minnie, Soyeon, Miyeon and Shuhua, about their favourite aspects of touring, summer fashion, and the music they hope to someday create. 

It’s only been about a year since you were last in Hong Kong, but how did it feel to be back?

Yuqi: It was great! I was so happy to be able to meet our Hong Kong NEVERLAND again this year and show off my Cantonese skills after such a long time.

Was there anything you were looking forward to visiting or eating while you were here?

Yuqi: I was looking forward to going to Hong Kong because I really wanted to eat dim sum again! I had also wanted to visit the newly opened “World of Frozen” zone at Hong Kong Disneyland.

You are now on your third world tour as a group. What is the most challenging and rewarding part about touring?

Yuqi: The most rewarding part of the tour is being able to meet NEVERLANDs in various cities,  showing them our stage and enjoying the experience together. It is a very meaningful and rewarding experience. If there are any challenges, it would be that I need to take good care of my physical strength during the long touring period.

What is an essential item you need to have with you while on tour?

Minnie: My iPad, speaker, eye patch, earplugs, and vitamins.

What is your favourite song to perform from the [iDOL] world tour setlist, and why?

Minnie: It would be “Revenge”. We perform “Revenge” right after “Super Lady”, and it’s the first time we are performing it live at a concert. The stage is very grand and cool, so I I like it.

Your latest mini album “I SWAY” arrived just in time for summer. What inspired the songs on this release?

Soyeon: I once travelled to Bali and have such fond memories from that time. Then I thought it had been a while since we made a comeback with a bright summer song like “DUMDi DUMDi” so I started working on “Klaxon” which captures the atmosphere of a summer resort.

What is your favourite track from the 7th mini album “I SWAY”?

Soyeon: It’s “Klaxon”. I wanted to make light, summer music that everyone can enjoy. It is a song that goes well with (G)I-DLE.