I-DLE signaled the return of a “queen” era, sweeping three music shows.
On the Feb. 8 broadcast of SBS’s "Inkigayo," wrapped promotions for their digital single “Mono (Feat. skaiwater).” Over two weeks, the track drew praise across music, performance, and content, closing out a new chapter.
I-DLE took back-to-back wins on Mnet’s "M Countdown" (Feb. 5), KBS2’s "Music Bank" (Feb. 6), and SBS’s "Inkigayo" (Feb. 8), proving the song’s heat. This marks the group’s first time reaching No. 1 on a terrestrial music show with a digital single, and fan support helped them clinch a triple crown.
Their self-produced content also caught fire. After a buzzed-about mega crew performance video, the group surprise-dropped a character-themed dance video to celebrate their wins―and it took off. Leaning into a “black-and-white” concept, the members’ bold transformations delivered plenty of laughs.
Charts rose in tandem with the TV run. The song held No. 1 on YouTube Korea’s Trending Music and Trending Music Videos, while streams kept climbing on domestic platforms like Melon―hinting at long-term hit potential following “Fate.”
Their impact in the Chinese-speaking market stood out, too. They topped QQ Music’s Digital Album Best-Seller Weekly Chart for two straight weeks and held firm at No. 1 on Tencent Music’s Korea chart. On QQ Music’s music video chart, even “Mono (Feat. skaiwater)” broadcast clips lined up in succession, an unusual feat.
UK outlet CLASH praised “Mono (Feat. skaiwater)” for its “emotion that reveals the beauty of space and groove.” US pop culture magazine Stardust lauded its “intentional minimalism,” adding that by “pulling back,” the song leaves more room for the members’ vocals and unique colors, ultimately becoming a hopeful anthem built on self-acceptance and solidarity.
With a triple crown under their belt, I-DLE will kick off their world tour with “2026 i-dle WORLD TOUR [Syncopation] IN SEOUL” at KSPO DOME in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Feb. 21?22. A newly arranged setlist of hits and the group’s commanding performances promise special memories.
The tour continues at Taipei Dome on March 7, where tickets sold out all seats right after sales opened. Additional cities and dates will be announced later.
Photos= Mnet’s M Countdown, KBS2’s Music Bank, MBC’s Show! Music Core, SBS’s Inkigayo, Cube Entertainment
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)