On March 4, 2025, the South Korean hip-hop group YOUNG POSSE made their much-anticipated return with the debut of their special album titled COLD. The showcase, held at Yes24 Wonder Rock Hall located in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, saw members Jeong Seon-hye, Wi Yeon-jeong, Jia-na, Doeun, and Han Ji-eun take the stage to perform the album's title track and engage with fans during a Q&A session.
The album COLD was officially released on March 2, 2025, through various music streaming platforms and has already gained significant attention, with the title song making waves on Melon’s HOT 100 chart shortly after its launch. The track, titled COLD features the unique collaboration with 10CM, whose smooth vocals add depth to the song, described by the members as one addressing the emotional turbulence caused by varying temperatures.
During the showcase, leader Jeong Seon-hye encapsulated the essence of the album perfectly, stating, “This album feels like ice cream, cold but sweet.” This metaphor not only highlights the contrasting feelings the music aims to evoke but also frames YOUNG POSSE’s evolution, showcasing their foray from traditional hip-hop to incorporate elements of emotional depth and balladic beauty.
The performance of COLD marked the group's first return since their third EP Achte Delle released eight months prior. This comeback is considered significant as it showcases their growth and experimentation within their soundscape. The said track carries infectious rhythms and poignant lyricism reflecting on emotional contrasts, with the members expressing their hopes to deliver content relatable to their fans.
Wi Yeon-jeong elaborated on their themes, stating, “Our song COLD talks about the temperature difference freezing our hearts.” This concept has quite the emotional resonance, which is reinforced through soothing guitar riffs and hip-hop beats, demonstrating both their versatility and commitment to their craft.
The accompanying music video, which is being described as the group's first narrative-driven piece, stars Taiwanese actor Tseng Jing-hua, adding international flair to their project. YOUNG POSSE shared how Tseng's involvement has helped deepen the storytelling aspect of the video. Doeun noted, “I felt nervous acting for the first time, but Tseng Jing-hua helped ease my nerves by speaking Korean.” This collaboration emphasizes the embracing of new challenges and growth opportunities for the group as entertainers.
The narrative depicted within the music video involves complex emotions revolving around familial relationships, poignantly illustrated through the characters' arcs — siblings grappling with abandonment and revenge. This relatability of struggle ties back to the album's thematic core, providing listeners with various emotional touchpoints throughout the tracks. From Doeun’s first love narrative explored in Lovesstagram to the haunting feelings portrayed in Daddy Don’t Live Me, the tracks are interwoven to invite listeners on this emotional rollercoaster.
Members also emphasized the amount of hard work and thoughtfulness put behind this special album. Han Ji-eun remarked, “We prepared the music video like a movie,” reflecting their ambition to craft something immersive. Similar comments were echoed by the other members about the high standards they set for the album and its subsequent release.
Looking forward, YOUNG POSSE has plans to continue making strides across international waters. Following their successful showcase, they announced upcoming tours across twelve cities in the United States, sparked by their appearance at the HITC 2024 festival. The members expressed their aspiration to perform at prestigious festivals such as Coachella and Lollapalooza, embodying their hope to broaden their fanbase globally.
YOUNG POSSE has firmly established themselves as artists with both talent and ambition, and with COLD, they eagerly welcome the opportunity to present new sides of their artistry. With their unique concept and emotional narratives, they aim to resonate with audiences far and wide, fostering connections well beyond the realms of their music.