ITZY 'Imaginary Friend' (2024)

What is ITZY Imaginary Friend?

"Imaginary Friend" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group ITZY for their ninth extended play, Gold. JYP Entertainment released the track as the EP's second single on October 15, 2024. Ryan S. Jhun produced the song alongside James Daniel Lewis, who contributed to the composition and arrangement. Sorana Pacurar participated in the composition, while Jun Seo and Hwan Yang handled additional arrangement work.

The track is characterized as a pop-dance song that combines vintage pop guitar, acoustic band sound, and vocal harmonies with mellow tones. This softer melodic approach incorporates R&B elements and features rock-tinged instrumental sequences in the post-chorus sections. The vintage pop guitars and band percussion create texture despite the gentler sonic landscape, while vocal processing adds an ethereal quality to the harmonies.

Lyrically, "Imaginary Friend" explores the ambiguous boundary of whether the imaginary friend who appears in dreams to protect someone represents an angel, the devil, or oneself. The lyrics maximize listener imagination through this conceptual ambiguity, presenting the imaginary friend as both protector and psychological companion. Following two weeks of promotion for the lead single "Gold" on music programs, ITZY began promoting "Imaginary Friend" with performances on KBS's Music Bank on November 1 and SBS's Inkigayo on November 3.

Background and release of Imaginary Friend

Announcement of GOLD mini album

JYP Entertainment announced ITZY's forthcoming album on July 9, 2024, confirming an October 2024 release. This announcement followed Lia's return to group activities on July 8, 2024, marking the resumption of full five-member operations after her hiatus focused on anxiety recovery.

Track listing reveal

The agency confirmed the extended play's title as Gold on September 13, 2024, simultaneously announcing October 15 as the release date. The promotional schedule and complete track listing were disclosed on the same day, identifying both "Gold" and "Imaginary Friend" as lead singles. The album comprises eleven tracks, including two new title tracks, four original songs ("Bad Girls R Us", "Supernatural", the fifth-anniversary fan song "FIVE", and "VAY" featuring Stray Kids member Changbin), plus final five-member versions of previously released tracks.

Preview and song release

A concept trailer premiered on September 30, 2024. Subsequently, on October 7, preview clips featuring instrumental snippets of six new tracks, including "Imaginary Friend", were released. The song officially debuted alongside the Gold extended play on October 15, 2024.

English version release

An English-language adaptation of the track was released on October 25, 2024.

Imaginary Friend song composition and musical style

Producers and composers

Ryan S. Jhun served as the primary producer, with James Daniel Lewis handling compositional and arrangement responsibilities. Sorana Pacurar contributed to the songwriting process, while Jun Seo and Hwan Yang managed additional arrangement elements.

Musical elements and genre

The track exhibits a dreamy and mysterious tonal quality throughout its runtime. The melodic R&B approach features compelling vocal melodies that demonstrate the group's range. Band percussion provides rhythmic foundation alongside vintage pop guitar textures, while the post-chorus hook incorporates rock influences that intensify the sonic landscape. Vocal processing techniques create layered harmonies that contribute to the song's ethereal atmosphere.

Lyrical themes and meaning

The opening verses establish the conceptual framework: "Who am I? The revolution I was born inside your head / Different shapes of your illusion / Oh, I can be the dream you always had". Subsequently, the second verse continues: "Who am I? The evolution I was born inside your dream / Trust me, I'm not a delusion / Oh, I'm everything you wanna be". The lyrics address mental struggles and psychological boundaries, exploring how internal companions can occupy space within consciousness. This thematic approach maximizes listener interpretation of the protective figure's identity.

Imaginary Friend lyrics and English version

The original Korean lyrics incorporate both Korean and English phrases, opening with existential questioning through "Who am I? The revolution" before establishing the narrator's origin within fantasy and illusion. The verses progress from "hwansang soge taeeona" (born in fantasy) to describing the entity as existing within imagination and memory. Korean phrases like "duryeoweo ma" (don't be afraid) appear in the pre-chorus sections, contrasting with the English chorus hook "You know, I'm your imaginary friend".

Ryan S. Jhun wrote the lyrics for both versions, maintaining thematic consistency across languages. The English adaptation released on October 25, 2024 preserves the structural framework while replacing Korean verses with direct English translations. In brief, both versions contain identical metaphorical imagery: "I'm a fallen angel," "lucky spark," and "monsters on your ceiling" references remain consistent.

The English version lyrics flow from "I was born inside your head / Different shapes of your illusion" through "I was born inside your dream / Trust me, I'm not a delusion," maintaining the philosophical ambiguity present in the Korean original. Similarly, both versions utilize the refrain "it's you and I until the end" as the closing lyrical statement.

Imaginary Friend music video and visuals

Music video release and teasers

Promotional teasers for the visual component premiered on October 23 and 25, 2024. The teaser content showcased the members in sleek black outfits, featuring elegant dance choreography and dreamy expressions. Toward the conclusion, silhouettes appeared against blazing flames in red-tinted lighting. The full music video debuted on October 28, 2024.

Visual concept and themes

The visual narrative presents two distinct forms of the members. The first depicts them as students experiencing harsh social conditions that manifest as physical injuries, running through darkness while avoiding shadows. The second form portrays them as guardian angels in white outfits, coinciding with comforting lyrics about protection. The choreography incorporates the signature crown gesture at the routine's beginning and conclusion, balancing soft movements with sharp execution. Rock instrumental sequences in post-chorus sections add intensity to the performance.

Performance video and dance practice

A performance video in 4K resolution was released on October 29, 2024. Subsequently, dance practice footage in 4K format became available, followed by behind-the-scenes dance practice content on November 1, 2024.

Promotion and performances of Imaginary Friend

Music show performances

Following the completion of promotional activities for the lead single, ITZY performed "Imaginary Friend" on KBS Music Bank on November 1, 2024. Music Bank broadcasts in 142 countries worldwide, providing substantial international exposure for the track.

Fan engagement and reception

Audience members displayed visible emotional responses during live performances, with cameras capturing fans wiping away tears. The emotional impact prompted discussions on social media platforms, where listeners described the track as occupying top positions in their personal rankings. Multiple fans reported experiencing tears repeatedly when listening to the song.

Yuna addressed the track's reception through her YouTube channel, expressing sincere wishes for greater commercial success. She stated, "I wish 'Imaginary Friend' could have been a better success... I thought it would have been nice if it was more loved". Her comments generated discussions on Reddit, where fans acknowledged the challenges K-pop artists face regarding image and public perception beyond musical quality. The track maintains significance for both the members and their fanbase on account of the deep connection ITZY shares with their audience. Yuna's vulnerability demonstrated genuine dedication to her craft while highlighting the importance of emotional expression within the industry.

FAQs

When was "Imaginary Friend" released?

The track was released on October 15, 2024, as part of ITZY's ninth extended play Gold. JYP Entertainment simultaneously released both title tracks from the album on this date.

Is there an English version available?

An English-language adaptation was released on October 25, 2024. Ryan S. Jhun wrote the lyrics for both versions, maintaining thematic consistency while replacing Korean verses with direct English translations.

What genre does the song represent?

The track combines pop-dance elements with vintage pop guitar, acoustic band sound, and R&B influences. Rock-tinged instrumental sequences appear in post-chorus sections, while vocal harmonies create an ethereal atmosphere throughout.

Where did ITZY perform this track?

Music show performances began on November 1, 2024, on KBS Music Bank, followed by an appearance on SBS Inkigayo on November 3. These performances occurred after the group completed promotional activities for the lead single "Gold."

What is the lyrical concept?

The lyrics explore the ambiguous nature of an imaginary friend who appears in dreams as a protector, questioning whether this figure represents an angel, the devil, or one's own consciousness.