After LIKE

"After LIKE" by IVE is a bold and confident anthem about transitioning from the initial stage of liking someone to the deeper emotion of love. The central theme revolves around proactive and honest communication in a relationship. The lyrics question, "What's after 'LIKE'?", directly posing the next step and implicitly answering it with 'LOVE'. This isn't just a passive feeling but a call to action, urging the subject of their affection to recognize the depth of their feelings and move the relationship forward. As member Rei explained, the song is about "expressing your feelings not only with your heart but through your actions as well."

The song also contains a clever layer of self-referential symbolism. In the chorus, the lyrics spell out "L-O," followed by "V and E are missing," which, when combined with "I" (me), spells out "IVE." This wordplay serves as a dual message: it completes the word 'LOVE' while simultaneously reinforcing the group's identity and their overarching theme of self-love and confidence. This continues the narrative from their previous songs "ELEVEN" and "LOVE DIVE," which explored the theme of self-obsession and narcissism through the lens of Greek mythology. In "After LIKE," the confidence born from self-love is channeled outward in a bold romantic confession.

The narrative begins with an immediate and self-assured confession. The protagonist acknowledges a budding relationship, starting with a simple admission of liking the other person. However, this is just the launching point. The song quickly moves beyond mere fondness, questioning what lies beyond the initial stage of 'like'. The lyrics suggest a desire for a deeper, more defined connection, moving from a passive feeling to active expression. The core message is one of audacious honesty in love. The singer declares that their strength lies in their frankness, urging their love interest not to doubt the sincerity of their feelings.

This isn't just about spoken words; it's about demonstrating love through actions. The repeated question, "What's after 'LIKE'?" serves as a challenge and an invitation. It pushes for clarity and progression in the relationship. The lyrics play with the idea of love as the natural next step after 'like,' even spelling out 'L-O' and implying the missing 'V-E' to complete the word, cleverly connecting it to the group's name, IVE. This wordplay reinforces the theme of self-love and confidence that is central to the group's identity. The song paints a picture of a modern, proactive approach to romance, where the individual is not afraid to take the lead and articulate their desires.

The emotional landscape is one of excitement and certainty. There's no room for hesitation or ambiguity. The rapid tempo and energetic production mirror the thrilling rush of falling in love and being ready to embrace it fully. The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment, portraying individuals who are in control of their romantic destinies. They see a spark and are ready to fan it into a flame, moving past the comfortable but ultimately limiting stage of simply 'liking' someone. The story concludes with a powerful and repetitive declaration that their connection is "more than 'like'," solidifying their bold stance and leaving no doubt about their intentions to move forward into a more profound relationship.

"After LIKE" was released on August 22, 2022, as the lead single from IVE's third single album of the same name. The announcement of the comeback was made by their agency, Starship Entertainment, on July 24, 2022. The tracklist was revealed on August 7, confirming "After LIKE" as the lead single. The song was written by lyricist Seo Ji-eum, who also penned IVE's previous hits "ELEVEN" and "LOVE DIVE", with rap parts written by Mommy Son and IVE member Rei. The production team was led by Ryan S. Jhun, alongside Anders Nilsen, André Jensen, and Iselin Solheim.

A key and widely discussed feature of the song's creation is its prominent sampling of Gloria Gaynor's 1978 disco anthem "I Will Survive." The iconic string introduction and instrumental break are interpolated throughout the track, giving it a distinct retro and euphoric feel. There is some discussion among fans and critics whether the sample was taken directly from Gaynor's original or from Robbie Williams' 2000 song "Supreme," which also famously interpolated "I Will Survive," as a faint vocal artifact from Williams' track is allegedly audible. The integration of this classic sample was a deliberate choice to create a powerful and familiar dance track. A "holiday remix" of the song was later released on Spotify in November 2022.

"After LIKE" is characterized by a driving, dance-oriented rhythm and a straightforward, pop-centric rhyme scheme.

Rhythm and Tempo:

• The song is set to a tempo of approximately 125 beats per minute (BPM), a common tempo for disco and house music that encourages dancing.
• The rhythmic foundation is a four-on-the-floor beat, typical of the disco and house genres, providing a constant, propulsive energy throughout the track. This relentless drive is established from the beginning and maintains its momentum, which is crucial for a dance track.
• The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is tight. The vocal melodies and rap verses often follow the propulsive beat, creating a cohesive and catchy flow. The rap section, in particular, introduces a faster, more syncopated lyrical rhythm that contrasts with the smoother vocal melodies of the verses and chorus.

Rhyme Scheme:

• The rhyme scheme is generally simple and effective, typical of pop music, focusing on creating memorable hooks rather than complex poetic structures. The Korean lyrics utilize end rhymes in a way that feels natural and enhances the song's catchiness.
• The chorus and pre-chorus employ clear rhymes to create a satisfying and easily singable structure. The focus is less on a strict, traditional scheme like AABB and more on creating rhyming couplets and phrases that stick in the listener's head. The repetition of the central phrase "After LIKE" also serves as a key rhythmic and lyrical anchor.

"After LIKE" employs a rich blend of musical and literary techniques to create its impactful and memorable sound.

Musical Techniques:

• Sampling/Interpolation: The most prominent technique is the interpolation of the instrumental from Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." This isn't just a background element; the dramatic disco strings are used as a core component of the post-chorus, creating an instant feeling of euphoria and nostalgia.
• Genre Blending: The song masterfully combines 70s disco and house music with modern K-Pop and EDM sensibilities. This creates a nu-retro sound that feels both classic and contemporary.
• Dynamic Arrangement: The song builds its energy progressively. It starts with a strong rhythm guitar and house piano in the verses, leading to a build-up in the pre-chorus. The release comes in the post-chorus with the full force of the disco sample, creating a climactic payoff.
• Vocal Production: Filtered vocals are used in the hook, adding a stylistic, airy texture that complements the breezy feel of the track. The members' vocal delivery is notably cool and somewhat subdued, which contrasts effectively with the high-energy production.
• Rap Break: For the first time in a title track, IVE incorporates a significant rap section, delivered by Gaeul and Rei. Placing this verse over the ascending string sample adds a fresh, modern layer to the classic disco sound.

Literary Techniques:

• Rhetorical Question: The central lyrical hook, "What's after 'LIKE'?", is a rhetorical question that drives the song's narrative. It's not asked out of genuine uncertainty but as a confident prompt for the relationship to advance.
• Direct Address: The lyrics are written in a direct address to a romantic interest ("You and I"), creating a personal and confrontational tone that emphasizes the song's theme of honesty.

"After LIKE" achieved significant commercial success and cultural impact, solidifying IVE's status as a leading group in the 4th generation of K-Pop. The song was a massive hit in South Korea, topping the Circle Digital Chart for four weeks and achieving a "Perfect All-Kill" (PAK), meaning it simultaneously ranked number one on the real-time, daily, and weekly charts of all major South Korean music streaming platforms. The single album sold over a million copies, making IVE a "million seller" and earning them the New Artist of the Year award in the physical category at the Circle Chart Music Awards.

Internationally, the song performed well, charting in the top ten in several Asian countries and on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart. It remained on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart for 19 consecutive weeks. The music video garnered immense attention, surpassing 100 million views on YouTube in just over a month and, as of January 2024, has over 250 million views.

The song's most talked-about feature was its sampling of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive," which brought widespread attention and sparked discussions about the art of sampling in K-Pop. This choice connected IVE's modern sound to a globally recognized disco classic, appealing to a broader and older audience. "After LIKE" is considered a standout track in IVE's discography, praised for its confident concept and euphoric, retro-inspired sound, and it remains one of their most successful and recognizable hits.

The most significant symbolism in "After LIKE" lies in its lyrical wordplay and its connection to IVE's established conceptual narrative.

• The Narcissus Mythos Continuation: The song is seen as the third chapter in a trilogy that began with "ELEVEN" and "LOVE DIVE." This trilogy explores themes of self-love and narcissism, inspired by the Greek myth of Narcissus. While "LOVE DIVE" encourages diving into one's own reflection, "After LIKE" takes that self-love and confidence and projects it outward into a romantic relationship. The boldness of the confession is a direct result of this strong sense of self.
• Wordplay and Self-Reference: The chorus features the line, "L-O-I-V-E, a completed V and E." This is a clever double entendre. On one hand, it completes the word "LOVE," the answer to the song's central question, "What's after 'LIKE'?" On the other hand, by using the letters of their own name, IVE reinforces their group identity and the theme of self-empowerment that is core to their brand.
• The "I Will Survive" Sample: The use of Gloria Gaynor's iconic anthem adds a layer of complex meaning. "I Will Survive" is a song of post-breakup resilience and empowerment. Sampling it in a song about the beginning of a relationship creates an interesting juxtaposition. It can be interpreted as foreshadowing potential heartbreak but with an underlying message of strength – that even if the relationship fails, the protagonist will survive and thrive, a testament to their inherent confidence. It imbues the fresh, optimistic love confession with a sense of seasoned strength and independence.

The most prominent recurring element in "After LIKE" is the central question and titular phrase, "What's after 'LIKE'?". This phrase functions as the song's primary lyrical hook and thematic core. Its repetition throughout the song, particularly in the chorus, reinforces the main message: a confident desire to move a relationship beyond simple affection to a more profound stage of love. It acts as both a question and a statement, challenging the listener and the song's subject to consider the next step.

Another significant recurring hook is the melodic phrase "You and I, it's more than like." This line directly answers the central question and serves as a definitive declaration of the singer's feelings. It's a recurring affirmation that solidifies the song's assertive and honest tone.

Musically, the most important recurring motif is the sampled string section from Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive." This instrumental hook appears after each chorus, acting as a powerful, euphoric post-chorus. Its repetition provides the song with its signature disco flavor and serves as a climactic release of energy. The sample is not just a one-time gimmick but a foundational structural element that the song repeatedly returns to for its most impactful moments, including being the backdrop for the dynamic rap verse.