Misplaced Pages

"Imaginary Friend" is a song recorded by South Korean girl group Itzy for their ninth extended play Gold. It was released as the EP's second single by JYP Entertainment on October 15, 2024.

Background and release

On July 9, 2024, JYP Entertainment announced that Itzy would be releasing a new record in October 2024. On September 13, the agency confirmed that the group's ninth extended play Gold would be released on October 15. The track listing and promotional schedule were also released on the same day, with "Gold" and "Imaginary Friend" announced as the lead singles. On October 7, together with five tracks from the EP, the preview for "Imaginary Friend" was released. The song was released alongside the extended play on October 15. The music video teasers for "Imaginary Friend" were later released on October 23 and 25. The English version of the song was released on October 25. On October 28, the music video was released.

Composition

"Imaginary Friend" was produced by Ryan S. Jhun alongside James Daniel Lewis who contributed to the composition and arrangement, with Sorana Pacurar participating in the composition, and Jun Seo and Hwan Yang participating in the arrangement. It was described as a pop-dance song that combines vintage pop guitar, acoustic band sound, and vocal harmonies with mellow tones.

Promotion

Following two weeks of promotion for "Gold" on music programs, promotion for "Imaginary Friend" began. Itzy performed on two music programs in the first week of promotion: KBS's Music Bank on November 1, and SBS's Inkigayo on November 3.

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Melon.

Studio

• JYPE Studio – recording, digital editing
• 821 Sound – digital editing
• Alawn Music Studios – mixing

Personnel

• Itzy – vocals
• Perrie – background vocals
• Sorana Pacurar – background vocals, composition
• Ryan S. Jhun – lyrics, composition, arrangement, vocal directing, programming
• James Daniel Lewis – composition, arrangement, programming
• Jun Seo - arrangement, programming
• Hwan Yang - arrangement, programming
• Uhm Se-hee – recording
• Im Chan-mi – recording, digital editing
• Kwak Bo-eun – recording
• Yue – digital editing
• Kim Min-hee – digital editing
• Alawn – mixing

Release history

References

1. Kang, Seo-jung (July 9, 2024). 있지 리아, 활동중단 1년여만 직접 복귀선언 "긴장·불안증상 호전"(전문)[종합] [Itzy's Lia announces her return after about a year of hiatus, "Improvement of tension and anxiety symptoms" (Full text) ] (in Korean). Osen [ko]. Archived from the original on July 10, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Naver.
2. Yoon, Sang-geun (September 13, 2024). '완전체' Itzy 10월 15일 'Gold' 컴백 확정..더블 타이틀곡[공식] ['Complete' Itzy confirms 'Gold' comeback on October 15th...double title song ] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on September 13, 2024. Retrieved September 13, 2024 – via Naver.
3. Jeon, Hyo-jin (October 7, 2024). Itzy, '골드' 수록곡 맛보기 음원 공개 [Itzy releases preview of songs included in 'Gold'] (in Korean). Sports Donga. Archived from the original on November 8, 2024. Retrieved October 12, 2024 – via Naver.
4. Lee, Seung-gil (October 20, 2024). '다시 5명이 된' Itzy(있지), 오늘(15일) 완전체 컴백 [Itzy 'becomes 5 again', comeback with full group today (15th)] (in Korean). My Daily [ko]. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved October 20, 2024 – via Naver.
5. Hwang, Hye-jin (October 23, 2024). Itzy, 더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' MV 티저 공개...몽환美 [Itzy releases double title song 'Imaginary Friend' MV teaser... dreamy beauty] (in Korean). Newsen. Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024 – via Naver.
6. An, Yoon-ji (October 25, 2024). '컴백' Itzy, 신곡 '이매지너리 프렌드' MV 티저 추가 공개 ['Comeback' Itzy releases additional MV teaser for new song 'Imaginary Friend'] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024 – via Naver.
7. Jeong, Ji-won (October 25, 2024). [오늘가요] Itzy, 'Gold'·'Imaginary Friend' 英버전 발표 [ Itzy Releases English Versions of 'Gold' and 'Imaginary Friend']. Joynews24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 2, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
8. ^ Kim, Soo-jin (October 29, 2024). Itzy, 새로운 매력의 있지..더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' 뮤직비디오 공개 [Itzy, a new charm... music video for double title song 'Imaginary Friend' released] (in Korean). Star News. Archived from the original on December 3, 2024. Retrieved December 2, 2024 – via Naver.
9. ^ "Gold" (in Korean). Dreamus. JYP Entertainment. Archived from the original on November 7, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024 – via Melon.
10. Lee, Gyu-young (October 16, 2024). "Itzy set to shine again with new album 'Gold'". The Korea Times. Retrieved October 20, 2024.
11. Lee, Nam-hee (November 1, 2024). [뮤직뱅크] ITZY, 더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' 무대...감미로운 팝댄스곡 [ ITZY, double title song 'Imaginary Friend' performance... sweet pop dance song] (in Korean). KBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025 – via Naver.
12. Ji, Min-kyung (November 1, 2024). ITZY, 오늘(1일) 더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' 활동 시작 [ITZY begins double title song 'Imaginary Friend' promotions today (1st)] (in Korean). Osen [ko]. Archived from the original on January 3, 2025. Retrieved January 4, 2025 – via Naver.

• Itzy songs
• 2024 songs
• 2024 singles
• Songs in Korean
• JYP Entertainment singles
• Republic Records singles