Why ITZY's Kill My Doubt Album Is Their Most Personal Work Yet

ITZY's Kill My Doubt album shattered records with an astounding 1,299,329 copies sold in its first week, debuting at number one on South Korea's Circle Album Chart. This milestone represents their sixth number-one album on the chart, but what makes this particular release stand out is its deeply personal nature.

Beyond impressive sales figures, the six-track EP explores themes of overcoming adversity and self-doubt. Additionally, the album reached #1 in 14 different countries on the iTunes Top Albums chart, confirming its global appeal. The tracklist, led by the energetic single "Cake," delves into the members' personal experiences. Notably, the creation process involved what Yuna described as "psychological counselling" sessions, where members discussed their obstacles and worries.

The commercial success continued when Kill My Doubt was certified Million by the Korea Music Content Association in October 2023 for surpassing 1,000,000 copies sold, making it the group's third million-seller album. Furthermore, it debuted at No.23 on Billboard 200, their fifth album to achieve this distinction. This article explores why Kill My Doubt stands as ITZY's most personal work yet, examining the stories, themes, and impact behind this remarkable release.

The story behind Kill My Doubt

How the album was first announced

The journey of ITZY's seventh mini-album began during an unexpected moment. On May 22, 2023, Chaeryeong casually revealed during an interview on Good Day New York that the group was preparing for a summer comeback. Subsequently, on June 19, JYP Entertainment officially announced Kill My Doubt through an enigmatic teaser trailer. The visual featured each member positioned between white blocks against a black void, accompanied by a glacial soundscape that transitioned into a glitchy, ominous instrumental.

The mini-album was scheduled for release on July 31, 2023, at 6pm KST (5am ET), comprising six tracks in total. Three songs—"Bet On Me," "Cake," and "None Of My Business"—would receive music videos, with "Cake" serving as the lead single.

Fan expectations and company response

Prior to the official announcement, Sports Chosun reported on June 18 that ITZY would release new music in the summer, marking their first comeback in over seven months since "Cheshire". The prolonged hiatus created significant anticipation among fans, yet simultaneously led to frustration regarding the group's management.

As a result, the day after this report, devoted fans sent trucks bearing protest messages to JYP Entertainment's headquarters, demanding better treatment and promotion for the group. In response, the company swiftly released the album's details and promotion schedule, though protests continued throughout the promotional period.

Why this album marked a turning point

Kill My Doubt represented a significant evolution in ITZY's artistic journey. Unlike their previous works characterized by energetic youthfulness, this album showcased their most authentic selves. According to Ryujin, "the album was made with our own personal interviews, so the theme was really related to our own personal experiences".

These interviews, described by Yuna as feeling like "psychological counselling," delved into the obstacles and worries plaguing the members. Yeji articulated this shift perfectly: "I thought this was a concept of ITZY taking up a challenge for the first time, but you always have doubts before you try something new, right?".

The result was an intimate collection of songs imbued with the members' genuine insecurities and their courage in confronting them head-on—a brave departure from their established comfort zone.

Themes and messages in the lyrics

The lyrical content of Kill My Doubt stands as a testament to ITZY's artistic evolution, revealing a depth previously unexplored in their discography. The album lyrically revolves around overcoming adversity and self-doubt, marking a significant departure from their earlier works.

Overcoming fear and anxiety

Throughout the tracklist, ITZY confronts the reality of fear rather than simply promoting confidence. "BET ON ME" particularly showcases this vulnerability with lyrics like "I won't deny my fear inside" and "I'm trying to kill my doubt." This track starts with the members at an emotional low before learning to embrace the ups and downs of self-acceptance, contrasting with their previous releases. The song honestly conveys the uneasy feelings faced when standing alone before the world, acknowledging that anxiety and doubt can coexist with determination.

Confidence and self-belief

While ITZY has long championed self-confidence, Kill My Doubt approaches this theme with newfound maturity. In "BET ON ME," the recurring affirmation "Still, I choose me, there's no other way / I bet on me" takes a more reflective approach to inspiring perseverance. The message evolves from simply declaring confidence to demonstrating how it's built through struggle. As Yeji sings, "I say, trust me, I talk to myself / Do I believe me? I can't figure it out yet / But I hear this voice inside me / I'm going to follow it," showcasing the process of developing self-trust.

Letting go of the past

The album also explores themes of emotional detachment, particularly in "None of My Business," which expresses apathy toward former relationships. This track presents a breezier, more carefree dimension to the group, described by Chaeryeong as "perfect to listen to near the beach with a sunset." The song balances warmth with underlying sadness, demonstrating emotional growth through letting go. "Kill Shot" further emphasizes this theme with lyrics about delivering a final blow to doubt, showcasing the determination to move forward without hesitation.

Track-by-track breakdown of Kill My Doubt

Each song on Kill My Doubt offers a unique window into ITZY's artistic growth, showcasing different facets of their evolving sound and message.

Bet On Me – vulnerability and self-trust

Opening the album with unexpected vulnerability, "Bet On Me" presents ITZY at their most introspective. This upbeat R&B track with rock influences candidly expresses the feelings of standing alone in the world. The song begins with the members at an emotional low before learning to embrace the ups and downs of self-acceptance. Producer JYP specifically lowered the key to showcase the members' genuine voices, especially Yeji's raw emotional delivery that parallels the message of believing in oneself despite inner doubts.

Cake – boldness and energy

"Cake" returns to ITZY's trademark energetic sound with its bold brass and drum arrangements. The song delivers a carefree message to "easily forget all your problems, like a piece of cake." Despite its apparent simplicity, member Yeji described it as "a summer score filled with the group's energetic vibe," while Yuna noted its "summer-themed melody that's guaranteed to fight off the heatwave." The infectious chant of "cake cake cake" creates an earworm effect that embodies the track's playful essence.

None of My Business – emotional detachment

This breezy track draws on summer imagery as a creative metaphor for relationship burnout. Opening with a tantalizing melody, "None of My Business" epitomizes being unbothered. The lyrics convey growing apart from someone once close: "Beyond the humid body heat / The hot air of the night / Everything is making me dizzy." The song maintains its easygoing feel throughout, crafting a tight-knit sound that feels far from one-dimensional.

Bratty – playful rebellion

"Bratty" embraces defiance with its hip-hop-infused instrumentals. The cynical yet witty lyrics sarcastically declare "Yeah, I'm bratty" to critics who casually pass judgment without understanding. This track delivers a confident message: "No matter what others say about me, I will stand proudly in front of their eyes and move toward my dream." The fizzy instrumental accents create a bustling soundscape that perfectly complements the song's rebellious attitude.

Psychic Lover – romantic intuition

Building from gothic-feeling verses to a sunny, upbeat chorus, "Psychic Lover" creates a continuous ebb and flow of energy. The song explores supernatural connection with lyrics like "A strong attraction that cannot be hidden / Psychic lover only for you." This track's string-based half-tempo groove builds to strong energy, showcasing ITZY's versatility. The chorus particularly shines when the instrumentals pull back, allowing Lia's vocals to take center stage.

Kill Shot – finality and strength

Concluding the album with powerful finality, "Kill Shot" begins with an impressive a cappella introduction before transitioning to up-tempo rap over synth basslines. Despite being the shortest track, it delivers a strong message of determination: "I will defeat everything that stands in my way, whether it's the doubts that make me anxious or the jeering glances of someone else." This synthwave track with addictive techno elements creates a cyberpunk vibe that perfectly encapsulates the album's theme of conquering self-doubt.

Visuals, versions, and promotions

ITZY captivated fans with an extensive visual campaign for Kill My Doubt, showcasing their artistic growth alongside the album's personal themes.

Concept art and teaser trailers

The promotional rollout began with multiple concept art releases, each revealing different dimensions of the album's aesthetic. The first teaser trailer featured the members posing confidently in streetwear against an ominous instrumental. Concept images followed on July 11, showing the group in a mysterious purple-lit space with punching bags, wearing "flashy sporty looks." Additional concepts included hip-hop inspired outfits and a locker room setting, creating a cohesive visual narrative. For "Cake," members appeared in matching red and white outfits performing choreography on their hands, followed by outdoor scenes with glitter and balloons.

Music videos and their symbolism

Kill My Doubt marked ITZY's first album with three music videos—"Bet On Me," "None of My Business," and "Cake." The "Cake" video cleverly referenced popular Korean entertainment, including Squid Game. "I love the story of the music video because it's a little bit cute and it's talking about the main character who never dies," Ryujin explained. Lia added that the costumes complemented their songs perfectly, making their videos recognizable to global fans. The "Bet On Me" video depicted members in everyday settings before running through a dark tunnel toward light, symbolizing overcoming doubt.

Album versions and packaging details

The physical album came in sixteen versions: four standard (A-D), one limited, five member-specific digipacks, five cassettes, and one special edition. Each version contained unique items like champion belts, photobooks, photocards, and special pre-order benefits.

Pop-up store and fan engagement

From July 27 to August 9, 2023, ITZY operated a pop-up store at The Hyundai Seoul, offering visitors pre-access to all six tracks. The event featured exclusive merchandise including trading cards, acrylic kits, and apparel.

Album documentary and behind-the-scenes

The production process was documented in a three-part YouTube series. The first episode, released July 19, showcased the members' preparation—from boxing training for concept photos to recording sessions with JYP Entertainment's founder Park Jin-young.

Impact, reception, and fan response

The immense popularity of ITZY's Kill My Doubt album translated into remarkable commercial success, exceeding expectations and reinforcing the group's position in the K-pop industry.

Sales and chart performance

Kill My Doubt established multiple milestones for ITZY immediately upon release. The album sold 318,352 copies on its first day, breaking their previous record set by "Cheshire." First-week sales reached an impressive 823,742 copies, making ITZY the girl group with the eighth-highest first-week sales in Hanteo history. Consequently, the album debuted at number 23 on the Billboard 200 with 24,000 album units sold in the U.S., marking their fifth entry on this prestigious chart.

Internationally, Kill My Doubt achieved considerable success across multiple charts. Within just four hours of release, the album reached number one on iTunes Top Albums charts in at least 14 different countries. Moreover, it secured notable positions on various international rankings, including number 7 on Greek Albums, number 14 on Polish Albums, and number 35 on Hungarian Albums charts.

Certifications and awards

In October 2023, Kill My Doubt received Million certification from the Korea Music Content Association for surpassing 1,000,000 copies sold, becoming ITZY's third million-seller album. Additionally, the album was nominated for Best Album (Bonsang) at the 2024 Golden Disc Awards, highlighting its critical recognition alongside its commercial achievements.

Fan reactions and favorite tracks

Audience response to Kill My Doubt was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the album's maturity compared to previous releases. According to reviews, "Psychic Lover" and "Kill Shot" emerged as standout tracks, both receiving 8.5/10 ratings from critics. Fans particularly appreciated how the album showed growth from previous works, with one reviewer noting it "does reverse the trajectory ever so slightly" of their album quality.

How the album preview built anticipation

JYP Entertainment effectively generated excitement through strategic preview opportunities. From July 27 to August 9, 2023, ITZY operated a pop-up store at The Hyundai Seoul where visitors gained exclusive pre-access to all six tracks. This unique preview strategy, coupled with the release of concept photos and three music videos, successfully built anticipation that ultimately manifested in the album's impressive first-day sales figures.

FAQS

As fans eagerly embraced ITZY's Kill My Doubt album, many practical questions arose about purchasing, shipping, and album details. Here's essential information for MIDZYs looking to add this personal masterpiece to their collection.

When did the album officially release? The album was released on July 31, 2023 KST, with shipping beginning approximately 7-10 business days after this date.

What versions of the album were available? The album came in multiple formats including standard editions (A-D versions), limited editions, member-specific digipacks, cassettes, and special editions, each containing unique packaging and inclusions.

How soon after ordering could fans expect their albums? Initially, orders shipped approximately 7-10 business days after the July 31, 2023 release date. Nonetheless, tracking information updates took an additional 2-7 business days to reflect in systems.

Could orders be modified after placement? Indeed, delivery addresses could be edited before the sales end date on July 30, 2023 at 11:59 PM KST. However, after this deadline, modifications became impossible.

What about album condition concerns? Minor imperfections like small scratches on the external packaging were considered normal. Furthermore, printed goods such as photocards with scratches or nicks under 5mm not on the face were not grounds for exchange.

Were there order limitations? Generally, there was a limit of 20 albums per transaction. For group orders, a minimum of 30 albums was required, with final group orders due by July 28, 2023.

How were defective items handled? To request exchanges for defective items, customers needed to submit private inquiries including video evidence showing the packaging's condition. Exchange requests for defective items could be made within 90 days of receipt.

What about posters? Unfolded posters shipped separately in poster tubes, occasionally arriving 2-3 business days after albums. Otherwise, folded posters came packaged inside the albums.

Could albums be returned? Most retailers stated that all sales were final with no refunds or order amendments allowed except for clearly defective items.