Imaginary Friend (song)

On July 9, 2024, JYP Entertainment announced that Itzy would be releasing a new record in October 2024.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:있지 리아, 활동중단 1년여만 직접 복귀선언 "긴장·불안증상 호전"(전문)[종합]|trans-title=Itzy's Lia announces her return after about a year of hiatus, "Improvement of tension and anxiety symptoms" (Full text) [Comprehensive]|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/109/0005112863|via=Naver|publisher={{ill|Osen (newspaper)|ko|OSEN|lt=Osen}}|language=ko|last=Kang|first=Seo-jung|date=July 9, 2024|access-date=September 13, 2024|archive-date=July 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240710035152/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/109/0005112863|url-status=live}} 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.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'완전체' Itzy 10월 15일 'Gold' 컴백 확정..더블 타이틀곡[공식]|trans-title='Complete' Itzy confirms 'Gold' comeback on October 15th...double title song [Official]|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003265576|via=Naver|publisher=MT Star News|language=ko|last=Yoon|first=Sang-geun|date=September 13, 2024|access-date=September 13, 2024|archive-date=September 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240913112447/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003265576|url-status=live}} On October 7, together with five tracks from the EP, the preview for "Imaginary Friend" was released.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:Itzy, '골드' 수록곡 맛보기 음원 공개|trans-title=Itzy releases preview of songs included in 'Gold'|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001154796|via=Naver|publisher=Sports Donga|language=ko|last=Jeon|first=Hyo-jin|date=October 7, 2024|access-date=October 12, 2024|archive-date=November 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108220930/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/382/0001154796|url-status=live}} The song was released alongside the extended play on October 15.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'다시 5명이 된' Itzy(있지), 오늘(15일) 완전체 컴백|trans-title=Itzy 'becomes 5 again', comeback with full group today (15th)|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003879223|via=Naver|publisher={{ill|My Daily|ko|마이데일리}}|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Seung-gil|date=October 20, 2024|access-date=October 20, 2024|archive-date=December 1, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201222459/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/117/0003879223|url-status=live}} The music video teasers for "Imaginary Friend" were later released on October 23 and 25.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:Itzy, 더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' MV 티저 공개...몽환美|trans-title=Itzy releases double title song 'Imaginary Friend' MV teaser... dreamy beauty|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/609/0000912435|via=Naver|publisher=Newsen|language=ko|last=Hwang|first=Hye-jin|date=October 23, 2024|access-date=December 2, 2024|archive-date=December 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207165306/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/609/0000912435|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|script-title=ko:'컴백' Itzy, 신곡 '이매지너리 프렌드' MV 티저 추가 공개|trans-title='Comeback' Itzy releases additional MV teaser for new song 'Imaginary Friend'|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003276565|via=Naver|publisher=Star News|language=ko|last=An|first=Yoon-ji|date=October 25, 2024|access-date=December 2, 2024|archive-date=December 8, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208000010/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003276565|url-status=live}} The English version of the song was released on October 25.{{Cite news|last=Jeong|first=Ji-won|script-title=ko:[오늘가요] Itzy, 'Gold'·'Imaginary Friend' 英버전 발표|trans-title=[Today's Song] Itzy Releases English Versions of 'Gold' and 'Imaginary Friend'|url=https://www.joynews24.com/view/1775966|website=Joynews24|date=October 25, 2024|language=ko|access-date=October 25, 2024|archive-date=December 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241202143708/https://www.joynews24.com/view/1775966|url-status=live}} On October 28, the music video was released.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:Itzy, 새로운 매력의 있지..더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' 뮤직비디오 공개|trans-title=Itzy, a new charm... music video for double title song 'Imaginary Friend' released|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003277894|via=Naver|publisher=Star News|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Soo-jin|date=October 29, 2024|access-date=December 2, 2024|archive-date=December 3, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203170424/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/108/0003277894|url-status=live}}

"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.{{Cite web|title=Gold|url=https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=11615651|via=Melon|publisher=Dreamus|agency=JYP Entertainment|language=ko|access-date=November 7, 2024|archive-date=November 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107162706/https://www.melon.com/album/detail.htm?albumId=11615651|url-status=live}} It was described as a pop-dance song that combines vintage pop guitar, acoustic band sound, and vocal harmonies with mellow tones.{{Cite web|title=Itzy set to shine again with new album 'Gold'|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/10/398_384322.html|website=The Korea Times|last=Lee|first=Gyu-young|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=October 20, 2024}}

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,{{Cite web|script-title=ko:[뮤직뱅크] ITZY, 더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' 무대...감미로운 팝댄스곡|trans-title=[Music Bank] ITZY, double title song 'Imaginary Friend' performance... sweet pop dance song|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/438/0000068435|via=Naver|publisher=KBS Entertainment News|language=ko|last=Lee|first=Nam-hee|date=November 1, 2024|access-date=January 4, 2025|archive-date=January 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103164545/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/438/0000068435|url-status=live}} and SBS's Inkigayo on November 3.{{Cite web|script-title=ko:ITZY, 오늘(1일) 더블 타이틀곡 'Imaginary Friend' 활동 시작|trans-title=ITZY begins double title song 'Imaginary Friend' promotions today (1st)|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/109/0005187635|via=Naver|publisher={{ill|Osen (newspaper)|ko|OSEN|lt=Osen}}|language=ko|last=Ji|first=Min-kyung|date=November 1, 2024|access-date=January 4, 2025|archive-date=January 3, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250103164545/https://m.entertain.naver.com/article/109/0005187635|url-status=live}}

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

{{Reflist}}

{{Itzy}}

Category:Itzy songs

Category:2024 songs

Category:2024 singles

Category:Songs in Korean

Category:JYP Entertainment singles

Category:Republic Records singles