TRI.BE returned to the K-pop scene with a new music style and a revamped group logo as it introduced its second EP “W.A.Y” at Tuesday’s showcase at the Ilchi Art Hall in southern Seoul’s Gangnam District.

The six members — Songsun, Kelly, Hyunbin, Jia, Soeun and Mire — were determined to show a new side of them, two years after their debut.

“After our previous EP, we told producer Shinsadong Tiger that we want to smile during our performances,” Songsun said with a laugh. The group so far has released powerful dance numbers that focused more on their charismatic side.

“He listened to us and told us to ourselves the way we are this time,” she continued. “And he gave us this great song. Thank you, producer!”

The group’s new lead track “We Are Young” is a bright and energetic song, with a beat just as powerful as TRI.BE’s previous lead tracks but with a much more bubbly, refreshing tone. The dance number sings about overcoming obstacles and living carefree under the repeated mantra, “We are young.”

The mischievous choreography sequence was created by Lia Kim, the chief choreographer of 1 Million Dance Studio. In “We Are Young,” members incorporate sign language for words such as “love" into the dance sequence.

“This was our first time incorporating sign language into our choreography,” Jia said. “Listening to [choreographer] Lia Kim explain what each movement means was so cool.”

“We had never gotten a [bubbly] dance routine in the past,” Hyunbin said, “So when we first received the choreography, we loved it but questioned if we could do it right. We’ve really tried everything to prepare, from dancing while giving it 200 percent of our energy to dancing completely relaxed.”

Last year, TRI.BE wrapped up a prolific 2022, after releasing music and participating in Coca Cola’s Asia advertisement campaign. The group also collaborated with Indian pop star Armaan Malik for the Indian portion of the campaign. TRI.BE also took home a Blooming Star award at the Hanteo Music Awards over the weekend.

“Our previous EP ‘Leviosa’ [2021] was our career high in terms of first-week CD sales, music video views and whatnot,” said Hyunbin. “Some people might say we were slow to reach that milestone, but we will keep going our way and creating our own career highs.”

The EP also features tracks “Stay Together,” “Witch,” “Wonderland” and “Would You Run (Original Version),” an alternative version of the group’s 2021 lead track of the same title, from its first EP “Veni Vidi Vici.”

For “Witch,” members joined forces to contribute to creating the dance routine themselves.

“We looked up dance videos and watched a lot of the Netflix series 'Wednesday’ for reference,” said MiRe. “We really focused on creating movements that feel grotesque, fitting the song’s atmosphere.”

“All five tracks on the new EP are perfect for different situations,” Songsun said. “'We Are Young’ is perfect for driving, and some songs are for when you’re feeling down. It has something for every moment.”

Two years into its career, TRI.BE says its greatest growth is in terms of becoming much more relaxed but also more ambitious than ever.

“When certain things suddenly didn’t go as planned, we used to not know what to do,” said Soeun. “After two years, those sudden incidents just feel like a fun surprise now.”

“We want to earn the nickname ‘idols without impossibility,’” she continued. “I want people to look at us and think, ‘Wow, for them, nothing is impossible.’”

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]