IVE continues to cement their global presence, with their hit track "REBEL HEART" earning critical acclaim from Billboard, which named it one of 'The 25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025 (So Far): Critic's Picks.'
In the feature, Billboard lauded IVE for expanding their sound spectrum beyond Korea, highlighting their international reach and sonic evolution. The publication noted that the song’s bold, rebellious lyrics such as “So you can love me, hate me / You will never be / Try me, I’ll break free” perfectly encapsulate IVE’s confident messaging and musical direction.
“IVE delivers an empowering message,” Billboard wrote, “demonstrating that they are becoming an increasingly influential force and leading figure in the K-pop scene.”
Originally pre-released in January, "REBEL HEART" made an immediate impact, achieving a Perfect All-Kill (PAK) on major Korean music charts and clinching 11 music show wins. The track also enjoyed enduring popularity on Billboard’s Global Excl. U.S. chart, remaining in the rankings for 10 consecutive weeks, further proving IVE’s status as a global K-pop frontrunner.
As of now, the song has garnered over 57 million streams on Spotify, with its music video and performance content continuing to receive widespread love and engagement from fans worldwide.
Adding to their international appeal, IVE recently took the stage at both 'Lollapalooza Berlin' and 'Lollapalooza Paris,' performing "REBEL HEART" live and earning explosive reactions, including Korean-language singalongs from enthusiastic local fans.
Looking ahead, IVE is set to participate in the upcoming '2025 Coupang Play Series' on July 30, where they will appear at the first match between Team K League and Newcastle United. The group is scheduled to perform during the halftime show and take part in the opening pitch ceremony, bringing their star power to the high-profile sporting event.
SEE ALSO: IVE wins with “XOXZ” on ‘Inkigayo’ + performances from NCT WISH, aespa, and more!
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