MEOVV bares its fangs on second EP 'BITE NOW'

The cat that once kept its claws hidden has finally bared its teeth. After eight months of silence, girl group MEOVV has returned with a wild new edge.

At a showcase Monday at Cube Convention Center in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul, marking the release of their second mini album "BITE NOW," the five members — Suin, Gawon, Anna, Narin and Ella — said they had prepared the record "with everything we had, pouring in all our determination."

Since their debut, MEOVV has built its identity around the dual nature of cats. With this new release, the group announces its evolution into something fiercer — a predator. On stage, MEOVV made that transformation clear, boldly sinking its teeth into the elegant melodies of Bach.

The undisputed centerpiece of the album is the title track "Ddirorri," which boldly samples Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor."

"We reinterpreted it by adding MEOVV's own color," Gawon said. "Our goal was to express overwhelming presence and raw energy on stage." The group transformed one of Western music's most enduring classical pieces into a dynamic K-pop dance track.

The original melody is so widely recognized — having appeared countless times in variety programs — that the members admitted feeling a mix of excitement and bewilderment when they first heard the demo. "The 'ddirorri' part was something we used to hum around as a joke, so I was a bit flustered at first," Ella said. "But when it was mixed with the great beat, it felt fresh and exciting. I think if Bach sunbae heard our song, he would dance to it — it is so upbeat, he would have no choice."

Narin said she liked the song immediately but also felt nervous. "We thought hard about how to make the 'ddirorri' chorus look even cooler — I hope everyone receives it well," she said. Suin laughed and added, "The preparation period was long. We worked really hard to sync up together, and I think that is how we evolved from cats into predators."

Ella pointed to familiarity as the track's greatest appeal. "The scariest thing is a flavor you already know," she said, capturing the song's blend of the recognizable and the unexpected.

Beyond the title track, the album rounds out with four more songs spanning a wide range of sounds — "Hit Dem," "In My Hands," "Favorite Song" and "Revenge." The tracklist moves from a classical-sampling dance-pop opener through sensuous R&B and into lyrical acoustic pop, refusing to settle into any single genre. True to the album's name, every track carries the ambition to devour every musical possibility in sight.

"The direction MEOVV wants to show is 'BITE NOW' itself," Gawon said. "The five songs cover very different genres, and what we want to convey is the boldness and confidence to take on any challenge — the identity that we can do it all."

The members' individual favorites further speak to the album's depth. Both Anna and Suin chose "In My Hands." "It has a cute choreography we have never shown before, so it felt fresh and fun," Anna said. Suin said the song makes her happy on stage. "I hope fans can feel that energy together with us," she added.

Gawon said she loves all five tracks so much that her favorite changes daily, though lately she has been listening to "Hit Dem" on repeat. Ella picked the R&B-heavy "Revenge," saying it puts her at ease. Narin, who co-wrote the lyrics, chose "Favorite Song." "We wrote the lyrics while doing role-play scenarios together, so I have a special attachment to it," she said. "The melody just lifts your mood no matter when you listen."

MEOVV debuted in September 2024 under The Black Label, led by producer Teddy. One of the most notable aspects of this album's production was a sharp rise in the members' creative involvement. Teddy tasked the members with directly overseeing one another's vocal recording sessions.

"At first I tried directing a little bit while standing next to the producer, but then we were given the chance to direct each other properly — all five of us — so we really dove in," Gawon said. Narin said the process brought the group closer. "Going through that, we were able to understand each other on a much deeper level," she said. She also shared a piece of advice Teddy offered along the way. "'You can smile as much as you feel like it,' he told us," Narin said with a laugh. "We got permission that even a predator is allowed to smile."

Alongside the new album, the members have set their sights on a clear goal for the group. Gawon said she wants MEOVV to earn the nickname "Meovvchelin" — a play on MEOVV and Michelin. "We have prepared everything — the stages, the music, the performances, the visuals — at the highest quality, so I wanted to express our confidence that we can deliver a truly satisfying show," she said. Suin said she hopes the group becomes known as "lovable predators." "We are adorable in everyday life, but on stage we show the strong, cool side of a predator," she said.

"We prepared with the mindset that we had to tear the stage apart, because the gap since our last release was so long. Every time, I say, 'It cannot get harder than this' — and every time, we push past that limit again. We staked our lives, everything we have, on this." (Suin)