QWER‘s ’Ceremony': How This New Album Marks a Bold New Chapter in K-Pop

[TV Daily reporter Kim Jin-seok] QWER, the four-member girl band, has opened a new chapter with the release of their mini-album CEREMONY. Their effort to balance familiar strengths with bold new moves is drawing attention across Korea’s music scene.

QWER (Chodan, Magenta, Hina, Siyeon) released their fourth mini-album, CEREMONY, on the 27th through major streaming platforms. The comeback — 10 months after their last release — marks a clear milestone as the group steps beyond the first chapter of their career.

The band debuted in 2023 with Harmony from Discord and closed that initial chapter with a distinctive narrative carried through tracks such as Manitto, Algorithm’s Blossom, and I’m on Your Side, Even If the Whole World Is Out of Tune.

Notably, Manitto’s title track, Gominjungdok, became YouTube Music Korea’s most popular song of 2024. Riding that momentum, QWER swept both rookie and main awards at several ceremonies, cementing strong support from the public and their fandom.

CEREMONY features five tracks: the title song “CEREMONY”; “BAD HABIT,” which sketches a bold character who ignores others’ judgment; “Bunny Bunny,” a sweet ode to someone you’d long to meet even in a dream; “Our Voyage,” a hopeful track about brighter days when you face anxious moments together; and “PIONEER,” which likens the confidence and resolve for a new chapter to the spirit of a trailblazer.

Ahead of the release, QWER previewed “BAD HABIT” at a media showcase. The performance leaned into gritty rock energy and a muscular sound. Midway through, Magenta and Siyeon faced each other and traded bass and guitar lines, delivering striking visual drama and musical payoff while underscoring the members’ tightened chemistry.

After the set, Siyeon described the song as exploring an attraction to the peculiar rather than the merely “nice.” She called it a statement of the group’s freedom and said it’s stronger and more energetic than their previous work, offering listeners a fresh impression.


The choice of “CEREMONY” as the lead single surprised some observers. Given QWER’s signature, refreshing festival-ready sound, “BAD HABIT” or “PIONEER” might have seemed like more obvious picks. Instead, the group chose a song that reflects a deeper reckoning with identity.

They framed the selection as a continuation of experimentation. “CEREMONY” deliberately sets aside the familiar formula. It expresses a pledge to live more authentically after a period of losing — and then rediscovering — one’s sense of self. Rather than rushing into the next story, the group prioritized reclaiming and reaffirming their identity.

Asked what “being yourself” means, Magenta said it’s about breaking society’s molds, focusing on what you love, and looking inward. She added that they will continue taking on new challenges while staying true to themselves.

That message lands more powerfully in the “CEREMONY” music video. In the clip, the members arrive in an unfamiliar world and face various crises. Instead of fleeing, they decide to remain and adapt. The sequence reads as an allegory for members from different backgrounds coming together under the name QWER and deciding to protect that world despite prejudice and hardship.

Leader Chodan described the album as a chapter in which, after meetings and growth, the group actively seeks its identity. Even amid self-examination, QWER hasn’t let go of their fans’ hands. The track “Our Voyage” carries a clear message: this story that started with you won’t end until you let go — a direct promise to supporters.

“Our Voyage” continues the thread begun with the fan song “Echo” from their second mini-album. The line “I can’t finish this until the story reaches you” reads like another vow to their fandom, Bawige.

At the showcase, Hina called Bawige their driving force. She said fans’ passionate support and encouragement give them strength, and that the group feels a duty to succeed for those fans — an expression of gratitude and determination.


“CEREMONY” also hides an Easter egg for dedicated fans. At the encore of their world tour stop in Seoul — 1ST WORLD TOUR 'ROCKATION : HOMECOMING' ENCORE IN SEOUL — QWER previewed “PIONEER” during the entrance intro. At the time there was no explanation, but the song’s significance becomes clear with this album, suggesting the new chapter began onstage.

QWER has evolved beyond a “growth-stage” band into a group listeners turn to with confidence. “CEREMONY” is a statement of faith: even when they set aside what they do best, they can still carve a new path. With this comeback, QWER aims to open a new chapter and craft their own complete harmony amid a music scene full of dissonance.

[TV Daily reporter Kim Jin-seok news@tvdaily.co.kr / Photo = DB]