STAYC Makes a Sweltering Summer Comeback With ‘I WANT IT’

By Danial Martinus • 01 Oct 2025 in Interview

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South Korean girl group STAYC are back with their new single, ‘I WANT IT’. But this isn’t just a regular comeback. It’s the group’s first proper attempt at a summer anthem, and it’s definitely got all the right ingredients for a poolside bop.

It’s got addictive hooks, breezy vocals, and the sort of beat that makes you wanna forget about all your adult responsibilities.

No time for rest, even on tour

The road to ‘I WANT IT’ wasn’t exactly the most laidback journey. From travelling the world on their STAY TUNED tour to hammering away at the new record, STAYC were quite literally all over the place.

“This time, we had to do the STAY TUNED tour and prepare for the album simultaneously, so it was a bit physically demanding at times,” Yoon shares with JUICE. “But it was also exciting and fun! The members cheered and encouraged each other to stay strong, which made us feel even more connected.”

But what’s ‘I WANT IT’ actually supposed to feel like? According to Se-eun, three words: “Summer vibes, coolness, freshness!”

She’s not wrong. The track does sound like it was meant to be played with the car windows down, or through blaring speakers at the beach. And that’s kind of the point of a summer anthem, isn’t it?

It isn’t just cocktails and sunsets, though. Sumin compares the vibe of the EP (I WANT IT Special Single Album) to climbing, of all things.

“I feel like I get more energy when I’m hiking,” she says. It’s definitely an unexpected comparison, but you don’t have to squint too hard to get why Sumin thinks this. ‘I WANT IT’ isn’t exactly relaxing; it’s more jolty and upbeat.

Behind all the glitz of the ‘I WANT IT’ music video, the girls had to sweat it out under the blistering Thai sun, which nearly took a toll on Isa. “I usually have trouble keeping my eyes open in bright sunlight,” she quips. “But this time, I worked hard to keep my eyes open and was able to capture the beautiful shots!”

The finished product looks effortlessly cool, but just know that behind those smouldering stares were eyes in desperate need of sunglasses.

In their glow-up era

Putting out a summer single is definitely a first for STAYC. Now that they’ve entered uncharted waters, Jay hopes the EP resonates well with fans, becoming part of their seasonal playlists and memories.

“I hope they [the fans] enjoy STAYC’s first summer song, enjoy various content, and make happy memories while attending the concert,” she says. So if you need an excuse to sweat it out at a STAYC show, here it is.

The group also drew inspiration from industry heavyweights. Sieun, for example, channelled her inner pop diva, putting Ariana Grande tracks on repeat. “I’ve always liked her, her high notes are so refreshing that listening to her makes me feel like all the summer heat has flown away,” she says.

So where exactly does this leave STAYC? Perhaps they’re approaching their peak, and they’ll be on this continuous high for a while.

‘I WANT IT’ isn’t just a seasonal sound, it’s the epitome of summer in a neat three-track EP.

Stream it below: