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Motto (EP)

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Motto
Cutout images of five women wearing pastel outfits on a gray background
Digital cover
EP by
Itzy
ReleasedMay 18, 2026 (2026-05-18)
Length23:38
Languages
  • Korean
  • English
Labels
Itzy chronology
Tunnel Vision
(2025)		 Motto
(2026)
Singles from Motto
  1. "Motto"
    Released: May 18, 2026

Motto is the 12th extended play (EP) by South Korean girl group Itzy, released on May 18, 2026, through JYP Entertainment and Republic Records. Conceptualized as a "direct love letter" to their fandom, the EP features eight tracks led by the single of the same name, including five solo tracks revealed during the Tunnel Vision World Tour (2026).

Background

[edit]

Itzy released their 11th extended play (EP) Tunnel Vision on November 10, 2025, to mixed critical and commercial reception.[1][2] Collaborating with a team of producers including Dem Jointz and Kenzie, the EP explored themes of passion and focus while experimenting on genres like R&B and Afrobeats.[2][3] In support of the EP, the group embarked on the Tunnel Vision World Tour (2026), where they debuted a number of solo songs they later confirmed to be part of their upcoming release.[4][5] While on tour, album track "Thats a No No" from It'z Me (2020) experienced a surge in popularity and member Yuna made her solo debut with Ice Cream.[6][7]

Music and lyrics

[edit]

[With] 'Motto,' I wanted to thank Midzy for staying with us, for being the biggest part of who we are, and show that [they] are our motto

— Yeji, describing Motto to the press.

Motto has a runtime of 23 minutes and 38 seconds across eight tracks. Yeji described the EP as a "direct love letter" to their fans who had supported them throughout their career.[8] Having explored "darker themes" in Girls Will Be Girls (2025) and Tunnel Vision (2025), she added that Motto aims to show a "brighter side of Itzy once again".[9] Thematically, the EP continues exploring themes of "bold concepts and empowering messages" while emphasizing the members' individuality.[10]

Songs

[edit]

Opening track "Motto" is conceptualized as a "vibrant pop anthem" that represents the bond between the group and their fandom.[10][11]

Marketing

[edit]

On April 22, 2026, JYP Entertainment announced Motto as Itzy's 12th extended play through a trailer directed by Léa Esmaili, which features surrealist scenes in a pastel palette.[12] A series of videos featuring brief interviews with the members titled "What's Your Motto" was released sequentially in the days leading up to the EP's release.[13]

The EP was released on May 18, together with its lead single of the same name and its corresponding music video.[14]

Track listing

[edit]
Motto track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicArrangementLength
1."Motto"
  • Gu Seong-min (Artiffect)
  • Bang Hye-hyen
  • Noday
  • Rouno
  • Justin Reinstein
  • Morgan Kubes
  • Rouno
  • Justin Reinstein
3:13
2."Glitch"Im Hyun-a (Jamfactory)
  • Ludwig "Loui" Lindell
  • Jasmine (UP)
  • Hwaji (UP)
Ludwig "Loui" Lindell3:16
3."You and I"Yu Ji-sang
  • Kim Ju-hyeong
  • Arineh Karimi
  • BB Elliot
Kim Ju-hyeong3:07
4."Pocket" (Yeji solo)Lov3notdxxd
  • Lov3notdxxd
  • Frankie Day (The Hub)
  • Ayushy (The Hub)
Lov3notdxxd2:23
5."Asylum" (Lia solo)
  • Julia Ross
  • Ash Minor
  • Lee Woo-min "Collapsedone"
  • Mrch
Collapsedone3:35
6."Look" (Ryujin solo)KassKassKass2:06
7."Undefined" (Chaeryeong solo)
  • Minkyu
  • Seora
  • Lee Hae-sol
  • Maria Marcus
Lee2:40
8."Tangerine" (Yuna solo)Sim Eun-jiSim Eun-jiSim Eun-ji3:18
Total length:23:38

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for Motto
Region CertificationCertified units/sales
South Korea (KMCA)[22] Platinum 250,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Publication lists

[edit]
Publication lists for "Motto"
Critic/Publication List Rank Ref.
Billboard The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2026 (So Far): Critic's Picks 25 [23]

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats
Region Date Format Version Label
Various May 18, 2026 Standard
United States May 22, 2026 CD

References

[edit]
  1. ↑ Pyo, Kyung-min (November 12, 2025). "[REVIEW] Can ITZY find focus with 'TUNNEL VISION'? - The Korea Times". The Korea Times. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Kim, Min-young (November 10, 2025). "Girl group ITZY returns with an edge in new EP 'Tunnel Vision'". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ Lee, Michelle (November 11, 2025). "ITZY Releases Their 'Passion' in a New EP About Self-Confidence and Overcoming Fears (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ Shin, Min-hee (January 2, 2026). "ITZY's world tour to take place across 9 regions with 12 shows". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  5. ↑ Manuel, Andrea (April 22, 2026). "ITZY To Release Members' Solo Tracks In New Mini Album 'Motto'". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  6. ↑ You-mee, Hwang (April 22, 2026). "Itzy bring out 12th EP 'Motto' in May". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  7. ↑ Jae-heun, Kim (March 23, 2026). "Yuna becomes 2nd Itzy member to make solo debut". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Girl group ITZY's upcoming EP 'Motto' is a direct love letter to its fans". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  9. ↑ Gutierrez, Karla (May 20, 2026). "ITZY shares their "Motto" throughout their new mini-album". FOX 11. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  10. 1 2 Manuel, Andrea (May 18, 2026). "ITZY Drops 12th Mini Album Motto — Track by Track". Billboard Philippines. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  11. ↑ Jung-joo, Lee (May 18, 2026). "Itzy channels confidence and connection in new EP 'Motto'". The Korea Herald. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  12. ↑ Cho, Yong-jun (April 22, 2026). "ITZY to release EP 'Motto' amid 'Tunnel Vision' world tour". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ Jang, Woo-young (May 8, 2026). ITZY, 컴백 D-10...'Motto'는 "그냥 우리를 믿고 가자" [ITZY, Comeback D-10... 'Motto' is "Let's just trust us and go"]. OSEN. Retrieved May 22, 2026.
  14. ↑ Martin, Annie. "Listen: Itzy releases 'Motto' EP, music video - UPI.com". UPI. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Albums: 2026-06-01" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Oricon Top 50 Digital Albums: June 1, 2026" (in Japanese). Oricon. Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Billboard Japan Hot Albums – Week of May 27, 2026". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Album Chart: 2026 Week 21". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved May 28, 2026.
  19. ↑ "Itzy Chart History (Top Album Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  20. ↑ "Itzy Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved June 2, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Circle Album Chart – May 2026". Circle Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 11, 2026.
  22. ↑ "South Korean album certifications – Itzy – Motto" (in Korean). Korea Music Content Association (KMCA). Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  23. ↑ Benjamin, Jeff (July 20, 2026). "The 25 Best K-Pop Albums of 2026 (So Far): Critic's Picks". Billboard. Retrieved July 20, 2026.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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