After three turbulent years of reinvention — from a survival show victory to a self-declared rebirth and a leadership reshuffle — boy band Cravity is again at a turning point.

With the Starship Entertainment group entering its sixth year and approaching contract renewal, the nine members say they are embracing uncertainty rather than shying away from it.

“Our latest album, ‘ReDeFINE,’ may come across as dark as it explores themes like fears and scars,” said member Hyeongjun during a group interview at the agency's headquarters in southern Seoul on Thursday. “But the album is not at all gloomy — the title, ‘ReDeFINE,’ signifies improving oneself through redefining who you are.”

The band, which debuted in April 2020 under Starship Entertainment, consists of Serim, Allen, Jungmo, Woobin, Wonjin, Minhee, Hyeongjun, Taeyoung and Seongmin.

The group released its eighth EP, “ReDeFINE,” on Wednesday, following its second full-length album, “Dare to Crave” (2025).

“ReDeFINE” features six tracks: the lead track, “Awake,” and B-sides “Hello-Goodbye,” “Fever,” “Adore,” “Love Me Like You Do” and “Spring, with You.”

The lead track is an alt-pop song marked by dark synth-pop sounds, a sharper and moodier visual turn from the boy band’s previous lead singles. In the music video, the members appear dressed like priests in black robes, set against a mural of Ouroboros — a snake eating its own tail.

As with its previous releases, the members took part in the album’s production. Serim and Allen are credited with writing the lyrics for both “Awake” and “Adore.” Among B-sides, “Spring, with You” stands out as a song dedicated to the group’s fans, Luvity. Wonjin and Allen took part in writing the lyrics and composition.

“This album is our first new release since our rebranding last year,“ noted Wonjin. “We tried to redefine who we are, so we naturally felt darker visual themes would be more effective at carrying the message.”

“The core message of this album is that the moment we once believed to be the end might turn out to be a new beginning,” explained Hyeongjun. “So these moments can be the chance for us to change perspective, overcome the fear. What we had in our mind while preparing for this album was how we depict hope, rather than merely expressing fear and anxiety.”

In 2024, Cravity featured on Mnet’s boy band reality competition program “Road to Kingdom: ACE OF ACE,” ultimately clinching first place. Following the victory, Cravity declared a major renewal of its identity with its full-length album “Dare to Crave.” Originally a combination of “creativity” and “gravity,” the group’s name was redefined as a blend of “crave” and “gravity,” symbolizing a powerful force that draws people together and a desire that blooms in between to create one’s true self. As part of its rebranding effort, Serim — who had led the group since its debut — passed the leadership baton to Wonjin and Hyeongjun.

But the members said the group’s rebranding does not mean everything Cravity has built so far has been erased.

“When we first announced our rebranding, there were concerns from fans that it might mean denying the Cravity they loved up to now,” said Taeyoung. “But we haven’t changed at our core, and the time we spent with our fans hasn’t disappeared. So more than anything, I think it was a chance for us to reassess our goals and think about how to keep moving forward.”

Still, he added with a smile, the ultimate goal remains success.

Now, fresh off celebrating its sixth debut anniversary on April 14, the boy band faces what is considered one of the most pivotal moments for a K-pop act’s career: contract renewal.

“We had been talking about our own thoughts and concerns with one another before preparing for this album,” shared Wonjin. “But we have a comeback coming up. The conclusion for now was that we will focus on that at this moment — for our fans who have been waiting for us.”

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]