IVE has officially launched its “Looks Can Kill” comeback, but DIVE still has another important date ahead. The six-member group released the title track on October 19, giving fans a first taste of its new musical direction before the complete EP arrives on October 26. The one-week gap means listeners can already stream the song and watch its music video, while collectors are deciding between physical album versions and fans in Japan have separate promotional campaigns to consider. With different dates, retailers and rewards involved, understanding what is available now could save fans some confusion before the full release.
According to Starship Entertainment, “Looks Can Kill” is an electronic dance-pop track built around the message that anyone can become the protagonist and hero of their own life. The song was released at 6 p.m. Korea Standard Time on October 19, and Apple Music’s US storefront now lists it as a standalone single running approximately three minutes. IVE’s official Japanese website also confirmed that the music video premiered the same day. The agency describes an arrangement featuring synthesizer textures, heavy bass, dynamic drums and electronic sounds, with a bridge that changes the atmosphere before the final chorus. Those details offer an early picture of the comeback’s confident “girl hero” concept, although the full EP will provide more context for the group’s musical direction.
The most important distinction is that the title track and the complete EP are two separate releases. Fans searching for “Looks Can Kill” on streaming platforms can already find the single, but that does not mean the complete October 26 project has arrived. Starship confirmed the release schedule in September, and the group’s official teaser calendar has included concept photographs, music-video previews and other promotional content leading up to the album. The comeback follows IVE’s second full-length album, REVIVE+, released in February 2026, and its recently completed SHOW WHAT I AM world tour. The timing gives fans a new song to enjoy immediately while leaving the broader album experience for the following week.
For collectors, the physical release involves another set of choices. IVE’s official Japanese distribution announcement lists four versions of Looks Can Kill: GIRL HERO, HERO COMICS, HERO ON SET and LOVED IVE. The Japan-market price is 3,900 yen per copy, including tax, through participating retailers. That price should not be mistaken for a worldwide standard, and local stores may have different pricing, shipping charges and availability. Fans buying primarily for the packaging or collectible inclusions should also distinguish between an album’s regular contents and bonuses offered by individual retailers. A photocard advertised by one store may not be included with the same version purchased elsewhere.
Japan’s official preorder information gives a clear example of how those differences work. Tower Records, HMV, Sony Music Shop and A!SMART each offer designated random member selfie photocards alongside promotional application serial numbers, subject to the listed conditions and availability. Tower Records’ Shibuya location has an additional holographic photocard promotion for customers purchasing two eligible copies in the same transaction. That particular benefit is not a universal bonus attached to every Looks Can Kill album. The official notice also warns that quantities are limited and some offers may end when supplies run out. For DIVE ordering from outside Japan, the safest approach is to check the exact retailer, product version, included benefits and delivery conditions before paying.
The single has its own Japan-focused digital promotion, running from October 19 at 6 p.m. Japan time through November 1 at 11:59 p.m. Sony Music Japan says fans using eligible services, including Spotify, Apple Music, LINE MUSIC, Amazon Music, AWA and YouTube Music, can receive an original digital wallpaper by completing the specified listening, favorite-registration and sharing steps. Participants must share the track on X or Instagram Stories with the campaign hashtag and their impressions, save a screenshot and submit it through the official application form. Private social accounts are not eligible under the published rules. Simply listening to the song or liking a promotional post does not complete the application.
A second Japanese campaign has a different reward and a much higher participation requirement. Listeners who play “Looks Can Kill” at least 1,000 times on LINE MUSIC during the campaign period can enter a drawing for one of six limited solo-member instant photographs. Sony Music Japan specifies that eligible listening must be through online streaming rather than offline downloads, and participants need to submit a screenshot showing their play count through LINE MUSIC’s ranking feature. The listening period ends November 1, while the application deadline is November 2 at 11:59 p.m. Japan time. The official rules also limit prize shipping to addresses in Japan, making this a particularly important distinction for international fans.
The staggered schedule also leaves room for questions about how the complete EP will compare with its advance single. IVE has already introduced the project’s visual themes through concepts such as GIRL HERO, HERO COMICS and HERO ON SET, while the “Looks Can Kill” track emphasizes self-confidence and taking control of one’s own story. The tracklist was unveiled ahead of release, but the remaining songs’ full arrangements cannot be judged from the title track alone. Similarly, although IVE recently completed an international tour across Asia, Oceania and North America, that history does not establish any additional tour dates or new concerts specifically connected to this EP. Fans should rely on separate official announcements for future performances.
For now, the comeback calendar has a straightforward answer. “Looks Can Kill” is available to stream, and its official music video is online. October 26 remains the scheduled date for the complete EP, while Japan’s preorder bonuses and streaming campaigns carry their own conditions, deadlines and eligibility rules. The single offers an immediate introduction to IVE’s latest concept, but the full album will determine how far that musical and visual direction extends. For DIVE, the next week is not simply a countdown. It is a chance to enjoy the new release, make informed purchasing decisions and prepare for the rest of IVE’s comeback without confusing confirmed announcements with expectations.