An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Jini. It was released by ATOC on October 11, 2023. The EP contains five tracks, including the lead single "C'mon" featuring Aminé.
Title
The title of the album, An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove, encapsulates the contrasting notions of a 'Velvet Glove', representing softness and beauty, and an 'Iron Hand', symbolizing strength and resilience.[2]
Background and release
On December 9, 2022, JYP Entertainment announced that Jini, then member of the South Korean girl group Nmixx under the stage name Jinni, had departed from the group and terminated her contract due to personal circumstances.[3] On March 18, 2023, 3 months after her departure from the group, Jini opened up a personal Instagram account, hinting at a possible return to the entertainment industry.[4] On April 14, it was reported that Jini had signed an exclusive contract with the record label United Artist Production (UAP),[5] which has since changed its name to ATOC.[6] Further hints of her return were teased in a TikTok video posted on September 3, which featured clips of her seemingly recording a song and rehearsing a dance choreography.[7]
On September 14, 2023, Jini announced her debut as a solo artist with An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove.[8] The next day, the promotion schedule was released, revealing the EP's release date to be October 11, 2023.[2] A trailer for the EP was released on September 18.[9] On September 23, the track listing for the EP was released with "C'mon" announced as the lead single.[10] Concept videos featuring short snippets of the five tracks on the EP was released on September 25 and 27.[11] On October 4, the music video for the track "Bad Reputation" was released ahead of the release of the EP.[12] Teasers for the music video for the title track "C'mon" were released on October 6 and 9.[13]
On October 11, 2023, An Iron Hand in a Velvet Glove was released along with the music video for its title track "C'mon".[14]
^ abKim, Ji-won (September 15, 2023). "[공식] '엔믹스 탈퇴' 지니, 10일 11일 솔로 데뷔" [[Official] Jini, who left Nmixx, debuts solo on the 10th and 11th] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via Naver.
^Ahn, Yun-ji (December 9, 2022). "엔믹스 지니, 탈퇴→JYP와 전속계약 해지 "6인 체제 활동"[전문]" [Nmixx Jinni leaves → terminates exclusive contract with JYP “Activities as a 6-member system” [Full text]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 9, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via Naver.
^Lee, Mi-ji (March 18, 2023). "[팝업★]엔믹스 탈퇴 지니, 채널 개설 직후 45만↑..연예계 활동 복귀하나" [[Pop-up★] Jini leaves Nmixx, 450,000 immediately after opening channel.. Will she return to entertainment industry?]. Herald Pop (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via Naver.
^Jeon, Hyo-jin (September 8, 2023). "엔믹스 출신 지니 소속사, UAP→ATOC 사명 변경" [Jini's agency from Nmixx changes its name from UAP to ATOC.]. Sports Donga (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. Retrieved September 15, 2023 – via Naver.
^Oh, Seo-rin (September 23, 2023). "엔믹스 출신 지니, 데뷔 앨범 트랙리스트→타이틀곡 공개" [Jini from Nmixx, debut album tracklist → title song revealed]. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 26, 2023.
^Moon, Ye-bin (September 27, 2023). "지니, 신보 콘셉트 트랙 필름 공개…우아하고도 강렬하게" [Jini unveils new album concept track film... Elegantly and intensely] (in Korean). Newsis. Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023 – via Naver.