Earlier this week, K-pop stars IVE made their comeback with their third mini-album, IVE Empathy, featuring the brand-new single “Attitude.” The track is driven by a high-energy pulse, blending disco-pop and electro-pop elements. That same energy is reflected in the accompanying music video, where the six members perform choreography that seamlessly complements the song. One standout element of “Attitude” is its unmistakable sample. The song immediately opens with Jang Wonyoung singing, “Da-ra, da-da-da-ra / Da-da-da-ra, da-da-da-ra / Da-da-da-ra, da-da-da-ra / Da-da-da-ra, da-da-da-ra, da-da,” a direct lift from Suzanne Vega’s timeless 1987 hit “Tom’s Diner.” The sample recurs throughout the track, adding to its infectious rhythm.
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This isn’t the first time “Tom’s Diner” has been sampled. Over the years, many artists, particularly in the hip-hop genre, have incorporated its iconic melody, including Yo Gotti, 2Pac, and Lil’ Kim. More recently, rapper Cupcakke interpolated it in her track “Dora,” while Myke Towers and Benny Blanco gave it a Latin twist in “Degenere.”
Returning to IVE, IVE Empathy marks the group’s first musical release of 2025. In addition to “Attitude,” the EP includes “Rebel Heart,” which debuted at No. 97 on the Billboard Global 200 and reached the top five in South Korea. Fan reactions to “Attitude” have been mixed—some listeners praise its catchy melody and the group’s confident delivery, considering it a strong addition to IVE’s discography. Others feel that while the song is solid, it lacks the “wow” factor of the group’s previous title tracks, describing it as slower and less impactful.
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