To have a defined image is something everyone strives toward. It can take years for some. But K-pop girl group ITZY has known who they are from the beginning.

Their debut in 2019 with "DALLA DALLA" set this tone. After all, its title translates to "different, different."

Members Yeji, Lia (who was absent from this interview), Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna have paved their legacy through energetic and infectious tracks, iconic choreographies and themes of empowerment and individuality.

At the time of their debut, ITZY won several new artist awards, including "Rookie of the Year" at the Golden Disc Awards, "Best New Female Artist" at the MAMA Awards and "Best New Female Artist" at the Melon Music Awards, becoming the first K-pop girl group to achieve a "Rookie Grand Slam."

ITZY has since toured the globe, hit the Billboard charts and received various accolades and achievements. And the group's prowess continues to climb, cementing their position as one of the top forces in K-pop.

As the new year is underway, ITZY is showing who they were "BORN TO BE" with their latest release.

"(It's) the same strong ITZY, but a little bit mature and also a little bit chic," said Ryujin, 22.

'BORN TO BE' brings a mature side to ITZY

ITZY's previous EP "KILL MY DOUBT" dove into the titular concept. While the former explored overcoming adversity, the group's newest album "BORN TO BE" has pushed beyond that.

"BORN TO BE" released Jan. 8 and places ITZY on the precipice of actualization. It serves as culmination of all they have done and will continue to do.

The 10-song album furthers the group's ethos as bold and versatile performers. It's still ITZY at heart, but they are evolving as artists.

"It has a very similar energy that we carry from recent albums, but also having a mature part," said Ryujin.

"As we're getting older, we can see that we're much more mature," said Yuna, 20. "I think it eventually appears in this new album that we've evolved."

With maturity comes strength, and this is a key theme portrayed throughout the album, according to the group's leader Yeji, 23.

"As 'BORN TO BE' is the topic of this album, I want to tell our fans to be always confident and I want to give comfort to MIDZYs and give them energy," she said.

This particularly comes to light in the lead single "UNTOUCHABLE."

"This song contains the message that 'I won't break easily," said Yuna. "It's a very strong song."

Working on solo tracks

The album also features solo tracks from each member. Through their own music videos, the members got to further showcase their individual talents.

While filming her song "Yet, but", Yuna said she realized how far she has come and how much she has grown.

Yeji said she is grateful for the experience and gained a lot of insight while working on her solo track "Crown on My Head" and its music video.

"I think I put a lot of thought and effort into how I could work well with the dancers to show a complete performance," she said.

The experience did present challenges for the members as it was the first time they worked on and released individual tracks.

"I missed my members a lot in the song, so I could think about my weakness and strength both at one time," said Ryujin.

"There were a lot of difficult parts, but I enjoyed it because I felt like it was a time where I could capture and learn by myself," said Chaeryeong, 22.

Reflecting on growth, becoming ITZY

In the nearly five years since debut, the members have grown a lot, said Ryujin. They have come to work through their problems and troubles together.

Their maturity and evolution have been evident in their recent releases, with the members becoming more comfortable with their own abilities.

"Before I used to have some difficulties in the recording room, like expressing myself fully," said Chaeryeong. "But now, I'm much more confident."

"Every time I try my best to show new moods and vibes to be able to show a new side of myself, which led me to evolve vocally," said Yeji.

In all that ITZY does, Yuna hopes their fans (who they call MIDZY) can lean on them. "When MIDZY is smiling, we are smiling as well," she said. "That's our relationship."

Chaeryeong said she prepared "BORN TO BE" with MIDZY in mind.

"I hope that MIDZY will be proud of ITZY and if they are happy, we are also happy," she said. "Through this album, we hope to show MIDZYs who ITZY really is."

And the members have a firm idea of who they are meant to be.

"Just ITZY," said Yuna, with Ryujin adding "ITZY is untouchable."