SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korean artist BIBI has officially released her highly anticipated sophomore album entitled “EVE: ROMANCE” on Wednesday. This project showcases her distinctive genre-defying sound while integrating philosophical themes that provoke thought and reflection. BIBI, known for her fluid movements between pop, R&B, hip-hop, and electronic music, has successfully built a reputation for being bold and unapologetic in an industry often governed by stringent image management.

The new album consists of 14 tracks, which include six new songs in addition to previously released hits such as “Bam Yang Gang” and “Derre.” In an interview with The Associated Press, BIBI elaborated on the album's lead single “Apocalypse,” which features a more poetic Korean title that translates to “The Apple Tree of the End Times.”

In her explanation of the song, BIBI reflected on the metaphorical significance of the apple tree. “I thought, if there was the fruit of knowledge of good and evil at the beginning, then this would be the apple tree at the end of times,” she stated. She highlighted the philosophical notion that when asked how one might spend their last day on Earth, different responses can emerge, such as planting an apple tree or indulging in an orgy. BIBI argues that despite their apparent differences, both actions relate to the concept of planting seeds for the future.

BIBI’s approach to these themes may come across as provocative, particularly within the conservative boundaries of South Korean society, where discussions about sexuality are often rare and considered taboo. “In reality, everything has an end, and what each person chooses to do in that moment is their own,” she commented. “It can’t be labeled as good or bad. After all, isn’t the very idea of good and evil ambiguous?”