(YG Entertainment)

One of the phrases most frequently heard in this scorching weather might be “This is killing me.”

B.I of iKon, a main songwriter and composer in the band, explained that such an observation from his everyday life served as an inspiration for “Killing Me,” the lead track off the group’s new album “New Kids: Continue.”

“I got stuck to that phrase ‘killing me.’ Although it describes how a breakup feels in the song, it’s such a common phrase we use every day, such as when the weather is hot or when we face hardships. I think I heard it from almost everyone around me,” the artist said during an interview for the group’s new album in Seoul on Thursday.

The song, which veers away from the group’s previous mellow vibe of “Love Scenario,” lands on a more powerful and dark image, serving as a dramatic directional change and maturing for iKon.

“It’s killing me, this time again. Your traces bug me. I turned my back on you as if we’re strangers, but it’s killing me. Why am I lonely?” sings the group in the post breakup song.

“So I gave a little twist on that daily language by using it in the context of love. I recommend listeners to focus on the song’s title when listening to it. It will be easy to relate to,” he added.

“New Kids: Return” is slated for release on Thursday afternoon. The seven-piece act is also set to hold its “iKon 2018 Continue Tour,” which will kick off at 5 p.m. on Aug. 18 at Seoul’s Olympic Park Gymnastics Stadium.

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)