Off the Beat

On March 12, Sony Music Korea announced that I.M will make a comeback in April, three months since the release of his digital single "Slowly" featuring Heize.^[1] On March 13, it was revealed through the official SNS that he will release an extended play Off the Beat on April 3, ten months since the release of his second extended play Overdrive,^[2] with the lead single "Lure" revealed on March 18.^[3] On March 29, the album preview was released.^[4]

The physical EP was released in two standard versions; Off and Beat,^[5] with the addition of jewel case and Nemo versions.^[6]

I.M made his name on all track credits, participating in the production of all songs.^[3]

Off the Beat expressed the "atypical" nature of being unconventional through music.^[4] It was sonically more upbeat than Overdrive, incorporating influences from hip hop, soul, R&B, and Latin music.^[7]

In April, Sony Music Korea collaborated with B.stage for the opening of "Imvitation - on the low" pop-up store, to commemorate the release of his album.^[8] It was also announced that he will have his first world tour Off the Beat, to be held in eighteen cities in ten countries.^[9]

I.M received his first Hanteo Chart Bronze Certification Plaque for achieving more than 100,000 copies in Initial Chodong sales in its first week of release in South Korea.^[10]