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| Members of K-pop girl group STAYC perform during an online press event, Monday. Courtesy of High-Up Entertainment |
By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop rookie STAYC has been sticking to a teenage-like, “healthy” image since its debut last November in order to forge its musical identity. But now, the six-piece act aims to take the next step to express some social messages through its new tracks. And one of them is about “stereotypes,” also the title of its first mini-album released Monday.
“To date, we have mostly focused on displaying our identity and strengths through songs like ‘So Bad’ (2020) and ‘ASAP’ (2021), but this time, we want to relay meaningful messages for people,” member Sumin said during an online press conference on Monday. The event took place a few hours ahead of the album release.
“STEREOTYPE is also the title of our lead single, in which we ask listeners to appreciate people’s inner sides instead of judging them by their appearances.”
The vibrant tune was made by Blacked Eyed Pilseung, a songwriting duo consisting of Rado and Choi Kyu-sung. After establishing High-Up Entertainment in 2017, the two, who had given birth to a string of K-pop hits including TWICE’s “Cheer Up” (2016) and Apink’s “I’m So Sick” (2018), debuted its first K-pop group STAYC in 2020. They composed “STEREOTYPE” two years ago as they were preparing to launch STAYC, but postponed its release until this month, thinking it was the right time for the stars to express that message of the song.
“STEREOTYPE is the first track that we received after we formed STAYC,” Seeun said. “Given its high quality, we wanted to release it as soon as possible… So we are very glad to do so this time. All of us spent a long time practicing for its performance, so we are quite confident as well.”
And the group’s new anthem is already making waves. Upon its release, it ranked first on the Bugs real-time chart ― one of the major streaming platforms in Korea ― and also grabbed the top spots on Genie and Melon. As of Tuesday afternoon, its music video attracted more than 5.3 million views.
Yoon revealed that Black Eyed Pilseung helped the members display their unique characters when recording the track. But “they did not give us very specific directions,” she said.
During the session, the K-pop stars also touched on their own stereotypical images.
“I heard some people saying we look reserved and cold-blooded,” Sumin said. “But that’s not true. Although we are shy of strangers, we are mostly very chatty and cheerful.”
STAYC’s first mini-album also carries three other tracks of diverse genres including “I’ll be there,” “Slow Down,” and “Complex.”
“We offer two different versions of the album ― the funky and the dreamy,” Isa said.
J ended the session by disclosing her ambitions.
“I hope STAYC can win some music shows and receive Rookie of the Year awards (at the end of this year)” she said.
STAYC aims to beat ‘STEREOTYPE’ with new album
Source: Buhay Kapa PH
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