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| ▲ This image of K-pop girl group BB Girls is provided by GLG. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- "Our biggest confidence booster is our hit songs. When we play Rollin’, people cheer for us. Now, we want to create our 'next' big moment," said Minyoung, expressing the group's ambitions.
BB Girls, formerly known as Brave Girls (second generation), have experienced a rollercoaster journey in the ever-changing K-pop industry since their debut in 2016. Despite years of obscurity, they rose to fame in 2020 when Rollin’ went viral and achieved chart-topping success. Hits like We Ride and Chi Mat Ba Ram followed, solidifying their place in K-pop.
After their contract with their former agency ended in 2023, the group rebranded as BB Girls. However, their journey took another turn when member Yujeong departed, leaving Minyoung, Eunji, and Yuna to continue as a trio under GLG, the agency behind the girl group H1-KEY. After a 17-month hiatus, they returned with their new single LOVE 2 on Wednesday.
Meeting with BB Girls at a cafe in Seoul’s Gangnam District, the members reflected on their journey.
"We were a group that gave hope through our reverse charting success. However, we acknowledge that our momentum slowed, and our confidence dipped after our peak. Through performances, we regained our confidence and prepared ourselves for this comeback," they said.
Discussing their new dynamic as a trio, they admitted, "It's a lie to say we don't feel nervous or pressured. But the challenges we’ve faced have made us stronger and more united. We approached this comeback with a fresh mindset and confidence."
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| ▲ This image of K-pop girl group BB Girls is provided by GLG. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Their new single, LOVE 2, is an upbeat yet tender dance-pop track that captures the beginning of a romantic connection. Produced by Sweetune, known for creating hits for second-generation idols like KARA, INFINITE, and Rainbow, the track reflects the nostalgic charm of K-pop’s golden era.
The group praised their chemistry during rehearsals. "We found that the three of us work surprisingly well together," Yuna noted. Eunji added, "The rapid changes in the music industry have kept us on our toes, and we’ve prepared with extra care."
The group also opened up about the impact of Yujeong’s departure during their hiatus.
"We’re all in our 30s now, and this stage of life brings its share of soul-searching. Even after our success, the uncertainties remained. Ultimately, Yujeong’s decision to leave was hers to make, and after many conversations, we chose to respect her wishes," Minyoung explained.
Looking back, Minyoung admitted, "Not everything goes as planned, but we’ve persevered through tough times and even achieved our chart reversal. Seeing our fans and fellow members who stayed by our side gave me the strength to believe, 'We can make it again.'"
Outside of music, Minyoung shared her experience of running a café, which she closed after a year due to the challenges of small business ownership.
"I want to support small business owners. What felt devastating at the time eventually became something I overcame with the help of my members. Alone, I wouldn’t have made it," she said.
Yuna humorously referred to their group as "phoenix idols," combining the resilience of a phoenix with their determination to rise again in the idol industry.
"We re-debuted just two years ago, so we still feel like rookies. We’re determined to keep standing back up, no matter what," she said.
Eunji expressed the group’s ultimate goal for this comeback: "We haven’t performed at a year-end awards show since 2021. Watching last year’s stages, we told ourselves, 'Let’s make it there this time.' We want to deliver a strong performance and stand on that stage again."
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