[INTERVIEW] tripleS EVOLution Deep Dives Into Their Dynamic Debut and What It Means To Be Invincible

The Seoul Story had the opportunity to speak to tripleS EVOLution, the group’s newest sub-unit, in conjunction with their recent album release, ⟡(Mujuk). Members YooYeon, Mayu, NaKyoung, Kotone, ChaeYeon, JiWoo, SooMin, and YeonJi did not hold back as they discussed their “dreamy” title track and unique concept, among other topics.

Q: It is the first time debuting for the three members, while others have already made their debut in different sub-units. Can you share your experience debuting in a new sub-unit for those who have already debuted? How are you feeling about the debut?

Mayu: This is my debut, and it’s a dream I’ve had since I was young. I’m incredibly happy about it right now. But it’s just the beginning. I’m committed to working hard and becoming an artist who can bring happiness and joy to many people.
NaKyoung: It’s been a while since my last comeback with Rising, and I was thrilled to see our fans again with the debut of EVOLution. Being part of this new sub-unit has allowed me to create wonderful memories with my fellow members.

Q: With a concept like tripleS, how do you as the members keep the bond within the group?

YooYeon: Our team comes together based on fan decisions, so we make an effort to communicate extensively within the group to build stronger bonds and support one another. We also hold regular meetings to give feedback, discuss the team’s needs, and ensure we’re working together effectively.

Q: Could you share with us the most memorable moment preparing this album?

YeonJi: I believe it was during the music video shoot. It was my first debut, and everything felt fresh since I’ve never participated in a music video before. I encountered some challenges and felt like I missed a few details, but thanks to the support of the members, I managed to overcome those difficulties. Our music video also showcases some aspects of tripleS that we hadn’t revealed to the public previously, as we ventured into new territory with new challenges. The whole process was enjoyable overall.

Q: Your group is formed through votes. How do you feel about being chosen to debut?

JiWoo: Since the team is determined by fan votes, we find it more meaningful, and we are committed to delivering even more fruitful outcomes to meet our fans’ expectations.

Q: What are the pros of being a part of a large and complex group?

YooYeon: Being a large group offers the advantage of having many members, which allows us to form various units, each showcasing different and unique styles. Moreover, our choreography and performances benefit from the mutual energy and synergy we draw from one another, resulting in fantastic stages. Also, because all of the members have their own unique charms, so the fans are not able to escape from them.

Q: What is the most interesting part of being in the group with a dynamic line-up like tripleS?

JiWoo: One of the benefits of being in this group is that our sub-units are determined through a fan vote called Gravity. This allows us to showcase a different facet of our talents each time, enabling us to present diverse concepts and music.

Q: As some of you have been part of other sub-units, do you notice anything different in terms of work?

NaKyoung: The key difference lies in the way our energy and dance skills come together as a team. When making comebacks with different sub-units, I prioritise teamwork, focusing on how well our members collaborate. You can expect a vibrant and energetic atmosphere from us as a team.

Q: Being sub-units from the same group, how do you feel EVOLution’s concept and sounds differ or line up with other sub-units in the group, like LOVElution’s recent comeback?

ChaeYeon: Both EVOLution and LOVElution are sub-units of tripleS, sharing a common message of self-confidence and self-love. LOVElution expresses this message through a bright, refreshing, and exciting image, while EVOLution does so with a strong, intense, and cool image. This difference in image is what sets the two units apart.

Q: If you could take any other tripleS sub-unit song and make it into an EVOLution song instead, which song would you choose and why?

Mayu: Personally, I choose the song Generation because I remember seeing its performance on television when I was a student in Japan, and it serves as the debut song for tripleS, holding significant meaning. Therefore, I’m eager to give it a try.

Q: What are the three hashtags that best describe the group, EVOLution?

SooMin: I believe the three hashtags that best describe our group are “#strength”, “#invincibility”, and “#shine”. The “#shine” comes from the symbolism of a diamond representing EVOLution, and it embodies both “#strength” and “#invincibility” due to its hardness and resilience.

Q: ⟡(Mujuk)’s title track, Invincible is about relentlessly pursuing a dream in the face of hardship. Similarly, tripleS is an ambitious project. How do you overcome the potentially unique challenges in pursuing this dream?

JiWoo: If there’s something I want to try, I always give it a shot. By persistently trying and challenging myself, I’ve learned that I usually achieve something in the end if I just take that chance. So, regardless of the outcome, I want to keep giving myself the opportunity to try.

Q: tripleS works closely with many talented creatives, such as creative director and CEO Jaden Jeong, producers Monotree and BADD, and production company Undermood Film. While preparing for ⟡(Mujuk), how would you say that collaboration has impacted your personal artistic journey?

YooYeon: Collaborating with skilled creatives and receiving their feedback during the production process helped me enhance my overall skills and experiment with various musical genres. Their focus on elevating the album’s quality beyond what we can achieve as a group consistently yields outstanding results. Additionally, on a personal level, working with them has expanded my artistic horizons.

Q: Considering that each unit has its own color, what characteristic would describe tripleS EVOLution the best?

JiWoo: The representative song of EVOLution, Invincible, draws parallels between us and diamonds, emphasising our resilience and strength. In a way, we are like diamonds, so I’d say our color is clear just like diamonds.

Q: Can you break down the music for us, with regards to the vibe and the influences of your latest song?

YooYeon: The title track, Invincible, is a fast-paced song with a dreamy vibe, accompanied by a dynamic performance. The message we aim to convey through this song is the idea of overcoming challenges and coming back stronger than before.

Q: Invincible was up against Rising. To those that were in both units, which do you think suits EVOLution better?

ChaeYeon: Firstly, Rising was the debut song presented to the public with all the members of tripleS, serving as the title track that represented ASSEMBLE. It truly encapsulates the essence of the 10-person group. On the other hand, as a part of tripleS EVOLution, Invincible is vital for us to convey our Invincible spirit. In summary, Rising perfectly complements the vibe of a 10-person group, while Invincible is the ideal title track for EVOLution. If I were to make the decision again, I believe Invincible would still be the right choice for EVOLution.

Q: Can you share with us an interesting or a funny story that happened during the filming of your music video?

YeonJi: In the music video, there’s a very short scene where we go up and down the stairs. I remember climbing those stairs countless times for a scene that made the final cut for just a few seconds. During the shoot, we couldn’t help but laugh and joke about how we were burning calories and it felt like a workout.

Q: The lyrics of one of the tracks in the EP, Moto Princess was written by member SoHyun. Are there any members who are into music composition as well and can we anticipate more members to participate in songwritings in the future?

JiWoo: Kotone and I have expressed our interest in music composition and lyrics-writing before. So if we get a chance, we would love to try.

Q: Fans are curious about the behind-the-scenes of the album preparation process. Could you share with us more about how the members participated in the creative process of this album?

Kotone: As shared, SoHyun, a member of tripleS, contributed to the lyrics of the song Moto Princess. However, due to her involvement in promoting the sub-unit LOVElution, she wasn’t able to take part in the recording or producing of this track. Nonetheless, she played a key role in crafting the lyrics for the song.

Q: There are a few supernatural/super-power themed scenes in the Invincible music video. If you could have any super power, what power would each of you choose?

SooMin: I want to be able to read people’s minds. It’s the toughest thing to understand, but with that power, I believe I can handle any future challenges. Plus, it would help me understand my fans better and show them more love.

Q: What would you do if you were invincible for one day?

YeonJi: When we walk on the streets, we can’t go through walls, so we have to go around them. If I were Invincible for a day, I would break through walls to reach my destination more quickly.

Q: If you could choose a member to be your personal stylist for a week, who would she be?

Kotone: Mayu has a great sense of style, and I believe if she were to become our stylist, she would be able to select outfits that suit all of the members perfectly. That’s why I chose her for the role.

Q: Do you have a person, famous or otherwise, who has inspired you?

ChaeYeon: Former figure-skating athlete, Yuna Kim, is a significant source of inspiration for me. Her mindset of constant learning and the determination to keep practicing to achieve her goals are qualities we can all learn from.

Q: Since your album’s title refers to a diamond, what is a specific trait or skill that each of you have that makes you shine the brightest?

YooYeon: I think it would be a good idea to go around and answer this question. Starting off, it is my determination and passion that shines through.
SooMin: During the process of perfecting our performance, the fact that we help one another is what makes us shine the brightest.
Kotone: I think the fact that we all respect one another is what makes us shine.
YeonJi: I think what makes us shine is ourselves enjoying the stage and the performance.
NaKyoung: Trusting one another and the energy that we share is the driving force of our group.
ChaeYeon: What truly shines and holds value is the confidence all members have in themselves, in our team, and in our shared pursuit of our dreams as we move forward.
Mayu: I think it is the teamwork. We are always shining bright when all eight of us are together.
JiWoo: While each member shines individually and possesses great mindsets, it’s our fans who make us shine the brightest.

Q: Was there a message that you want to convey to the listeners with this album?

YooYeon: With our album ⟡(Mujuk), our intention was to convey a message of self-love, emphasising the importance of loving oneself. Just like diamonds that are hard to break, overcoming difficulties and challenges will only make you stronger.

Q: What is a compliment that you would like to hear from others?

Kotone: Since this is a sub-unit formed specifically by our fans, we appreciate compliments about our performances, like hearing that our performances were exceptional or our stages were phenomenal.

Q: Your fans get to choose the members of EVOLution through a voting process, which must have been so exciting. So what has it been like to now be able to meet those fans and see how much they love you?

Kotone: YeonJi, Mayu, and I are making our debut through EVOLution, and it was our first time meeting and greeting our fans on stage. When we saw them in person, we could truly sense their genuine love for us, and that feeling empowered and energized us a lot.

Q: Fans are such a big part of your group’s story. What do your fans mean to you?

Kotone: Our fans are the source of energy that keeps us going, and with them waiting for us, it has enabled us to make this debut. We look forward to more opportunities to meet our fans in person, and feeling their support inspires me to give my best even during our practice sessions.

About tripleS EVOLution

tripleS EVOLution is the fifth and newest sub-unit under the K-Pop girl group, tripleS, debuting with their first mini album, ⟡(Mujuk). They are a eight member group managed under Modhaus Inc., consisting of YooYeon, Mayu, NaKyoung, Kotone, ChaeYeon, JiWoo, SooMin, and YeonJi, which was formed through their fans’ votes in their most recent Grand Gravity event. Some of tripleS’s other units are Acid Angel from Asia, +(KR)ystal Eyes, ACID EYES, and LOVElution.

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Many thanks to Modhaus and tripleS EVOLution for the interview opportunity!

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