- 4 months ago
GIRLSET is back! Formerly known as VCHA, GIRLSET makes their return to the music scene and sat down with Billboard to dive into it all. From going through the K-pop training system during A2K, to past member lawsuits and allegations, and those KATSEYE comparisons, Girlset doesn’t hold back
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MusicTranscript
00:00Well, I don't know if this counts as a mantra, but I feel like we always say everything happens for a reason.
00:13You guys are finally back in the spotlight, you know, back to the grind.
00:17How does it feel to kind of come out of a waiting period and finally be out again?
00:21I mean, I think it's definitely like a shift because for some time we weren't like grinding as much as we're doing now.
00:28So it's kind of just getting back in the feeling and the vibes.
00:32It's very different now.
00:34It's kind of just getting into this vibe again.
00:36But, I mean, we love it.
00:38You guys have gone through a lot of change in two years than most groups see in five.
00:43And there's a lot to be said, you know, and like, frankly, how did you guys feel whenever headlines hit about a lot of controversy?
00:52Maybe KG's lawsuit, Kaylee's health hiatus.
00:54How did that hit you guys personally and did it affect your confidence at all?
00:57I think it definitely hit hard at some points.
01:00Some things were unexpected.
01:03Some others were not recent news to us.
01:07And I feel like we had a lot of deep intertwined feelings about everything because obviously of our journey where we came from,
01:15our relationships with people, with the past members, everything.
01:19But I feel like us to rely on, like, we just relied on each other.
01:26And we're able to, one, like, talk about how we were feeling with each other.
01:29And also I feel like it's so important that we were able to, like, put those into songs that we've written as well.
01:35That's become a big way for us to express ourselves and is the way that we want to communicate with the world how we feel.
01:41Because, frankly, there is just so much to be said that we feel that it's, you can't describe everything.
01:47It's kind of impossible to, like, sit down and explain everything.
01:50There's just too much to describe.
01:51I feel like songs is our way of kind of saying how we feel.
01:56And I really hope people try to see that as, like, our way of sharing our story.
02:03This is what we feel about the situation.
02:05Right.
02:05You know, this is, like, our story.
02:08So I really hope that people listen to those songs and the lyrics and try to really see our side and how we feel about it.
02:15Right.
02:16Because, you know, I think that's important.
02:18I feel like people haven't heard, like, from us.
02:21So I understand when people have opinions.
02:25Yeah.
02:25But I just want them.
02:27You need both sides of the story.
02:29You need, yeah.
02:30Yeah.
02:30Well, will both sides of the story be told eventually, either through music or otherwise?
02:34Through music, for sure.
02:35Yeah.
02:35Was there a point in time where you guys thought that maybe things wouldn't continue?
02:38I mean, I think there could be certain moments we were, like, you know, obviously things hit.
02:44Unserging teeth.
02:45Yeah.
02:46Things you can't control.
02:47Well, maybe, I don't know, who knows, are we going to continue?
02:50But, you know, I think we found a group in us.
02:53And, like, we've been saying, this felt like the right time and, like, the moment for us to finally be out there and, like, share who we are.
03:01Yeah.
03:01And truly be girl set.
03:02Did you feel supported?
03:04You know, what was the vibe, I guess, kind of going through a lot of these tougher times?
03:08I mean, there was definitely a lot of change, not only, like, internal, external, like, kind of everything went through change.
03:15We definitely had a lot of communication.
03:17Yeah.
03:17As we became a lot more involved in the creative process, we really wanted to be able to define who we are moving forward as girl set.
03:24And so I think that's where, like, the biggest changes were with us and with JYP was with our creativeness.
03:31If we want to go all the way back, girl set started with A2K.
03:42Yes.
03:42You know, and I feel like that is such a long time ago at this point, you know.
03:46But when you guys first auditioned, what were you chasing?
03:49Was it validation?
03:50Was it community?
03:51Was it trying to prove something to yourselves?
03:53What was that?
03:53You know, to be honest, I think for me, definitely, I always wanted to be a singer.
03:58Back then, like, I really liked K-pop, and I always imagined, like, oh, my God, being in a girl group would be so iconic.
04:04Because also, I really liked pop groups as well.
04:06But it was, like, kind of a far dream because it seemed like it was not possible back then.
04:12So when I got that opportunity, I was just like, I'm getting it.
04:16I'm going to be in a girl group because it was my dream pretty much.
04:19Yeah.
04:19Yeah, I mean, it's a drive for the art, really, what you create and what you do and that, really, and, like, how it makes you feel.
04:27And it's just so much better doing it with other people.
04:30Oh, yeah.
04:30It's like you're never alone, and you just have people that...
04:34It's more fun together.
04:35It is.
04:36For sure.
04:37I mean, what was it about the K-pop industry?
04:39I mean, why K-pop, coming from Western cities?
04:41I think just the performance aspect of it all is just so, like, they just put a huge focus on it.
04:47And I like how they capture, you know, with the dance and singing and, like, everything together.
04:52It's always so, like, eye-catching.
04:54Yeah.
04:54So, during this audition process, it must have been hard.
04:57So, what was the hardest part for...
04:59And you don't all have to answer if you don't want to, but how did you, like, pull yourself out of one of those moments?
05:05I think, for me, it was just taking it, like, day by day because your growth doesn't happen overnight, I think, was something that I realized throughout the show and just the training period.
05:15And so, it was just nice also with everyone else, like, seeing everyone else by your side, also, like, really just trying to train and get better at their skill sets.
05:24Yeah, like, reminding yourself that you're doing this for you and for yourself.
05:30And I really tried to remind myself so much that, like, I'm here for me.
05:35Whatever happens, happens, you know?
05:37And I love whatever I do and what I'm doing.
05:40So, I just have to keep on reminding myself that.
05:43And entering this, you know, Korean K-pop training system might be a little bit intimidating to a lot of people.
05:49So, I feel like, did it get to a point for you guys where you felt as if it might be too much?
05:54Or did it just reveal strengths in you that you didn't know you had?
05:57I feel like it's, like, both.
05:58I think going into this, like, project, I knew about the K-pop industry and the K-pop training system.
06:06And I knew how, like, hard and, like, how much work you have to put into it.
06:11But, like, I was really curious about it, too.
06:14And I just wanted to go through it and experience what that was like.
06:18And I feel like, yes, it is hard.
06:21But at the same time, if you put hard work and you're really, like, focused,
06:26seeing the improvement every month or, like, even every week is, like, the most rewarding feeling ever.
06:34Because, like, wow, I'm putting a lot of hard work, but it's paying off.
06:37Yes, it's hard, but it's also we do it because we love it.
06:40And that's, like, the whole point of why we wanted to, like, be in a girl group, you know?
06:44Especially in the entertainment industry, you have to put in the work.
06:47And if you're not willing or committed to put in the work, then you're just not fit for it, unfortunately.
06:53Very true.
06:54It's, like, you have to be committed to it.
06:56I mean, debuting is JYP's first North American project, too.
06:59That must have felt historic at the time.
07:01When you look back, is it kind of heavy or is it more empowering now?
07:05I think it's empowering.
07:06Yeah.
07:06I think so.
07:07Yeah.
07:07It's just, like, it's surreal.
07:09And just to be able to, like, represent, you know, our backgrounds and our cultures, it's really inspiring.
07:15And I think that's what I got from that most, you know?
07:19Yeah.
07:19Because I also feel, like, proud looking back.
07:21Yeah.
07:21You know what I mean?
07:22Yeah.
07:22That, like, that was us and we did put in the work and, like, but even more, like, proud now, in my opinion, like, even more, like, empowered now.
07:30Yeah.
07:30I mean, obviously, you know, we started as a group called V-CHA.
07:40Looking back at V-CHA as well, you know, what can you really say about the group and what do you think people misunderstood, maybe, about the group looking back?
07:47I think right now, as the four of us, I just feel like this is right in every single way that you look at it.
07:54And to us, which is the most important thing, that we feel right and that we feel like this makes sense, what we're doing and what we're going for, I feel like that just is the most important thing.
08:06Okay.
08:07Like, right now, it just feels right.
08:08I think it was an era and, you know, we were young and looking back, it was, of course, very fun.
08:14It was straight up, like, off the show.
08:16And, you know, of course, we had a great time with some of our first music videos and songs, like, recording and stuff like that.
08:24I think there was still, like, very...
08:27Like, great first experiences.
08:29I feel like it's, like, a learning experience.
08:31I feel like we started there and I feel like we needed that to, like, get to where we are now.
08:36I love that.
08:36I do appreciate those moments and kind of, like, seeing myself and us, like, in the past and how much we've grown and how much we've kind of, like, found ourselves and, like, our sound and, like, who we want to be.
08:50And I feel like it was needed.
08:52It's part of our story.
08:53Speaking of a journey, if you could go back and tell your 2023 selves anything before everything changed, what would you say now?
09:00This is so simple, but believing yourself, it's such a hard thing to do sometimes when, like, you get in your head so much and it's just, there's a lot going on, but...
09:15Especially throughout the show.
09:16Yeah.
09:17Yeah.
09:17We were young there, too.
09:18Yeah, yeah.
09:19You know, still finding ourselves.
09:20Yeah.
09:20So, like, throughout the show, you're receiving a lot of, you know, criticism, constructive criticism.
09:24And so, sometimes, like you said, it can be hard to, like, you know, not get to in your head about things.
09:38So, there's this massive talk right now about multicultural girl groups.
09:42As we know, of course, Girl Set is a part of that.
09:45Cat's Eye is a part of that conversation as well.
09:47How do you guys feel about being included in that conversation?
09:50I mean, I always say this, but I do think it's, like, one of the most important things about being in a global girl group.
09:57I think the essence and the point of this group was to bring girls with different backgrounds and cultures together to create something special.
10:06And I always say this, but I always feel so happy, like, being the representation for Latinas, you know.
10:15To me, like, growing up, seeing, for example, Fifth Harmony, having, like, Cuban members, that was really special for me.
10:21And, like, it made me feel like, oh, maybe I could also make it and be in a girl group one day.
10:26So, I know that there are girls, boys, you know, seeing us and, like, seeing themselves in us.
10:33So, that's, like, really, really important and really special.
10:36Yeah, I mean, being able to see ourselves bring different communities together, too, is such a great feeling.
10:42And just bringing everyone together and just all loving the same thing is just the best feeling ever.
10:48And some people, unfortunately, online have labeled, you know, Girl Set as JYP's answer to Hive's Cat's Eye.
10:54If you've seen those kind of conversations online, how do you guys respond to them?
10:57It shouldn't be about that. It's amazing seeing so many, like, beautiful, young, talented girls, like, from different cultures coming together and making something so great.
11:10What they're doing is amazing and they're super sweet.
11:13So, I think it's more about appreciating both, you know, because I think we're both special in our own ways.
11:21So, yeah, I think it's more about that. Like, let's just be girls, girls, like, yeah, let's lay together.
11:28Yeah, I mean, if you guys are both, I mean, all of you guys who are multicultural, global girl groups being a part of that conversation,
11:34how do you hope that Girl Set's, you know, part in that history? How do you hope it's looked on by fans?
11:40We always want to be, well, a group that speaks about real things.
11:43We always made it a point to just be raw and realistic and just people with emotions, you know?
11:52So, I think that's something that we want us to be remembered by, you know, just knowing that we always expressed ourselves and we're exactly who we are, you know?
12:04Thomas is out now. Congratulations on that.
12:07And then I heard that we have some, like, new stuff on the way.
12:10So, what can you tell me about maybe a newer comeback or what's on the way for you guys?
12:14Well, the main track is called Little Miss and, you know, we're really excited to come up with this song because we feel like it's a really strong introduction to us.
12:22And, you know, it's accompanied by two other songs, which we're really excited for everyone to hear.
12:27I feel like the song is very, to give you a little bit of the vibe, it's kind of like the Y2K 2000s sound and also I would say kind of like the aesthetic as well.
12:42And it's very us.
12:44Do you ever find yourselves struggling between navigating between maybe K-pop traditions and Western instincts when it comes to songwriting?
13:01Honestly, not really.
13:03No, I feel like.
13:04We take a lot of inspiration from, like, Ariana Grande as well as, like, Pussycat Dolls, Flo.
13:09So, I feel like musically, like, we're not sonically close to K-pop at all.
13:14Yeah.
13:14Anymore.
13:15Okay.
13:15But we do take inspiration in, like, the performance aspects, like dance.
13:19So, in those we do.
13:21But sonically, in terms of songwriting, no.
13:23We're definitely going our own way.
13:25Trying to be very experimental as well with our music moving forward.
13:30We don't want to just do mainstream stuff.
13:32Like, we want to be artists.
13:34Okay.
13:35And going back and forth, you know, we definitely had the old you guys, I would say, and the new, you know, girl set is who's sitting here today.
13:42So, when songwriting, when doing the choreography now, is there moments that you guys have now where it's, like, this is us?
13:48Oh, yeah.
13:49So many.
13:50So many.
13:53When we're in dance practice.
13:55Okay.
13:59Whenever we're in dance practice.
14:00It's so funny.
14:02I know it happens every single time in dance practice.
14:04When I look in the mirror and I look at us, I lock in for, like, ten seconds.
14:08I'm like, guys, this is us.
14:10This is us.
14:11Right now.
14:11Also, I do have to say, like, when we finish recording songs, wow.
14:17And we listen back.
14:17And we listen back.
14:19It's just like, oh, wow.
14:20Yeah.
14:21Because I feel like sometimes it's easy to forget or not realize change because it happens so much over time.
14:28And so I feel like it's when you really look back that you realize how much, like, we've grown and how much we've changed.
14:34Yeah.
14:35Yeah.
14:35What have you learned about each other that's made you guys stronger?
14:38A lot.
14:39Like, everything?
14:40I don't know.
14:41You know, I feel like one key word is resilience.
14:44And I love that for each other because through this whole journey.
14:49We've always had a vision.
14:50Yeah.
14:50And never let go of that vision, I would say.
14:52How do you want this chapter to define girl set?
14:55New beginnings in our introduction are just like.
14:59Yes.
14:59Love that.
15:01And what do you hope that fans see whenever they look at you now as the four of you standing together?
15:04Just.
15:05We're beautiful girls.
15:06Yes.
15:06Beautiful girls doing what they love.
15:08Yeah.
15:09And hopefully that inspires other people to do the same.
15:12Is there any last thing you want your fans to know?
15:15I mean, please look forward to what we have to come because it's very good.
15:20There's still so much in this journey of ours in the future.
15:25And we're going to experiment so much and explore and so many more memories to create.
15:34I'll be.
15:37I'll be.
15:39I'll be.
15:40I'll be.
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