Girl Power

K-pop group STAYC embodies a "Teenfresh" appeal that sends an uplifting message of self-love and authenticity. We caught up with the six-girl band right after their concert in Singapore in this ELLE Singapore exclusive.

- JASMINE ALIMIN

Forget fleeting trends and manufactured idols. K-pop's latest wave brings raw talent, infectious energy, and a message of empowerment. Enter STAYC, the sixmember girl group from South Korea poised to redefine what it means to be a pop sensation.

With their catchy tunes, bright energy, and positive message, the six-member girl group made up of Sumin, Sieun, ISA, Seeun, Yoon and J, is regarded as fourthgeneration leaders in today's K-pop scene. If some of them look familiar, it may be because you've caught a glimpse of them in one of your favourite K-drama series: Sieun was in Still 17 (2018) and Mystic Pop-up Bar (2020), while Seeun was in The Guardians (2017).

Managed by South Korean music label, High Up Entertainment, known for crafting hits for TWICE, Apink, and SISTAR, STAYC quickly rose to stardom with their debut in 2020, amassing a loyal fanbase affectionately known as SWITHs (short for Stay With STAYC).

CHART TOPPERS

Their debut single, "So Bad" (2020), was just the first taste of their infectious sound. It marked the beginning of a string of hits that solidified their place in the K-pop pantheon. "ASAP" (2021) skyrocketed to No. 9 on Billboard's K-pop 100 just five months after release, a meteoric rise that showcased their global appeal. "RUN2U" (2022) further cemented their success, landing on Spotify's Top Song Debut Global Chart at No. 8. But STAYC's impact transcended mere chart numbers. "Stereotype" (2021) became a viral Tik Tok sensation with over 48,100 videos, proving the universality of their message and the power of music to connect across borders.