[OSENWORLD] K-pop girl group Kep1er is back with a fresh new concept
Ahead of the release of their seventh mini album BUBBLE GUM on August 19 at 6 p.m. KST, the group met with OSEN at a café in Seoul’s Cheongdam-dong to talk about their comeback. This marks their first Korean release in nine months, following last year’s sixth mini album TIPI-TAP.
The six-track project highlights Kep1er’s trademark strengths — powerful stage performance and addictive vocal hooks. The title track, also called BUBBLE GUM, is a house-driven EDM pop dance song featuring dynamic vocal ranges layered over a bold beat. The track channels the group’s mischievous yet charismatic energy, with lyrics that boldly proclaim, “I’ll swallow all uncomfortable gazes in one bite.”
“It’s been nine months since our last Korean album,” leader Yujin said. “We worked so hard on this one, and I hope not just our fans but also the public will enjoy it. The chorus is especially catchy — I want it to stick in people’s heads.”
Early teasers hinted at a playful “trickster” vibe. Addressing the concept, Chaehyun explained: “When you hear ‘bubble gum,’ people might expect something cute or refreshing. But if you swallow something sweet and lovely, it could burst apart. We wanted to show that contrast — cuteness mixed with confidence and a sexy charisma.”
Dayeon added: “We’ve tried many concepts on stage, and those experiences gave us confidence. Rather than fear, I feel more excitement than fear when we take on something new. This time, I want people to see a bolder, more confident side of us.”
Chaehyun agreed, saying the timing felt right: “If we had attempted this concept earlier, it might have come across as too youthful. Now we’re more mature, and I think this balance of sexiness and confidence really suits us.”
On whether EDM posed challenges, Chaehyun noted: “Actually, we first experimented with EDM in our debut track WADADA. This time, we wanted to really deliver a strong EDM sound.”
With EDM trending in K-pop thanks to recent releases from artists like Jeon Somi and BLACKPINK, Kep1er emphasized their own spin. “We’re not trying to over-emphasize EDM itself,” Xiaoting explained. “We’re highlighting maturity. Instead of just cute and lovely, we wanted to show a more grown-up version of Kep1er.”
/k_inside@osen.co.kr
