As always, K-pop idols are flooding the scene this year. In early 2025, idols from major companies like HAATZ to Heart of SM Entertainment and Kickflip from JYP Entertainment are debuting to great attention right off the bat, and Starship's Kiki, debuting on March 24, is already being touted as a rival to NewJeans.
These are all treasures that have been ambitiously released through systematic systems from major companies. However, a formidable foe has appeared. Here are the stubborn ones who performed 'live' on stage with backing tracks without any backing vocals during their first music broadcast after debut. The girl group Candis, with all members holding hand-held microphones, is in the spotlight.
Candis, a four-member girl group composed of Hello (real name Hwang Ji-min), Benny (real name Jang Hye-won), Nine (real name Lee Do-yoon), and Rookie (real name Lim Ji-yu), represent the energy and freedom of the 10s and 20s. The focus is on their freely expressed charm, which is distinct from the cute performances that often feel like they were churned out in a factory. They show their determination to present "this is the vibe of a real girl" without much filtration.
Searching for Candis on portal sites reveals their agency, SXTYDGRS, which is somewhat unfamiliar to the public. CEO Noh Young-chae, known for being a vocal trainer for Lee Seung-gi, Jang Bum-jun, and Cha Eun-woo, produced the group and noted through OSEN that "Candis was created without unnecessary control and oppression in the trainee process, excluding an implausible worldview that doesn't resonate with them."
I was curious. Starting with 'M Countdown' on the 6th, the monstrous newcomers, who dominated every music broadcast such as 'Music Bank,' 'Show Music Core,' 'Inkigayo,' and 'Show Champion' with hand-held live performances, are making people expect a 'second miracle of a small but mighty idol' that surpasses Fifty Fifty. OSEN met with Candis directly.
#10 fans present at the music broadcast go global
On January 14, Candis unveiled their first result to the world, a full-length album titled 'Playground.' It is packed with 16 tracks, all created by the eldest sister Hello. The confidence showcased here is rare among rookie idols. Just like the album name, they freely play on stage like a playground, allowing Candis to leave a strong impression on music fans during their broadcasts.
Hello: To be honest, I still can't believe I've debuted. It's just amazing that our song is on music streaming sites. We've created songs based on our tastes without thinking about being a girl group or K-pop, so it might feel fresh. It's all memories as I've written down the episodes we experienced and my thoughts in songs. It feels like time-lapsing in music. Listening to the songs brings back those moments.
Nine: It still feels like trying out being a celebrity (laughs). But I felt emotional when I faced our fans. Looking back at the stage, it was tough. For me, I had to do a dance break, and it's a part where I'm singing while out of breath. But since my part is important and at a moment where attention is focused, I sang with a sense of responsibility. I thought, if I make a mistake, it's over.
Rookie: It felt like I was dreaming. I didn't expect the choreography to be this hard (laughs). I've grown up listening to a lot of K-pop and watching many performances. It felt surreal to stand on a stage that I had only seen on my phone. I wonder if it was real. I think I won't feel it until the next comeback. By then, I might think, now I really debuted, right?
Benny: It's significant because it's the first stage we've shown to the public after just practicing among ourselves. The tension before going on stage? We just told ourselves to do what we've been doing, and since the title is Playground, we decided to have fun. It was nice seeing our fans for the first time. We only had 10 seats, but they cheered us on loudly. Thanks to that, we finished the stage with smiles. Even though it was cold, they shouted out loud enough to make us feel heartwarming, and we appreciated it.
#Candis aims for Billboard!
Candis' debut stage music broadcast tour has generated a hot response with just one round. Fans from Brazil and the United States have fallen under the spell of Candis early on, and their schedule in Indonesia in January has increased their Asian fans. Since their debut stage was broadcasted to the world, fans from Europe and the Arab regions have also increased. Everyone was impressed by Candis' flawless skills, visuals, and performances.
Hello: I told them to overlay AR, but we refused. It was crazy, and even our choreographer advised against it. The choreographer of aespa's 'Whiplash,' Renan, said, "You'll regret it, it'll be tough," but we had no way to back down. Being at the bottom, we just went for it with the mindset that it's either make it or break it. We monitored each other's performances and felt there was so much to learn from one another.
Rookie: Each of us performed our parts so well. The four of us are all different. But the fans said the four of us fit together like a puzzle. That was evident on stage. Our songs, styles, and dances are all different, but when we come together, it's so nice to hear that we do really well. We received compliments that we had great synergy and chemistry like a completed puzzle. I think it's thanks to each of us working hard and showing our prepared selves well.
Benny: We need to go to Billboard, so we thought we should start with live performances from the beginning. We want to be recognized for our music, hit number 1, eventually reach number 1 on Billboard, get the Grammy Award for 'Song of the Year,' perform in New York, and meet fans from all over the world.
Nine: Somehow, it felt reassuring, like we had become the Avengers. The members were a great support.
[OSEN=Reporter Park So-young]