The group STAYC chose challenge and adventure instead of stable success. Attention is focused on whether STAYC's challenge, adopting a mature color rather than a teen fresh one, can lead to a new group identity following an expansion of its spectrum.

STAYC (Soo-min, Shi-eun, Ai-sa, Se-eun, Yoon, Jae-yi) released the audio for all tracks of their fifth single 'S' and the music video for the title track 'BEBE' on various online music sites at 6 p.m. on the 18th.

STAYC's comeback is approximately five months after the release of the digital single ‘...l (dot dot dot)’ announced in October last year. Since debuting in 2020, STAYC has released hit songs such as 'SO BAD', 'ASAP', 'Colored Glass', 'RUN 2 U', 'Beautiful Monster', 'Teddy Bear', 'Bubble', and 'GPT'. In particular, STAYC has written a 'miracle for a small and medium enterprise' by providing a unique bright charm and healing referred to as 'teen fresh', unlike other fourth-generation girl groups.

Returning after five months, STAYC chose challenge rather than the success of 'teen fresh' that had brought them success. The fifth single 'S' is an album that reflects the new direction the group aims to take. The six members announce a completely reinvented STAYC with a more mature musical color and an evolved concept.

The title track 'BEBE' perfectly captures STAYC's transformation. It expresses the desire to reveal the 'real me' hidden within, breaking away from the 'me' that only shows what others want to see, featuring funky and danceable rhythms with an addictive drop.

'Crazy, I was me, rodeo / No, it’s a shame to follow others, No'

'When it's me, it’s too easy, and when I hide it, I'm too exhausted'

The fast rap and low tones, which differ from STAYC's previous songs, are also features of 'BEBE'. The lyrics contain a message to reveal 'their true self' instead of 'the prejudice that you expected'. STAYC's confidence in their ability to fully embrace tracks like 'BEBE', which have a mature feel and do not fit the fixed image of 'teen fresh', is evident.

In addition to the title track 'BEBE', this album includes the tracks 'DIAMOND' and 'PIPE DOWN'. 'DIAMOND' is a track that delivers strong emotional appeal through STAYC's vocal chemistry, describing a bright and shining future like a diamond while discarding fears about the future over an Afro rhythm contemporary R&B track. 'PIPE DOWN' is a pop R&B track with strong brass sounds that provides addictive qualities, showcasing STAYC's bold self-esteem through weighty vocals and witty expressions using a mute button.

Returning with a more mature musical color that breaks fixed stereotypes and prejudices, STAYC has completed a sensuous and sophisticated self-esteem into one music, signaling an unprecedented impact. Expectations are high for what STAYC will show moving forward with a renewed team color after leaving a glamorous mark as 'teen fresh'.

[OSEN]