With competition in the virtual idol market fiercer than ever, a group that emphasizes relationships and storytelling as its weapons has emerged. The five-member virtual girl group OWIS goes beyond mere sophisticated graphics, striking the hearts of global fans with each member's distinct character and strong bonds.
Their greatest strength lies in a "humanism" that transcends the limits of virtuality. The members share their concerns through regular weekly meetings and project the real bonds built over shared meals into their music. This OWIS identity is fully reflected in their debut album "MUSEUM." From Serin's seemingly cold yet playful short-hair charm to Haru's goofy unexpected personality, to Summer's warm sensibility. We asked OWIS, who want to convey sincerity beyond technical perfection, about their story.
Q. The virtual idol market has been extremely hot recently. Among many virtual groups, what do you think is OWIS's distinctive color or weapon?
Serin: Lately, being with the members, what I felt most was that each person plays a truly precious role in the team. So I think we are a team that no one could replace to the point where I thought, "If not this friend, it would have been a disaster," compared to when I first saw them. I hope that the sincere hearts of these friends that make that feeling come through — such sincerity and relationships — become our team's greatest strength.
Summer: I think OWIS's biggest weapon is each member's individual charm and the music that brings those charms together! Music is the greatest force that builds our world, and the way we weave stories into that music might be OWIS's very color. Also, the fact that five people with different colors come together to make one new color is a strength! Rather than being one complete color from the start, I think our color will become clearer as layers build up, so we can show OWIS's unique color in that way, hehe.
Soyi: I think we're a team overflowing with personality-based charm and musical charm. Not only the visuals but the worldview, and hearts that are sincere about music and dreams—I believe they will definitely resonate.
Haru: I think the power of a story that unfolds between reality and dreams is large. I hope our music can remain for someone like a space where they can feel a brief rest or different emotions, as if meeting us in a dream. So I guess music and story are our weapons. And please look forward to the members' character traits!
Yuni: I think OWIS is a team where each member's personality and emotions are naturally embedded around the worldview of "dream." I believe our color is not just being virtual but showing a single mood and sensibility through music and story.
Q. If you had to pick your "personal virtual visual point" or appeal as a character?
Serin: I like my blunt bob the most. My cold expression sometimes scares people, but when I make a playful face I sometimes make those around me laugh—I'm a character with that kind of twist.
Soyi: An appeal that doesn't drain energy, I guess? It's a bit embarrassing to say, but I think my expressions are pretty and natural…!
Summer: I, Summer, rather than standing out strongly within the team, have a charm that makes people want to look again once they see me, a subtle charm that lingers in memory! My charm might be the warmth that makes people want to see me more often the more they see me… I think. Hot hot.
Haru: I think the most attractive thing is the twist of having a pretty visual and a goofy personality that contrasts with it.
Yuni: Bursting with bubbly energy and the maknae charm—super cute!! I want to show an appeal that is mysterious like a character met in a dream, but at the same time feels approachable.
Q. What was your first impression when five people with different charms first came together under the name 'OWIS'?
Serin: Everyone liked our name, and as we completed music that fit it one by one, I felt the process of the name's charm being realized—like "oh, this is what OWIS-ish is."
Soyi: It felt like a dream. Like arriving in an unfamiliar space in a dream but feeling like it's exactly to my liking? It was a pleasantly awkward and thrilling feeling.
Summer: At first, there was definitely worry like, "Will we really fit together as one team?" But as the time preparing together grew longer, I felt that the differences rather made OWIS more special, and I thought a lot of effort would be needed to understand and consider one another so those differences wouldn't become conflicts. Now I think the bright, noisy energy that comes when the five of us gather is a major charm of the team, so I want to create a close-knit team by respecting and understanding these differences.
Haru: Everyone was so gentle and cute. Though they looked unfamiliar, because I'm a sensitive person I could feel these people's warmth.
Yuni: At first, the big impression was that each of our atmospheres was different, which felt amazing. But as we talked, I thought that if each color comes together it could become a more interesting team. Now I feel each other's charms make OWIS more special.
Q. Did you make efforts to strengthen the bond among members?
Serin: We try to hold team meetings once a week, and outside of frequent practice times we try to share common goals, thoughts, and worries. I think we all strongly want to be good colleagues when we do things together. And Haru always tries to make the members laugh, and I'm really grateful for that. Being able to do something in a bright atmosphere means someone is putting in a lot of effort. Haru is a very sensitive friend.
Soyi: We tried sincerely to understand each other's thoughts. We talked a lot and shared things we like. And we ate a lot of meals together. The bond that forms while eating is real!
Summer: The process of forming bonds as a team seems similar in any situation! I think a lot of effort was needed to understand and communicate with each other, so during preparation we often exchanged opinions, and because each member's color is diverse there were large personality differences and perhaps many uncomfortable conversations that had to be had. Thanks to Serin and Haru unnis doing their roles well, I learned many points of conduct as a member. I'm sure there were many hard things to say, and I want to take this opportunity to say thank you. As a result, I felt that spending time together is more important than formality, and I want to build more time and memories through activities.
Haru: We tried to share and do many things together. Maybe because of that, we have the feeling of "let's stick together among ourselves!"
Yuni: Besides practice and recording, I think we tried to talk to each other a lot. By sharing each person's thoughts on OWIS's direction and dreams, the bond as a team naturally deepened.
Q. What are your short-term goals you want to achieve through this debut activity, and what is the ultimate dream you envision as OWIS?
Serin: The short-term goal is to let people know, "Oh, there's a team like this!" The ultimate dream is that through OWIS's message, many, many people rediscover dreams they had forgotten, and if we can be together for a long time until those dreams come true, I would be very happy!
Soyi: Short-term, it's to convey the emotions contained in this album well to the fans. The ultimate dream is for the dreams OWIS is dreaming now to become reality one by one. There are many dreams, but the one that comes to mind now is holding a fan meeting with fans at Arkel!
Summer: The short-term goal is to firmly let many people know the team OWIS through this debut stage. As our first step, we want to show our music and story well and leave the impression of being a "team to watch going forward." I also hope we can perform on an end-of-year stage this year. Hehe. The ultimate dream is to sustain OWIS's world for a long time and expand it with more people! We want to grow, move forward, and become OWIS that can share the same stories with more fans on bigger stages.
Haru: The short-term goal is to let many people hear our voices. I want to let people know that there is a team called OWIS and that our music exists in the world, and ultimately I want to peak at the highest point in this field.
Yuni: In this debut activity, the main goal is first to let many people know OWIS and naturally show our music and worldview. I hope the number of people who sympathize with OWIS's mood and story grows. And the ultimate dream is to be a team that fans remember for a long time. I want OWIS to be a team that people can recall saying, "OWIS's music was special," even after time passes, and I want to keep expanding our dreams with fans around the world.
Q. Finally, please say a word to global fans who have been waiting for OWIS's debut.
Serin: Thank you so much for waiting for OWIS. It's so strange and fun to be able to do this interview! Answering the questions made me look back again on the times when OWIS was formed. I always live looking forward rather than at past times! I firmly believe countless dreams will accompany your future time as well! I hope we can dream beautifully together. Please give us lots of love and support! Fighting!
Soyi: Debut is just around the corner. Please come into this dream world with us! This place is a space for you too. See you in the dream. And in reality, too, definitely!
Summer: Thank you so, so much to the many people who waited for and supported OWIS's debut! Just opening our first page like this gives us great strength, hehe. We'll continue to come back with good music, great stages, and interesting stories, so we would appreciate your interest! Even if we're a little clumsy, we'll work hard, so please watch over us kindly! Please take good care of us!
Haru: Hello! Thank you sincerely for supporting and waiting for us since before our debut. We prepared hard to show you good performances, so please give us lots of love and support! Let's dream together for a long time!
Yuni: Thank you so much for waiting for and being with the start of our journey. I think OWIS's first page has now opened. We have so many stories and music to show you going forward, so please look forward to them. We will be OWIS that can be with you for a long time in your dreams and in daily life. Thank you.
[Photo] Provided by AllMyAnicDots.
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