By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop girl group Kep1er has made a swift return to the music scene with their fifth mini-album “Magic Hour,” released Monday.
Comprising nine members ― Kim Chae-hyun, Huening Bahiyyih, Choi Yu-jin, Kim Da-yeon, Seo Young-eun, Kang Ye-seo, Hikaru Ezaki, Mashiro Sakamoto and Shen Xiaoting ― Kep1er’s new album came a mere five months after their previous release, “Lovestruck.”
Kim Chae-hyun introduced their latest work as “providing a unique glimpse into the world of a young girl whose life is entirely centered around the theme of love,” during a press event held at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, Seoul, on the day of release.
“This album represents our reflections on how to captivate our fans and broaden our appeal to a wider audience. So our primary focus of the theme of the album was to explore both the multifaceted and universal aspects of love,” Kim added.
The album’s title track “Galileo” is a disco punk number that delves into a girl’s journey of understanding and defining the complexities of love.
The group’s leader Choi explained, “While our previous album’s title track, ‘Giddy,’ portrayed the bewildering and disorienting nature of a girl in love, this time we aim to convey the growth of a girl who now seeks to define and express love more clearly.”
Known for their perfectly synchronized choreography, the group has introduced the “three-leo dance moves,” inspired by the title track “Galileo.” These moves, comprising the “Bosil-leo,” “Nalil-leo” and “Milil-leo” moves, are one of the most eye-catching elements of this release.
The album further boasts a selection of five tracks, including “The Door” and “Love on Lock.” Notably, the album also introduces songs “Tropical Light” and “TAPE,” which are the first-ever unit songs in the group’s creative journey.
Kep1er has high expectations and aspirations. Xiaoting expressed her desire to create an enchanting experience for fans, saying, “I aim to deliver a magical moment to our dedicated fans, and I hope that Kep1er, too, will have its own enchanting moments.”
With a hint of shyness, she added, “I genuinely hope to secure the top spot on music shows.”
In line with their album release, the group has officially launched promotional activities with a fan showcase. Additionally, Kep1er is set to host the “Kep1er 2nd FAN MEETING ‘Kep1er’s Strange Market,'” scheduled for Oct. 21 and 22, promising even more interactions for their devoted following.
Formed with contestants from Mnet’s multinational idol audition show “Girls Planet 999,” Kep1er debuted in January 2022 with the EP “First Impact,” which became a sensation upon its release. The EP sold more than 200,000 copies in its first week, and the album’s title track “Wa Da Da” has garnered more than 110 million streams on Spotify.
Similar to other groups that made their debut through audition programs, Kep1er also operates within a predetermined timeframe for their activities, much like IZ*ONE and WANNAONE did during their time in the spotlight.
“Our foremost priority is to reciprocate the love of our fans. At this juncture, our dedication is focused on musical endeavors that allow us to convey our heartfelt emotions to our fans,” Choi said, acknowledging this time-limited nature.
