Get to know the members of Weeekly in this exclusive interview.
Weeekly, the six-member girl group from IST Entertainment, has been steadily carving out their place in K-Pop since their June 30, 2020 debut. With their first mini album, We Are, Lee Soojin, Monday, Park Soeun, Lee Jaehee, Jihan, and Zoa introduced a fresh energy to the scene. It was their hit "After School," off the third mini-album We Play, however, that truly caught the public's attention (and ours), showcasing Weeekly's status as rising stars. Since then, they've continued to evolve, releasing a string of solid projects, including Play Game: Holiday, Play Game: Awake, Colorise, and Stranger.
What distinguishes Weeekly is their distinctive style and the palpable synergy among members, qualities that shine through in their performances. Their music showcases a range of charms, from playful energy to emotional depth, complemented by the members' diverse vocal colors. Weeekly's unique approach blends youthful exuberance with polished musicality. Their sound, notable for its soft and delicate vocals, has attracted a devoted fanbase known as "Daileee." This clever name combines "Daily" with "Lee" (a surname shared by two group members), emphasizing the fans' constant support. The moniker plays on the group's name, implying that without their daily fans, Weeekly couldn't exist - a testament to the strong bond between the artists and their supporters.
Their latest mini-album, Bliss, featuring the title track "Lights On," marks a new chapter in their artistic evolution. With first-week sales exceeding 127,000 copies, Bliss demonstrates Weeekly's growing impact in the K-pop landscape. As they prepare for their first U.S. tour, "2024 Weeekly Grand America Tour W/U Weeekly University," set to begin in September, excitement builds among Daileee, eager to see their faves perform live.
In a recent conversation, Weeekly opened up about their artistic journey and future goals. They discussed their latest album and shared their excitement for the upcoming tour. This exclusive interview offers fans a deeper look into the dedication and passion of Lee Soojin, Monday, Park Soeun, Lee Jaehee, Jihan, and Zoa.
Nice to meet you, Weeekly! Thanks for speaking to Hellokpop. To kick things off, could each of you please introduce yourselves and share one fun fact about yourselves?
Lee Soojin: Hello, I'm Soojin, the leader of Weeekly! I have a mole on my cheek that looks like an elephant when you connect the two dots.
Monday: Hello, I'm Monday! I dyed my hair blue for this promotion, and now I'm really into the color blue.
Park Soeun: Hello! I'm Soeun, the dance captain of Weeekly! I think my charm lies in my bright smile and monolids.
Lee Jaehee: Hello, I'm Jaehee, the charming one of Weeekly. When I get hooked on a song, I listen to it on repeat for hours. These days, I'm really into our Weeekly songs and listening to them repeatedly.
Jihan: Hello! I'm Jihan, who recently transformed into a blonde for Weeekly! I really love sweet desserts, just like our fans, the Daileees!
Zoa: Hello!! I'm Zoa, the youngest member of Weeekly. I didn't know it before, but my skin tans really easily! So I've been applying sunscreen more diligently than usual!
Congratulations on your sixth mini-album, Bliss! Can you tell us a little more about this album? What messages or feelings do you hope fans take away from your new music?
Jihan: Weeekly's sixth mini-album, Bliss, is themed around unparalleled happiness, capturing the youth and bright energy of Weeekly! It includes refreshing and energetic songs that our Daileees have been waiting for. I hope we can spend this hot summer coolly together with Weeekly!
Park Soeun: Our sixth mini-album, Bliss! It expresses the beauty of youth in their twenties, filled with Weeekly's unique passion and spirit. It's composed of songs perfect for listening to in the summer, so I think it's just right for these days! I hope you gain a lot of good energy while listening to the songs from this album!
Among the tracks on Bliss, which song resonated with you the most personally and why?
Lee Soojin: I like the song "Twenties" the most. Personally, I think it's the song that best represents this album, and it embodies the thrilling feeling of a new beginning, making me feel like I can do anything. That's why I love it the most!
Lee Jaehee: I really like the title track, but I think all the other tracks are great too. Among the tracks, I especially like "Classic"! It's a genre of music I love, and it's very exciting, so it's my favorite.
Each Weeekly member has a unique vocal color. On this album, how did you showcase individuality while maintaining harmony?
Zoa: If you listen to all the tracks on this album, you'll see that each song has a different vibe and distinct charm! I think you'll enjoy hearing the vocal expressions of the members change with each track. Especially in "Page," you can hear the members' sweet voices!
Monday: For this album, we focused on group vocal practice to highlight each member's individuality while also expressing the mood of each song well. Since it's a summer comeback, we've added a refreshing touch to each member's voice :)
Can you tell us more about the title track, “LIGHTS ON?” What story did you aim to convey through its lyrics and melody, and how does it reflect the essence of Weeekly as a group?
Park Soeun: Our title track, "LIGHTS ON," features a refreshing melody perfect for a cool summer and lyrics that beautifully express youth! Through this title track, you can feel Weeekly's unique, clear, and healthy charm.
Lee Jaehee: The title track, "LIGHTS ON," is a song in which Weeekly, now all in their twenties, expresses the unparalleled happiness of youth. Our goal is to convey Weeekly's vibrant energy and happiness to the public through the lyrics. We tried to showcase Weeekly's unadorned, pure, and innocent image of youth.If you could take home one entire concept outfit from the album photo shoot, which one would it be and why?
Zoa: Among the two outfits for this album, I prefer the LIGHTS version! It's a styling I've always loved and wanted to try, so I chose the LIGHTS version outfit.
Jihan: I want to keep the yellow ringer T-shirt and Bermuda shorts that I wore at Yangyang Beach in the "LIGHTS ON" music video! It's a trendy style right now, and I think the colors are perfect for summer.
What was the most challenging scene or concept to film in the music video for “LIGHTS ON,” and how did you overcome it?
Monday: There was a scene where I had to stand alone on a 3-meter-high box during the shoot. I was wearing 10 cm high heels and the entire set was black with only a strong spotlight on me, so it was really difficult to keep my balance. However, my members gave me lots of praise and encouragement, saying I looked really cool, which helped me regain my composure and continue the shoot.
Lee Soojin: There was a scene where we danced on the beach. It was challenging because our feet kept sinking into the sand. But since it looked so beautiful on camera, all the members gave their best and danced passionately.
How do you feel your music and style have evolved since your debut?
Zoa: When we debuted, I focused on creating a bright and cute image, but now we're finding concepts and colors that match Weeekly's identity. We think about how to better integrate Weeekly's image into our music! I believe we're making musical progress in this aspect!
Lee Soojin: In the early days of our debut, we talked about the stories of teenagers' school and after-school lives. As time has passed, I think we've been able to show a more mature side of ourselves. Especially with this album, we've tried to capture the brilliance of youth.
For new fans just discovering Weeekly, what would you say are the unique charms or qualities that define your group?
Jihan: Weeekly's unique teamwork! You can feel Weeekly's strong teamwork not only on stage but also in our daily lives! If you keep watching Weeekly, I believe you'll find yourself captivated at some point!
Lee Jaehee: If I were to define Weeekly's charm or qualities in one sentence, it would be "They know how to enjoy!" We genuinely enjoy being on stage, take pride in what we do, and have fun with all our activities. I think these qualities are what make Weeekly so charming.
If you could transport yourself into the setting of one of the music videos from your discography, which one would it be and why?
Monday: I want to go back to the yacht set! I received a lot of compliments about how well I looked there, and many of the photos taken in that outfit turned out exceptionally well, so I want to return to that moment.
Park Soeun: Since it's summer, I think a beach scene is a must. So, I would choose the beach concept!
Looking ahead, what aspects of your musical journey would you like to explore further in future releases? Is there a genre or concept you want to try?
Zoa: I absolutely love the concept for this album! The refreshing look of the members makes them look so happy, and I think it came out really well. I'd love to do more concepts like this!
Lee Jaehee: Since all the members are now adults, I'd like to challenge a concept with an elegant feel.
We know Daileee are excited to see you perform live on tour later this summer. Can you give us a sneak peek into what fans can expect?
Monday: Since this is our first North American tour, our members are really working hard to prepare! We would especially appreciate it if you looked forward to our refreshing live performances! I can't wait to meet you soon, Daileees.
Jihan: We're working hard to prepare to showcase Weeekly's energetic performances, including songs from this album! Among them, we're diversifying our stages with performances that fans can enjoy together. The song that Daileees are probably thinking about will surely be part of our show!
As you prepare for your first North American tour, what are some of the things you're most looking forward to experiencing outside of performing? Are there any foods or snacks you're excited to try?
Park Soeun: I'm really looking forward to going to the U.S. with the members! I really want to try eating hamburgers with them in the U.S.
Zoa: I'm all about barbecue! There was a time when I went to the U.S. with my family to eat barbecue, but I wasn't feeling well, so I couldn't eat any. That's why I really want to try barbecue this time!
What's one item from home that you always bring with you?
Lee Soojin: I always bring my AirPods with me. It's because listening to good music in the car while traveling always improves my mood.
Lee Jaehee: I always carry the gold card I received from my aunt with me. Having it with me makes me feel comfortable, and like I'm filled with good luck.
Lastly, please leave a message to your fans reading this.
Lee Soojin: Daileee! Please show a lot of love for this album we've worked so hard on, and let Weeekly's "LIGHTS ON" blow away the summer heat!
Monday: Daileee!! It must be really hot right now!! We've returned with the refreshing song "LIGHTS ON" to cool you down this summer, so please give it lots of love!
Park Soeun: We're back as refreshing Weeekly after a long time! Let's work hard together on this album, Daily. I'm always grateful, and I love you!
Lee Jaehee: Dailee! Thank you so much for always loving our Weeekly. Your unwavering support always gives us strength. I'll always work hard! Please keep watching over us. Thank you, and I love you!
Jihan: We'll definitely show you great stages as much as the love and support you always send us! Please wait a little longer, Daileee. Thank you, and I love you!
Zoa: Daileee! There are so many things I'm grateful for that it's hard to express it all in just one word, but we've finally reached a time where we can greet each other up close and show you Weeekly's stages. I want to gift you a better stage, a fun stage we can enjoy together! Thank you so much for your love and support! See you soon!
Connect with the members of Weeekly on Instagram, X, X(members), TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, and Weverse.
Listen to their discography on Spotify or Apple Music.
*Special thanks to the members of Weeekly and IST Entertainment for this exclusive interview.
Image and Video Credits: IST Entertainment