Get to know mimiirose in this exclusive interview.
mimiirose, the rookie girl group from YES IM Entertainment, has made a triumphant return to the world of K-Pop with their second single album, LIVE. This exciting comeback follows almost a year since the release of their debut single album, Awesome, in September 2022.
Comprised of five talented members, mimiirose includes:
YeonJae: She's not only the Leader but also the Main Dancer of the group, known for her powerful dance moves and husky voice. YeonJae also previously showcased her skills as a dance teacher at SL Studio.
HyoRi: HyoRi takes on the role of Lead Vocalist and is recognized for her feminine dance style and unique voice. She's a K-Pop Studies student at Dong-Ah Institute of Media and Arts.
YeWon: With powerful vocals and exceptional leadership skills, YeWon serves as the group's Main Vocalist. She is currently studying Performing Arts at Myongji University.
JiA: JiA is the Main Rapper of mimiirose, known for her unique charm and innate dance skills. She gained recognition on Mnet’s survival show, Girls Planet 999, after ranking eleventh.
YunJu: Adding visual allure to the group, YunJu’s innocent charm and pure vocal tone shine brightly at the Maknae. She is a student at Apgujeong High School and previously took part in MBC’s reality competition series, My Teenage Girls.
Their latest title track, "FLIRTING," is a thrilling song that explores the concept of true love beyond the practical and realistic flirting of Gen Z. The catchy tune, coupled with captivating lyrics, perfectly complements mimiirose's distinctive girl crush charms and energetic pop sound, creating a delightful musical experience.
In an exclusive interview with Hellokpop, mimiirose dives deep into LIVE, shares their first impressions of each other, reflects on their personal growth since their debut, and much more. Keep reading to know more about mimiirose!
Congratulations on your second single album, LIVE. Can you give us a glimpse into this album's overall concept and theme? How does it differ from your previous release?
mimiirose: Our second single album, LIVE, is an album that showcases mimiirose's unique music and demonstrates our strong determination to come back after a long break and an intense preparation period. While our first album portrayed a refreshing image, this album allows people to see mimiirose explore a dark girl crush concept, revealing our different charm.
This album marks your first comeback. What types of thoughts ran through your head as you prepared for this comeback?
YeonJae: Since there was a long gap between this comeback and our last performance, I thought I should become even more captivating and show a wonderful performance on our second album, LIVE.
HyoRi: I remember both the company and us saying, "Let's put our lives on the line," often. Although we successfully completed our first album activities, we felt that we were lacking in appealing to the public. This time, we thought, 'Let's definitely show our presence!'
YeWon: There was pressure because of the one-year break, and the concept was completely different from the debut, so it wasn't easy. But we worked hard every day thinking about our fans.
JiA: During the break, we put a lot of effort into showing how much we developed since our debut. I was excited to show that to our fans.
YunJu: There were aspects we couldn't show when we debuted, so this time, we prepared to show everything perfectly and without any shortcomings.
Can you tell us about the title track, "FLIRTING," and what makes it special? What kind of message or emotions does it convey?
mimiirose: We've made an effort to express our love to bloomii through sincere 'flirting,' which is different from the trendy topic of flirting these days. This was truly our unique style, and we take great pride in it. As for the song, we tried to express it as directly as possible. We wanted both us and the audience to fall in love with each other.
What do you hope listeners will take away from the single album as a whole in terms of emotions and messages?
mimiirose: On our first album, we showed a bright and refreshing image, but this time, our second album has a concept that's quite the opposite. We aimed to showcase not only the girl crush image that suits the concept but also to demonstrate our determination and hard work during the break.
Could you share with us some of your favorite moments/highlights from the recording of the tracks to the filming of the music video?
YeonJae: While recording the track "A-OK," there were many group singing parts, and during those moments, we made a lot of noise and sang loudly together to create a natural noise. I remember enjoying the recording session so much, even though recording sessions can sometimes get very serious.
HyoRi: Actually, I wasn't originally part of the intro section. I had practiced my part diligently, and suddenly, they asked me to sing the intro. It was quite surprising, but looking back, it was a good decision. During the music video shoot, there was a scene where everyone ran away except for me. While the members were running on the grass in their high heels, I sat comfortably on an indoor chair with the air conditioning on full blast. I felt sorry for the members, but at the same time, it was quite nice.
YeWon: When recording the title song, "FLIRTING," the chorus was quite high, and I worried about straining my voice. But I remember that whenever I had concerns, the producer encouraged me, saying I was doing well.
JiA: There was a scene in the music video where all the members were walking on the grass field, and we were all wearing high heels. However, the ground was muddy, and our heels sank into the mud. It was hot, and it was tough for everyone, but thinking back to that moment brings a smile to my face.
YunJu: I rapped for the first time while recording the track "TIPSY." It was challenging to capture the right feel since it was my first time, but the producer provided excellent direction, and I have a good memory of completing it successfully.
September also marked mimiirose's 1st anniversary - congratulations! What has been the most memorable experience or favorite moment of your career thus far?
YeonJae: I'm happy every time we go on stage. It feels like we rely on each other and have fun together.
HyoRi: I'll never forget the day of our debut showcase. It was the first time we met our fans and the day we presented ourselves. We were inexperienced, but that's what made it so special. So, it remains one of the happiest moments for me to this day.
JiA: Our debut showcase, which marked the starting point of our one-year journey, stands out the most in my memory. It was our first stage as mimiirose, and it's a precious and important memory that I'll never forget.
YeWon: While there have been countless great moments living together, one of the best moments for me was the day we made a comeback after a long break.
YunJu: The moments when we supported and encouraged each other during difficult times, growing together side by side, are all memorable and have been a great source of strength for all of us.
Read the full interview on Hellokpop.