American girl group VCHA is on a mission to bring K-Pop to the masses. As the first official group to win the reality contest A2K (America 2 Korea), they set themselves apart from other groups with their unique perspective on music production and her K-Pop process, and are ready to make their official debut. .
With a name inspired by the Korean phrase “to shine a light,” the group’s intentions are perfectly clear. “For me, the purpose of light is to illuminate something, to illuminate something. That’s why we’re here to shine light on others, but keep it to ourselves.” Instead, we hope to inspire others through our journey,” says the group’s Kendall. “We have seen so many people from different backgrounds, people who may never have thought they would be able to follow their dreams, but who see us chasing them, who are inspired to pursue their dreams.” “I want to represent those who may find a desire to pursue their dreams,” she continued.
It hasn’t been an easy road in terms of their entry into the industry, but they’ve come out even stronger as a result. “I think having different cultures and backgrounds brings a lot to this new wave of music,” adds Camila. “The creation of this group was unprecedented and it is not a typical K-pop or pop group. It is a mix of both, so everyone can resonate with us and our music. can.
We caught up with this rising group to find out more about their experience on the reality show, how it felt to finally make their official debut, and what 2024 holds for them.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
How does it feel to make your official debut? Can you tell us about the moments leading up to this?
Lexi: I feel like it’s not real that we’re officially debuting. Just a year ago, he was just a normal teenager going to school and living a normal life, and now he’s officially coming out to the world as a VCHA. A lot of passion and emotion has been put into the process of making our debut. Because it’s the first step on our new journey. We have worked hard for our debut and can’t wait for the world to see what we have in store for them.
Kendall: It feels like a dream come true to finally be able to make my official debut. To be honest, two years ago I couldn’t have imagined being here considering I was just an average student, but I’m glad that a lot has changed, I’ve learned a lot, and I’ve grown as a person. Thank you very much. I had this opportunity. So I want to grow as an artist and work hard and do my best to provide the best content for my fans.
Camila: I’m so excited to finally be able to debut! We have worked hard for this moment. It was an amazing process from hearing the song for the first time, learning the choreography, recording the track, and shooting the music video. It’s finally finished and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.
VCHA is one of the few groups that has had the opportunity to experience A2K (America2Korea), how did you each find the process?
KG: I really enjoyed A2K, especially my first trip to Korea. I had never traveled abroad before, so it was very exciting to experience a new country and new culture. However, the A2K process was extremely difficult. We were trainees at JYP Entertainment, undergoing rigorous training and also participating in competitions. Although it was challenging for us, it was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and my proudest accomplishment. I’m very happy to win and be a part of this group. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.
Kayley: The process was a lot of fun and I learned a lot. This was an experience I don’t think I’ll ever have again and I’m so grateful to everyone who made it happen.
Savanna: The process was a whirlwind of emotions, but honestly, it was a really fun experience. I learned many skills, not just singing and dancing. Of course there was some pressure due to the mission, but we were made better by each other’s presence and created a great connection.
What do you think it takes to be successful in the music industry?
Lexi: There are many things that go into being successful in the music industry, but I think a big one is being yourself. This is so that I don’t lose myself in the process of doing what I love and can continue to motivate others with my work. More than anything, I think it’s important to work single-mindedly so that we can become someone our fans look up to.
Camila: I think success can be interpreted in many different ways. For me, the important thing is to work hard and be satisfied with the results. I want to make a difference and be a person that people respect. As long as I’m doing what I love and there are people who appreciate it, it means the world to me. Of course, always stay grounded and true to yourself.
Savanna: I think a great connection with your fans will lead to success in the music industry. After all, everything is made possible by the support of our fans, and we want to show our gratitude to them in as many ways as possible.
The name VCHA is based on the Korean word meaning “to shine light.” What does that word mean to you?
Kendall: For me, the purpose of light is to illuminate something, to illuminate something. Therefore, we are here to shed light on others. We hope to inspire others through our journey rather than keeping it to ourselves. We have seen so many people from all different backgrounds, people who may not have thought they would be able to follow their dreams, see us chasing them and are inspired to follow their dreams too. I want to represent those who may find hope.
Kayley: It embodies the desire to “illuminate” this journey. We all have someone we look up to and aspire to be a role model for others.
KG: I love the name VCHA. To me, “shining the light” means that we have been given this opportunity.
We shine our light as performers onto others. We can shine a light on others through our performance, our values, and by being a good example for those who share the same dreams.
How do you successfully blend the art of K-Pop with the influences and lifestyle of Los Angeles? What are the biggest similarities and differences in the way you create music in each field?
Lexi: Bringing in different cultures and backgrounds and merging them with the art of K-Pop has never been done before, so it really shows something new. While the culture behind each region largely determines how music is made, the fact remains that music is a passion that we all share and love.
Camila: I think having different cultures and backgrounds brings a lot to this new wave of music. The creation of this group has never been done before, and it is not your typical K-pop or pop group. It’s a mix of both so everyone can resonate with us and our music.
Kendall: I think growing up in a certain area and being raised a certain way has a different influence on everyone, and that’s reflected in the music. That’s what makes music personal. So music with a Korean background probably sounds similar to other Korean music you heard as a kid, and the same goes for American music. However, this does not limit music, as music is experimental in nature and aims to try new things. Therefore, combining different backgrounds in music creates new kinds of sounds that have never been heard before, allowing different people to immerse themselves in new sounds.
Your single “Girls of the Year” has been released and has finally made its way into the world. What is the song about?
Savanna: “Girls of the Year” represents exactly what we want to claim for that title. We’ve been working hard. And now we’re ready to show you what we have. This is a powerful song that encourages us, and we hope that others do the same.
KG: This song is about a dream that finally comes true after working hard. It represents our journey as VCHA and what it feels like to be a Girl of the Year now, being released to the world.
Kayley: This is a song about a trip to VCHA. We started by just practicing and working hard and now we are on our way to our dreams. We are Girls of the Year and we want to inspire many people.
Finally, what’s next? What are your plans for 2024?
Lexi: This is just the beginning of our beautiful journey. There is still a lot to introduce. Stay with us on this journey and see what happens!
Camila: Many projects are underway. We’ve been working hard over the past few months. We can’t wait for you to see the final product of our efforts. We are starting this year with our debut song “Girls of the Year” and it is truly an honor to be able to open for TWICE in so many countries. This is just the beginning. You can imagine many more great projects coming soon.
Kendall: 2024 is the year we want to communicate ourselves to the world. Our first step is the release of “Girls of the Year”. I hope you enjoy it. We have a lot more planned, so stay tuned for the future of VCHA.
Savanna: I think at the top of our list is performing for our fans. We are about to open for TWICE, so I’m really honored to have been given such an opportunity! It’s very exciting and we have a lot of things planned for the future!
KG: We have many exciting plans for 2024 on various stages around the world. We hope to meet fans from all over the world and spread our light in the process.
Kayley: I would like to continue to do my best and inspire many people. Since I was able to take a big step forward with my debut, I would like to continue making music throughout the year!
