INTERVIEW: Chinese unit from K-pop global project set sights high with ambitious goals
By Kim Joo-heonPosted : February 17, 2025, 15:02Updated : February 17, 2025, 17:22
The Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One pose for a photo before their interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. From left, Ranee, Katrina, Sandy, Chloee, Cassie, and Junny. AJP Han Jun-gu
SEOUL, February 17 (AJP) - The Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, consisting entirely of six Mandarin-speaking members, with no South Korean members, made their debut with a showcase in central Seoul last week.
They aim to combine K-pop with Chinese cultural elements on the global stage, with a vision to localize their unique fusion genre in one of the world's most populous countries.
As their aim suggests, their title track, "Bubble Gum," unveiled at the World K-Pop Center in Seoul on Wednesday, blends energetic hip-hop dance beats with bright, synth-driven melodies, creating a hybrid sound that reflects the ever-evolving nature of K-pop.
Cassie, the leader of the Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, speaks during an interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu
They were formed as part of "Click the Star," a global audition project aimed at recruiting and nurturing K-pop talent from 32 countries including China, Mongolia, Peru, Russia, and Viet Nam. Over 260,000 K-pop wannabes competed in an audition for the Chinese unit last year, with six finalists — Cassie, Chloee, Ranee, Katrina, Junny, and Sandy—ultimately selected to form the unit.
Sandy, a member of the Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, speaks during an interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu
While leveraging the global popularity of K-pop, the six members are eager to blend their own cultural aspects into it. In an interview with AJP shortly after their showcase, they said, "K-pop lyrics are a foreign language for us, so we want to introduce some elements of traditional Chinese culture into them, making them more relatable to our local audience."
They also seek to maximize the strengths of both Korean and Chinese cultural elements. "Our goal is to create songs that appeal to international audiences while capturing the distinct musical heritage of both countries," they said.
"We're preparing for performances and other activities in China in addition to album releases, hoping to bridge the two countries through our songs," they added.
Katrina, a member of the Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling, speaks during an interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu
Looking back on her journey of joining the group, Junny said, "One of the most memorable moments was during the first survival round when we had to part ways with some of our fellow trainees. It was heartbreaking because we had all worked so hard together, coming from different places and striving for the same dream," she recalled. "That was the first time I had to say goodbye to friends I had trained with, and it was a tough yet invaluable experience."
Junny, a member of the Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, speaks during an interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu
Other members also shared their struggles with learning Korean, admitting that while they didn't speak the language fluently at first, they gradually picked it up.
"Korean pronunciation is quite different from Chinese, so we certainly had a hard time, especially with the lyrics," Chloee said. "But we practiced a lot, and even though it was difficult at times, we've come a long way."
Ranee, a member of the Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, speaks during an interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu
The six members have set their ambitions high, hoping to expand their reach beyond Asia with a desire to perform in the U.S. and South America.
Chloee, a member of the Chinese unit of K-pop girl band Bling One, speaks during an interview with AJP on Feb. 10, 2025. AJP Han Jun-gu
Located near Seoul's Mt. Nam, the World K-Pop Center, which is behind them, has been training aspiring K-pop stars from various countries to help them debut in their own countries. Bling One's Peruvian unit, consisting of three South American members, made their debut in June last year.
