Loossemble embraces new challenges, shows 'endless love' for fans with album 'TTYL'

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Loossemble embraces new challenges, shows 'endless love' for fans with album 'TTYL'

Published: 03 Sep. 2024, 15:46

YOON SO-YEON
yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr

Girl group Loossemble performs its song ″TTYL″ during a showcase held at the Ilchi Art Hall music venue in southern Seoul on Sept. 2. [NEWS1]

All K-pop groups strive to show something new with a new album. Not all succeed, but “veteran rookie” girl group Loossemble hit the spot with its newest album “TTYL.”

“It’s a new style of music, new style in our hair, our visuals and even the dance,” member Yeojin of Loossemble told reporters during a showcase held Monday at southern Seoul’s Ilchi Art Hall. “We really prepared so hard for this. We’re nervous but also excited to present it to everyone.”

Loossemble’s third EP, “TTYL,” comes just five months after its second EP, “One of a Kind,” was released in April.

“TTYL,” short for “talk to you later,” centers around the band’s message, “We have endless love for you,” shown through the title track and five other songs included on the six-track album. The track “TTYL” is a rhythmic, synth-filled pop song with a cheeky, “sour-sweet, play-hard-to-get mood,” according to the members.

“There are so many different ways of loving someone, and we wanted to show that through our unique vibe,” Hyeju said. “Another major message of the album is to respect everyone’s differences and to embrace your own uniqueness. And a definite uniqueness could be in the way you love, which I hope the fans will see.”

Girl group Loossemble performs its song ″TTYL″ during a showcase held at the Ilchi Art Hall music venue in southern Seoul on Sept. 2. [NEWS1]

A unique attempt was made with the album where tracks No. 3 and 4 are two songs using the same bassline melody but with different lyrics and toplines. Members Hyeju, Vivi and Yeojin took part in the first version, “Cotton Candy (Confessions),” and members Hyunjin, Gowon and Yeojin took part in the second version, “Confessions (Cotton Candy).”

“'Cotton Candy’ is more on the rhythmic and powerful side and feels sweet like cotton candy,” Yeojin said.

“'Confessions,’ on the other hand, is more about a mature but softer side of love where you take matters into your own hands,” Hyunjin said. “We hope you really take in the difference between the two songs and enjoy.”

Loossemble is short for Loona Assemble, referring to the five members coming together. It is comprised of five members from the previous girl group — Hyunjin, Yeojin, Vivi, Go Won and Hyeju (who went by Olivia Hye during her days in Loona) — who fought through an uphill battle to stick together and come back as a quintet.

Girl group Loossemble poses for photos during a showcase held at the Ilchi Art Hall music venue in southern Seoul on Sept. 2. [YONHAP]

The group debuted last September after the members won a court battle against their previous agency, BlockBerry Creative, after the court had their exclusive contracts suspended, citing unfair contract terms.

Obstacles were definitely in their path, but the fans kept them going, according to Yeojin.

“We’re only human, so yes, we did want to just rest and play,” she said. “But you have to seize the opportunities when they arise, right? So, we told ourselves that we can rest and play later. We thought about our fans and the staff at the agency CTD E&M and that’s been keeping us going."

Loossemble will embark on a nine-city tour around the United States starting with a concert in Orlando on Oct. 6. The girl group also held a U.S. tour from September to October last year, straight after debuting as Loossemble.

“If the last tour was more formatted as a meet and greet, this tour will feel more like a concert,” Hyunjin said. “We can’t give a big spoiler, but the songs will have changed.”

“Touring really gives us the chance to meet a lot of people and experience different cultures,” Vivi said. “We get to be more energetic and passionate, and that helps us feel like we’re getting closer to each other and are really enjoying ourselves.”

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]