Girl group STAYC is not your average K-pop band. While the world was reeling from the ramifications of Covid-19, the six-piece group set out to make their dreams come true, by debuting as their company’s first ever girl group in 2020.
The group comes from High Up Entertainment, founded by legendary music producer Rado (You might recognise him from hits, like Twice’s TT and Fancy, as well as Apink’s I’m So Sick). With STAYC, he wanted to create a girl group that would dominate the K-pop scene—and that, he did.
Even the group’s name is a clever acronym. STAYC stands for “Stars To A Young Culture”—a premonitive mark of the group’s massive impact in the Korean music field. Just five years ago after their breakout hit So Bad, the group’s members—SUMIN, SIEUN, ISA, SEEUN, YOON and J—have earned the admiration and support from their hoard of adoring fans, affectionately named SWITHs. SWITHs have since grown to be over 2 million strong, and it’s not difficult to see how the girl group got here.
Their signature sound is best captured in three words: vibrant, bubbly and spirited. The members have always embraced their youthful side (their youngest member is J, who is turning 21 this year), and their bright energy is infectious. Among their best known records is BEBE, GPT and Cheeky Icy Thang, all of which carry groovy beats and addictive melodies that the world can’t get enough of.
This summer, the group dropped their special single I WANT IT, three tracks that have been touted as the songs of the summer. The titular song I WANT IT showcases STAYC’s unmistakable cheerful energy, but this time, with a cooler, laidback vibe. The earworm speaks of the power of self-confidence, especially in the face of adversity and uncertainty. With raw themes of honestly, love, and emotional struggle, the other two songs—BOY and Honestly—add a more heartfelt touch to the group’s already standout discography.
Recently, we got the chance to speak to the girls of STAYC in an exclusive interview. Keep reading to discover more about I WANT IT and what the group is looking forward to most when they are in town for their STAY TUNED concert on 16 August.
GRAZIA Singapore (GS): The song I WANT IT talks about self-confidence and staying true to yourself. How do you guys cultivate confidence, especially in the competitive and cutthroat music industry?
SEEUN: For me, confidence is about trusting my [STAYC] members and people around me, while not letting myself get swayed by what other people might say.
GS: I WANT IT is such a summer bop. What is your go-to summertime activity?
YOON: Listening to I WANT IT, it’s so much fun!
GS: Which part of the song speaks to you most?
J: There’s a part where the mood suddenly changes in the bridge, which makes me emotional.
GS: As part of your 2025 world tour STAY TUNED, you guys are visiting Singapore this month. What are you guys most looking forward to doing while you’re here?
SUMIN: I’m most excited to meet our Singapore fans. I’m also craving for some delicious seafood, because I remember how good the food was when I last visited.
GS: As you approach your fifth anniversary, how do you think the group has evolved since your debut?
SIEUN: I think STAYC has never been afraid of challenges, and we have kept on going for the past five years. We tried various genres and concepts which has allowed us to find a clearer colour as artists, while we each individually improved as well.
I think we now know the direction of where we want to go and of our strengths better. Moreover, I think our attitude on stage [and] communicating with the audience has become so much more professional through our past experiences.
GS: Boy, another track from the album, speaks of the excitement and thrill of embarking on a new romantic journey. Can you rank the members of STAYC from most to least romantic?
ISA: For me, it would be SEEUN first, followed by SIEUN, YOON, myself (ISA), J and finally SUMIN.
READ MORE
Le Sserafim To Bring Pop-Up Store To Funan Ahead Of Singapore Concert
Yuju, Shaun, Regina Song And More Are Set To Take The Stage At GrooveDriver Festival 2025
Blackpink’s Rosé To Bring “Rosie” Pop-Up Store To Singapore In August