Promotional photo for K-pop girl group STAYC's album 'Metamorphic.' Photos from STAYC's X accountLaunched in 2020 from the creative minds of K-pop hitmakers Black Eyed Pilseung, STAYC was the first girl group to emerge from the producing duo’s label. Composed of Sumin, Sieun, Isa, Seeun, Yoon, and J, the act steadily ascended the K-pop ranks with a string of catchy singles under their “teen fresh” brand of music.

When the group spoke to ABS-CBN News in 2021 for their single “ASAP,” Sumin described “teen fresh” as a style that captures “teenagers’ cool and refreshing atmosphere” aimed at spreading a “healing and positive energy.” Three years later, STAYC assert that their sound has matured alongside them.

“When we debuted, we conveyed that fresh vibe only STAYC can deliver. As we worked on songs such as ‘ASAP’ and Stereotype,’ we tried innocent, cute and bubbly images,” vocalist Yoon shared in an interview with ABS-CBN News.

"Now we’re a genre that can do everything. At first, we thought ‘teen fresh’ is something orange, fresh and sprightly but I would like to inform you that ‘teen fresh’ has matured a lot now," Yoon said.

Sumin added: “I think that as STAYC changes, ‘teen fresh’ also changes. I think ‘teen fresh’ is STAYC itself, I think it keeps changing. All [our] songs can be defined as ‘teen fresh.’”

This idea of change is central to the group’s first studio album “Metamorphic.” Released in early July, the 14-track package aims to showcase STAYC’s growth since debut.

“[The album title] conveys the meaning that STAYC can show you infinite possibilities and evolved sides,” Seeun said.

“Because it contains 14 songs, you will probably be able to see so many different sides of STAYC that you couldn't even imagine,” Yoon said.

“Cheeky Icy Thang,” described as a “cool song with a hot attitude, evoking images of a confident runway strut on a sizzling summer street,” serves as the album’s lead single.

Sumin explained that the group picked a summer song to lead the album because “it goes well” with the South Korean summer season, which spans June to August.

For Isa, the release of “Metamorphic” is a career-defining moment. “I’ve always dreamed of releasing a studio album so I was even happier because it felt like another dream had come true,” she said.

But the journey to creating this album was no easy feat. “After our debut, it’s been the longest period to prepare an album,” admitted Sieun. “Including the agency staff, we put our heart and soul into this album so that's why it's so meaningful.”

‘Diverse charms’

“Metamorphic” also boasts a solo track from Isa, a duet featuring Sumin and Yoon, and a unit song performed by Sieun, Seeun, and J.

“You’ll be able to feel diverse charms [through the album],” said J, the group’s youngest member. “I also thought, ‘I think we can show you diverse vocal ranges.’”

Sharing her experiences while recording the album, Sumin revealed that she conquered new vocal heights. “I personally think I mastered high notes while recording this album… I was very proud because I felt like I had made progress doing it,” she said.

Sumin added that she initially had difficulties in expressing “Cheeky Icy Thang,” but improved as she continued to prepare for the comeback. 

“I finished recording it and I was preparing the choreography so I got more and more familiar with the song. That’s how I got to realize how to express the song,” she recounted.

‘Great influence’

STAYC has consistently made waves in the K-pop scene, gracing stages at major events like KCON, performing at Korean university festivals, and even electrifying crowds at Waterbomb. Such experiences, Sieun said, have deepened the group’s appreciation for their role as K-pop artists.

“Before my debut as a singer, I just had this small hope to influence at least one person with my song or performance. I’ll be so happy with that. I have realized [now] how great the influence of K-pop and my job has through those events,” she said.

Having met fans from across the world, including those from the Philippines in December 2022, Sieun has also developed a renewed perspective as a performer. 

“After meeting so many fans, I felt a lot of different emotions. I received so much love and felt so grateful but I also felt a sense of responsibility,” she said. “Now I definitely feel less afraid of change. I learned how to enjoy it more than before.”

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