EXCLUSIVE | K-pop group ILY:1 bloom with their first comeback ‘Que Sera Sera’
K-pop girl group ILY:1 is already back with their very first comeback ‘Que Sera Sera’. The six-member group had debuted in April with the hit single ‘Love In Bloom’ which had made waves internationally. From familiar faces that participated in survival shows like ‘Girls Planet 999’ and the ‘Nizi Project’ to their own pre-debut reality show ‘ILY:0’, fans were excited to get to know the girls better.
Well, following their successful debut, ILY:1 is back with their second single ‘Que Sera Sera’ which they released on July 20. And MEAWW had a chance to ask the new girl group about their first comeback, source of inspiration and challenges. In an exclusive interview with MEAWW, ILY:1 spilled on the type of concepts they would like to try, future acting projects, how they wind down and more.
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MEAWW: Congrats on your first-ever comeback! What message are you trying to share with your new music?
HANA: First of all, we are happy to be able to make a comeback so quick. ‘Que Sera Sera’ is a great song to listen to during the summer, and we hope it helps you enjoy a cool summer!
MEAWW: What was your reaction when you learnt you would be making a comeback so soon?
ARA: We were all so happy and thrilled about soon being able to meet ONLY:1 (ILY:1’s fandom).
RONA: As a person who enjoys being busy, it was exciting to meet ONLY:1 again so soon and show them another side of ILY:1!!
MEAWW: Please share a funny or memorable incident from your album-making process for ‘Que Sera Sera’.
RIRIKA: It was a very hot day when we were filming the ‘Que Sera Sera’ music video, and during a scene with a puppy, the puppy peed on my outfit. I think the weather might have been too hot for the puppy. I was really thankful to the puppy yet so sorry at the same time.
RONA: Did anyone hear the “lover lover yoo-hoo” after the rap part? I’m the one who sings it, and it was so funny during the recording of it. I was told to bend the notes for the “yoo-hoo,” but I was so bad at it that the director said, “RONA, don’t make it sound like an ajeossi (middle-aged man).” ONLY:1 also told me that the part sounds like Mario. LOL!
MEAWW: Fans love your cute concepts. But is there a concept or genre that you would like to try in the future that you haven’t before?
HANA: Personally, I want to try rock music.
ELVA: I feel the same way as HANA, but if given the chance, I want to try a girl-crush concept.
RONA: I want to try a sexy concept that’s a bit more mature and chic!
MEAWW: Your debut album ‘Love in Bloom’ peaked on global iTunes charts. How did you feel when you first heard the news?
ELVA: We were all so ecstatic when we first heard the news. It’s all thanks to our fans and those who like our music!
RONA: I didn’t even imagine!!! Thank you everyone for loving ‘Love in Bloom’! We’ll continue to work even harder!!!
MEAWW: What is something new that you would like to show fans with ‘Que Sera Sera’?
NAYU: We want to show ILY:1’s unique powerful yet innocent concept along with our summer-innocent-idol image!
MEAWW: You all are from different countries; were there any challenges?
ARA: There weren’t any challenges from our geographic differences that we had to overcome. We were able to become one cute, warm family through the conversations we shared and by understanding and accepting one another.
MEAWW: Are there any new words or habits that you picked up from each other?
ARA: I’m roommates with RONA, and as one of her habits is that she drinks water before going to bed, I’m also doing that these days!
ELVA: Due to having only one shower booth in the dorm, I obtained the skill to take showers faster.
MEAWW: We have to talk about some of the members’ participation in survival shows like ‘Nizi Project’ and ‘Girls Planet 999’. Did the experience help during your debut?
RIRIKA: I participated in both the ‘Nizi Project’ and ‘Girls Planet 999’, and honestly, I think survival programs are extremely gruelling. Nevertheless, there was so much I learned from that experience, I was able to discover a side to myself, and my skills developed as I practised and spent time with those who are pursuing the same dream as myself.
RONA: Thanks to the program, I made so many precious friendships with people who share the same dream as me! It was awesome!!!
MEAWW: If you were to choose only one of these to eat for the rest of your life, which would you pick - ramyun or pizza?
ARA: Pizza! I think it’s a relatively healthier option and contains a lot of ingredients.
RONA: I think I would be able to eat ramyun for the rest of my life!! There is such a wide variety of ramyun, including those that have broth and those that are mixed with a sauce without any broth… Also, another reason why I don’t think I’ll get sick of eating ramyun is that different countries each have their own style of ramyun.
MEAWW: What do you like to do when you have a break?
RIRIKA: I like to relax by going on walks while enjoying the beautiful scenery and listening to my favourite music.
ELVA: I think the best way to relax is by watching movies and dramas and eating yummy food.
MEAWW: Which artists are your inspiration when it comes to music?
NAYU: It’s OH MY GIRL sunbaenims (seniors).
MEAWW: Being a K-pop idol comes with its set of challenges. What do you do when you are feeling stressed?
HANA: Whenever I’m stressed, the first thing I do is write in the memo app on my phone or in my diary. Then, when I’ve calmed down, I think about what is stressing me out and what I can do to resolve the problem. If that doesn’t work, I guess another solution that is helpful from time to time in relieving the stress is to shout from the top of my lungs… haha!
RONA: I either sleep or eat delicious food… and then try to find a solution.
MEAWW: Which drama are you currently watching? Do you wish to venture into acting in the future?
ARA: The drama I’m watching these days is ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’. I would love to have a try at acting if given a chance someday. I think the process of becoming another version of myself, who is not myself, with fully putting my emotions into the acting will help me become an individual who can experience and learn even more things. I also recently watched ‘Stranger Things’ on Netflix! It was amazing, but I finished watching all the series, unfortunately. It felt like I was watching a TV series while also studying English.
MEAWW: Your fans have shown immense support during your debut album and are eagerly waiting for your new music. What would you like to tell them?
ILY:1: ONLY:1!! Thank you for all the love and support you’ve sent us since our debut until now! We are able to have confidence, work harder, and are happy, all thanks to you. We put our heart and soul into ‘Love in Bloom’, we are working hard for our ‘Que Sera Sera’ promotion, and we will continue to develop. So please look forward to ILY:1! We love you, ONLY:1!
Watch the music video for ‘Que Sera Sera’ below.