H1-KEY Dishes on their Inspiring New Album, Seoul Dreaming, and Journey as Artists
2023 has been a big year for K-pop rookie group H1-KEY.
Not only did members RIINA and HWISEO compete on the reality competition show Queendom Puzzle, with HWISEO coming in first, but earlier this year, their lead single "Rose Blossom" (cowritten by DAY6's Young K) reached No. 1 on the Bugs music chart. Finally, their recently released second mini-album, Seoul Dreaming, resulted in their highest-ever first-day sales.
(Photo credit: GLG)
Continuing their trend of inspiring music, Seoul Dreaming is a call to action for all listeners to follow their dreams. With their blend of addicting melodies and lyrics that speak to fans, this latest album is a vessel for the girl group to share a piece of themselves with their fans and cultivate a community of dreamers. For many people, it's uncertain where following their dreams may take them, but for H1-KEY the path towards stardom is clear. Keep reading to see what H1-KEY had to say about their latest album in our interview below.
Sweety High: What is the meaning behind the name H1-KEY?
SEOI: It comes from the slang term in English "lowkey" and "highkey." The name H1-Key, just like the meaning of the slang, represents the group's ambition to strive for inner beauty and inner well-being of the group.
(Photo credit: GLG)
SH: Seoul Dreaming is the follow-up to your hit album Rose Blossom. How do you think you've grown and developed as artists since Rose Blossom was released?
SEOI: I feel like the message that we want to deliver as a group has become clearer throughout the times compared to our days back in Rose Blossom. All of us have taken one step forward to becoming true artists.
YEL: We have done a lot of performances through the success of Rose Blossom, so I feel like we are more professional now.
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SH: RIINA and HWISEO, can you tell us a bit more about what it was like being on Queendom Puzzle?
RIINA: I really did learn a lot of things through this experience. It was like a dream come true, being able to perform and stand on one stage along with a lot of idol seniors. I was able to see what kind of effort all the other idols put in to create a stage and what kind of skills they develop over time. As time went by, I started to learn more and started to self-reflect and figure out what I need to do to become better.
HWISEO: I was really proud of myself for being able to create a performance stage in such a short period of preparation time. I was able to see how much further I can go in such a short span of time, and I got to know myself better through this experience.
(Photo credit: GLG)
SH: Your group's lyrics are very empowering, from "Athletic Girl" to "Run" to "Rose Blossom." Is this theme of empowerment something you think represents you guys as a group?
SEOI: H1-KEY's message that we want to deliver as a group to the public is all about inner well-being, and I believe inner well-being starts from believing in yourself. I really want to give hope and comfort to the people through our music, and I feel that the more experiences we go through, the message we want to deliver is becoming clearer.
SH: Seoul Dreaming is about the magical nature of dreams. As a group who's worked hard to get where you are today, what drives you to continue following your dreams?
RIINA: Whenever I practice or prepare for various activities, I always remind myself of how sincere I am doing this work, and I also tend to remind myself how fun it is to perform on stage in front of the fans. These days the fan support and love that we see are really what motivates me to keep pursuing my dreams. This time, my passion and drive to clearly deliver the group message to the fans really motivated me to work harder.
(Photo credit: GLG)
SEOI: While preparing for the album, there were certain comments from the staff members who have already listened and seen our songs and performances for the first time. They would give comments such as "I have been comforted" or "Now I feel hopeful." I believe those comments are the ones that really keep all of us going.
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SH: What are you most looking forward to with this new album?
HWISEO: I feel like the short-term goal that we want to achieve through this new mini album is being in first place on music show voting rankings. Also, through this album, I hope we have more M1-Keys so we can do a lot more fan meetings with M1-Keys face-to-face.
YEL: I hope we receive more comments from the fans in the public listening to our new album saying they have been comforted and they feel hopeful.
SH: Where do you see yourself in five years?
SEOI: I feel like after five years, I think all of us will be doing various activities and spending more time with M1-Keys. Not in a typical way, such as fan meetings and stuff, but I feel like we'll be spending more time with M1-Keys with very energetic and fun activities just like H1-KEY's concept and vibe.
SH: Your group has very inspiring themes across Rose Blossom and Seoul Dreaming. Why is it important that your music is a source of comfort for others?
RIINA: I used to get a lot of comfort through music, and I feel like the purpose of music is to give comfort to the listeners. Hearing all the comments regarding the fans earning comfort and being hopeful from our music is really what keeps us going. I feel like that's one of the most important factors in becoming artists and producing a lot of great performances and songs.
YEL: I personally get a lot of comfort while listening to music as well, and I also relate myself to song lyrics and such. I feel like there's a unique way that a song comforts another person. It's a little bit different when a person comforts another person. There's a unique way a song comforts one another. And I really hope we will become the kind of artist that can perform and sing such songs to give people comfort.
(Photo credit: GLG)
SH: Is there anything else you would like to add?
SEOI: Our second mini album, Seoul Dreaming, is very hopeful. It's an album that gives people comfort, so I hope all of you listen to it and send a lot of love and support to it. We will do our best to be able to meet all the M1-Keys all over the world. I can't wait to meet you guys in person.
Riina: A dream is what everybody has. You might not be sure of when it will be achieved or when it will come true. However, it is really the reason why you live on, having the hope of dreams coming true. So, always have hope. We are happy to come along on that journey with you. Let's dream together.
Want to hear more about our favorite girl groups? Click HERE to read our interview with BBGIRLS.