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The birth of K-pop groups shows no signs of stopping. New bands are debuting every year, each bringing their own spectrum to the already colorful wave that has swept—and continues to sweep—the world many times over. Every once in a while, you'll come across a group that not only brings their own color to K-pop but inspires you to live life colorfully, too.
Such is the aspiration of K-pop's newest girl group, Lapillus.
The Latin word "lapillus" refers to a gemstone that changes its color depending on the direction of light that hits its surface. The K-pop group, Lapillus, however, is an all-female powerhouse comprising six members namely: Shana, Chanty, Yue, Bessie, Seowon, and Haeun. They are MLD Entertainment's first girl group in six years, following in the footsteps of MOMOLAND.
Lapillus for K-loka by Cosmopolitan Philippines November 2022
"Our company chose our group name, Lapillus, because they wanted each of us to shine in our own ways and show the world our different colors,” the girls tell K-loka by Cosmopolitan Philippines. "MLD Entertainment also hopes that by watching us, our audience can be motivated to also find their own colors.”
According to Merriam-Webster, a lapillus is "a small stony or glassy fragment of lava ejected in a volcanic eruption”. This definition doesn't fall far from the girls' own history—just like the rest of the K-pop superstars of today, MLD's newest sextet was formed through rigorous training before finally making their debut. They were selected through a global audition that saw tens of thousands of hopefuls vying for a chance to make a difference in the world through music.
During Lapillus' press conference in Manila in early September, the members revealed how long they trained before debuting. Shana, Seowon, and Yue trained the longest at two years. Haeun trained for one and a half years. Chanty's training took about eight to nine months, while Bessie's was six months. It seems short compared to the training period of other groups, but it's also a testament to the talent that each of the members possesses. However, training is training and in the K-pop world—it's a make-or-break period.
"When we were trainees, we always faced the risk of being fired anytime,” the girls recall, when asked about what the hardest part of their pre-debut training was. They had weekly and monthly tests where they had to prove their dancing, singing, and speaking techniques. Falling below expectations could mean saying goodbye to their dreams of debuting as K-pop idols. But while they lived in stress and anxiety throughout that period in their lives, they can now finally heave a sigh of relief when they look back on it.
"Thankfully we were able to get through it together,” they say.
Shana calls herself Lapillus' "little mommy" as she is the leader and is in charge of vocals. While her bright eyes and honesty can instantly captivate your attention, Shana, who hails from Japan and whose MBTI is ENFP, is actually quite reserved. So what does it take for a shy person to break out of her shell and pursue a career that's constantly in the limelight? Apparently, it's getting inspired by the hard work of others. "During elementary school, I watched iKON sunbaenim's audition in a reality show and got inspired by their perseverance and passion. At that moment I decided to challenge myself, too," she shares.
For Chanty, IU and BTS are her inspirations in pursuing a career in K-pop. "I got inspired by their performance and the message they give to their fans. I also dream to be able to give a good impact on my fans as they (IU and BTS) did to me, and I wish to be a good role model." Chanty, whose real name is Marie Chantal Videla, is actually no stranger to showbiz. She used to be a Star Magic artist who appeared in a couple of TV dramas here in the Philippines before reaching for her K-pop dreams. These experiences helped her become Lapillus' positive and refreshing vocalist, and resident *vitamin C.*
Like Shana and Chanty who had to uproot themselves to live the K-pop dream, Yue also had to move from the US to be an MLD Entertainment trainee. Despite the distance, her parents were her biggest motivation to power through, especially during the tough trainee days. "They gave me more confidence and supported whatever I did," she says. The loyal, colorful, and calm Yue, whose real name is Nancy Yang, is in charge of dance and vocals for the group. She also reveals to us that ITZY inspired her to push for this dream. "I saw them perform 'DALLA DALLA' in KCON LA in 2019, and I really enjoyed the energy they gave off. I also want to give that energy to other people and motivate them to become confident in finding their own colors and dreams. Watching ITZY sunbaenim, I realized that it's okay to be myself and love who I am."
Bessie is the group's rapper and main vocalist whose sunny and hip personality radiated throughout the day we spent with the girls. This possibly emanates from the person who motivated her to become a K-pop idol: CL. "When I watched CL sunbaenim's stage performances, seeing her confidence inspired me to pursue this jobm too,” she confesses. But while she does both singing and rapping well, Bessie says she enjoys being a rapper more because she can write her story in the lyrics. "I believe by using small moments and experiences of my life, I can express it in my rap lyrics," she adds.
"When I was younger, I really liked lovely and princess-y vibes,” Seowon reveals when asked about who piqued her interest in becoming a K-pop idol. "Upon watching Apink sunbaenim and their stage performances, I got inspired by them to become a K-pop idol.” Now at 16 years old in Korean age, Seowon's shy personality off-stage is the complete opposite of who she is on stage. Out there under the hot spotlight, she transforms into one of the group's resident fierce rappers who wax bad-ass lines such as "I'm a cat, a pretty butterfly to look at, but watch your back, I'm also a merciless bad b*****!".
Lastly, the group's maknae, Haeun. Can you believe she is only 15 years old in Korean age? She is also one of Lapillus' resident dance machines who names SISTAR as the group that inspired her to become the rookie idol that she is today. Aside from dancing and singing, Haeun also tells us that she likes to play basketball! A self-confessed ENTP, Haeun is surely one energy bunny that doesn't seem to run out of battery. I kid you not: This was evident when we were together the entire day for a shoot.
The girls have different reasons for pursuing this career and have different sunbaes that motivate them to do their best. Collectively, however, Lapillus names 2NE1 as the group that they most look up to. "'I Am The Best' is our favorite among 2NE1 sunbaenim's songs. No matter what stage, when they sing this song, it's filled with confidence and bright energy that is contagious," the members gush.
Shana, Chanty, Yue, Bessie, Seowon, and Haeun come from backgrounds that are diverse as can be. Naturally, one couldn't help but wonder how six girls, coming from different parts of the world, could make this teamwork work. If you ask them, however, their diversity is what makes them stand out. "Although we are so different from each other, our differences brought us closer as one," they relay.
Of course, challenges don't stop just because they've already debuted. For leader Shana, for example, the language barrier is where she still struggles the most. "I can't verbally express what I want to say, and I get sad when I can't use my own language with others." But seeing their dynamics up close during the shoot, I realize how there is harmony in diversity among the girls. If anything, I believe this is what would make the group become even more successful in the months and years to come.
As a group, their packed schedule is what all of them identify as the most challenging part of their career. "Usually we have to get ready very early in the morning and finish around dusk, then we have dance practice. Our bodies are really fatigued and we just want to rest," the members reveal. Speaking of rest, the girls' form of relaxation is as varied as their personalities, too. Shana and Chanty like to call their families to catch up on things, as well as write in their journals. They like to reflect on the tasks they need to accomplish and the goals they want to achieve. Meanwhile, Yue and Seowon both like watching movies to unwind. Bessie, on the other hand, likes to sleep.
But more than the food and rest that help them recharge, it's their fans that give them that much-needed push to power through the daily grind. "When we think about how the fans are anticipating our performance the next day, we become motivated again to practice and present a better performance," they say.
Lapillus debuted on June 22, 2022, with their first-ever single, "Hit Ya!". The song, with its addicting hook, puts a spotlight on the girls' vocals, confidence, and charm. The accompanying MV, which by now has hit 10 million views on their YouTube channel, is where they are able to enthrall their fans with their strong dance performance.
Riding the high from their debut and keeping their momentum, the girls released their first EP, Girls Round Part 1, about three months after "Hit Ya!". The title track, "Gratata," is one addictive song that the members think you will never get sick of hearing. "The lyrics also contain motivational lines we hope our listeners will feel motivated by. It's a song that presents our vocal and rap abilities," the girls tell us, pride evident in their voices.
While the world is finally starting to open up and concerts and fan meets are coming on full blast again, the pandemic is still ongoing and chances of meeting fans in person can change in an instant. As a group that debuted during a pandemic, Lapillus wasn't, in fact, expecting any fans at all during their debut showcase. But fate knows how to surprise the unsuspecting.
"When we went on stage, we saw the Lapillus banners and fans giving their best screaming the fan chants of our songs. It's really amazing, at times, to be able to hear them even with our in-ears on. We felt extremely touched and emotional by their actions," the girls recall, when asked about the most memorable experience they've had so far while performing on stage.
During their promotional tour in the Philippines not too long ago, Chanty remembers that their cover of Yeng Constantino's "Salamat" during a mall show was truly unforgettable. "When we were singing the song during our second fan meet at Ayala Fairview Terraces Mall, our fans turned on their flashlights on their phones and waved it along with the music," she recounts. "We were deeply touched by our fan's actions and our eyes were blurred by our tears."
Now that they are finally on their way to becoming superstars in their own right, they are working even harder to live up to the meaning behind their name. "We hope that by using our music and performances, we can influence other people to follow their dreams and find their true selves," the members share. "We dream that in the future, when people think of the group 'Lapillus,' they will think of how influential and positive they are to their audience. We hope that our audience will use Lapillus as a support to become better versions of themselves."
American author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek, in one of his books, has emphasized the importance of starting with "why." According to him, having a strong and clear "why" sets the foundation for how businesses and leaders would be able to inspire others and set themselves apart from the rest. I think Mr. Sinek would be very pleased with Lapillus. They know their "why."
In three years' time, or maybe even shorter, it wouldn't surprise me to know that Lapillus is already out there conquering not just South Korea, but also the world. By then, they would likely have achieved their goal of being loved by many people across the globe. By then, they would have also gained lots of experience and have become role models for other people. It's because they know why they exist, and they love what they are doing.
Just like how precious gems go through a complex process before it even gets sold as valuable jewelry, so would Shana, Chanty, Yue, Bessie, Seowon, and Haeun. Each obstacle they face will help polish their imperfections and bring out the natural brilliance, luster, and shine that only a lapillus exudes.
*This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
PRODUCED BY: Hanna Tamondong
CO-PRODUCED BY: Andie Estella
PHOTOGRAPHED BY: Renzo Navarro
ART DIRECTION BY: Bacs Arcebal, Pauline Moyano
HAIR BY: Woo Kyounghwa
MAKEUP BY: Choi Yuna
STYLED BY: Kim Yezi
VIDEOS BY: Patricia Geminiano, Jino Del Mundo
SPECIAL THANKS TO: MLD Entertainment, Star Magic
