Kep1er Talks About How It Feels To Make Their Debut, Which Girl Group Is Their Role Model, And More

On January 3, Kep1er held an online showcase for the release of their debut album “FIRST IMPACT.”

Kep1er is a nine-member girl group formed through Mnet’s survival audition program “Girls Planet 999.” The group consists of members Choi Yu Jin, Sakamoto Mashiro, Shen Xiao Ting, Kim Chae Hyun, Kim Da Yeon, Ezaki Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Seo Young Eun, and Kang Ye Seo. Kep1er was initially supposed to debut in December, but their debut was pushed back due to COVID-19.

Yujin said, “We approached our debut with the mindset of absolutely not disappointing the fans who had been with us since ‘Girls Planet 999.'” Regarding the group’s color, she said, “I’m a bit cautious about pinning down her identity yet, but I hope that Kep1er can become a bright group that gives people strength.”

Asked about what set them apart from the other fourth-generation idol groups, Hikaru said, “Our energy and performance. We have the energy of people running to catch their dreams. We’ll showcase that energy through our performance.”

Among the members, Yujin had previously debuted in CLC, and Yeseo had debuted in Busters. Yeseo said, “Since we’d known each other since the show and gotten close, we were able to have a lot of conversations together. We worked hard to talk and communicate with each other.”

Kim Chae Hyun had formerly been a trainee at SM Entertainment, where she had known the members of aespa. She said, “The aespa sunbaenims sent me a message congratulating me and saying, ‘Soon we’ll be able to see each other in the waiting rooms at the broadcasters. They’re so busy that I haven’t been able to see them recently, but I’m excited to see them at the TV stations.”

The girls picked Girls’ Generation as their role model. Girls’ Generation’s Tiffany had been a master on “Girls Planet 999,” along with Sunmi. Youngeun said, “We think it’s so cool that all of them have their own individuality and appeal, but can come together for such amazing performances.”

The members also referenced continuing the legacy of Mnet’s project girl groups, from I.O.I to IZ*ONE. Kim Da Yeon said, “We weren’t able to fully realize it because we were so busy preparing for our debut album as soon as the show ended. But rather than feeling pressured, we’re excited. We want to work hard and show a cool image just like our seniors.”

Watch Kep1er’s debut music video “WA DA DA” here!

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