The Many Charms of HI CUTIE

HI CUTIE gained attention for being a “kid group,” debuting with an average member age of 12, but over the past four years, this group has stood out from the rest for reasons beyond youth. From assigning a signature color to each member to not being in a rush to grow up, HI CUTIE is a group with many traits that give them an adorable flair all their own.

Photo credit: Instagram

What words best describe HI CUTIE’s music? How would you finish the sentence “HI CUTIE is ____”?
“HI CUTIE is a tomboy.” We want to do free and unique music.

Is there a specific reason why each member has their own signature color, instead of the group as a whole having just one signature color? What do each of your colors represent to you?
[We] thought it would be nice to have something that symbolizes each [member]. [We] thought that color was the easiest way to appeal to one's symbol on stage with costumes or hairstyles. “Gray Area”'s outfits were also [our] signature colors (Yujin’s is blue, Yunjeong’s is red, Eungi’s is neon yellow, and Chaerin’s is purple). Each signature color has existed since “Play U,” and now how [our current signature colors] differ seems to be the fun point [of them].

How has HI CUTIE’s music changed since “Play U” came out?
After "Play U," we released the hip-hop style "Don't stop your dreams," the medium-tempo "Love Street," and "Little Touch." We showed our mature side by releasing calm ballads, like "After Winter.”

We don't want "Play U" and “Gray Area” to look like [the songs of] children. But cheerfulness and uniqueness are our charms. [We] hope people like [our] look.

Which HI CUTIE song do you recommend to listeners who are new to your music? Which song should new listeners try first?
It'd be good to listen to the latest song, “Gray Area.”  After that, [we] recommend listening to [our] songs in order, starting with "Play U.” [We] think it'll be fun to hear how we've changed since we were young.

What is your latest single and music video, “Gray Area,” all about? How does your latest comeback differ from past comebacks?
“Gray Area” is a song that unravels the ambiguous situations of everyday life with interesting lyrics. The most recent song is "Love Street,” but Gray Area is a full album following "Play U," "8th Grade Syndrome,” and "Try Again.”

Do you have any fun “TMI” stories from filming the “Gray Area” music video or from recording the song?
At the beginning of the second verse of the music video, Chaerin decided to prepare soy sauce according to the lyrics of "간장요리 레시피 (Soy Sauce Cooking Recipe)," but failed to prepare the soy sauce. The soy sauce in the music video is not soy sauce but brown paint. It was so much fun because it looked like soy sauce in the music video.

When did each of you first know you wanted to become a K-pop idol? If you were not K-pop idols, what other career goal would you be pursuing?
Although the times when we thought we wanted to become idols were different, Yujin and Yunjeong dreamed of becoming idols through a team called CutieL since elementary school. We don't know exactly what career paths we would have taken if we weren't K-pop idols, but Yunjeong, who has been acting for a long time, dreamed of becoming an actor. Yujin would have dreamed of being a composer or dancer, and Eungi would have continued to sing even if she wasn't a K-pop idol. Chaerin is still young, so we don't know about it, but we think she [would] do art, because she was a child who was very interested in drawing.

How do you balance school work with your busy schedules as a band?
We usually practice after school. Sometimes [we] go home after 1 A.M. Of course, [we] can't go to school if there is a performance, but we try not to be too absent from school or late.

What are the pros and cons of being a “kid group,” as opposed to an older K-pop group? In other words, how has debuting at such young ages affected your experiences in a K-pop group?
[We] remember how hard it was when we debuted as K-pop idols and performed and practiced as a team. [We] didn’t always hear good things. But [we] feel lucky to be able to perform in front of so many people and to be able to meet fans from all over the world. [We are] happy to share [our] childhood and present with the people who like us.

What advice do you have for other young girls who would like to pursue a career as a K-pop idol?
Absolutely challenge yourself. Opportunities come unexpectedly, and we must seize them. And you already have enough power to seize the opportunity. 

What are HI CUTIE’s future plans and goals?
We want to meet fans through various stages in the future. Various music broadcasts are also planned, and new songs are also being prepared, so please pay attention. Fans often ask us to visit other countries. We hope [to do so] too. We love Bellus <3

Check out HI CUTIE’s new music here, and check out more of their music by subscribing to their YouTube Channel!

Answers have been edited and condensed for clarity.