KPOPWORLD: “SOURPATCH” plays with sweet and sharp emotions, much like teenagehood itself. When you think about growing up today, what parts of youth do you think are misunderstood, especially by adults? 

Seojin: Adults often say that teenagers are still young and fearless. But I believe it's because we're young that we’re able to take on new challenges and try many different things without hesitation. As HITGS, we’ll continue to do our best to express the full range of emotions that teenagers experience!

Seohee: There are things we can’t do because we’re teens, but there are also so many things we can do because we are. We’re just enjoying the little things in life, but adults sometimes mistake that for wasting time. I think once enough time has passed, they’ll realize those moments were never a waste at all.

The concept behind Things we love : H centres around finding joy in small things. What’s something tiny, random, or strange that each of you personally loves – something that might surprise your fans? 

VV: Hotpot! I feel so much joy when I eat hotpot. I absolutely love it.

Seojin: In our debut album, there are tiny stickers and lucky charms that the members of HITGS personally designed. I thought our fans would really love discovering those. I hope they keep them close and think of HITGS when they see them.

Seohee: Watching my favorite dramas while eating delicious food always makes me so happy!

Hyerin: I love resting. I really enjoy taking time to recharge.

Iyoo: Chocolate is my favorite snack! I’m the happiest when I’m eating it.

You’ve worked with Ryan Jhun – a producer known for shaping some of K-pop’s biggest sounds. Was there a moment in the studio that helped you discover your own voice as artists? 

Seohee: As we recorded and took Ryan Jhun’s direction, we gradually refined each part and could see the song becoming something unique to HITGS. It was such a proud moment, and throughout that process, I felt I was also discovering who I am as an artist.

Hyerin: When I heard the finished track after all of us had recorded our parts, and our voices were layered together—it really moved me. That moment is unforgettable.

From choreography to fashion, your visuals are super dialled in. How do you see visuals as part of your storytelling – and are there any visual references or moodboards you drew from when creating this era? 

Seojin: Each member has a strong visual identity, and together, we captured a lovable and refreshing vibe. To highlight the natural charm unique to teenage girls, we drew inspiration from videos of many senior artists and worked hard to reflect that.

Seohee: Just like the theme of our album, we aimed to visually express the sweetness of being a teenager. I think we did a great job portraying the feeling of love in a visual way, especially in the music video.

The name HITGS stands for “Hip, Innocent, Teenager, Girls, Story.” Which of those five words feels most true to you right now – and which one are you still growing into? 

VV: Preparing for my debut after coming from China wasn’t easy, and I think the word “Story” really reflects my journey. I’m working hard on dancing these days, and as I continue to grow and discover new sides of myself, I feel that “Hip” is the word I’m still developing into.

Seojin: I think “Innocent” suits me well, as it captures my soft and pure image. And since our story has just begun, I want to continue building the “Story” part of HITGS.

Seohee: “Innocent” is the word I chose, because I think I have the purest charm in the team. Since we just debuted, I’m putting in a lot of effort to express “Hip” better—through my expressions, movements, and presence on stage.

Hyerin: I’m still a teenager, so “Teenager” definitely fits me best. And as a rookie, I’m working hard to grow into the “Hip” side of our identity.

Iyoo: I’m most confident in dancing, so I think “Hip” describes me well. Since I’m still young, I also relate to the word “Girls” and want to embody it more fully.

Your story already includes multiple cultures and creative backgrounds. As a group that’s stepping into the global spotlight, how do you want to shape the conversation around what “K-pop” can be today?

Hyerin: Through our performances as HITGS, I hope people watching us feel a burst of positive energy!

Iyoo: I really hope our performances can give strength and encouragement to those who see them.

What’s something from your pre-debut journey – maybe a failure, frustration, or turning point – that ended up being essential to who you are as artists now? *

VV: The moment I first saw Aespa's Ningning sunbaenim perform. She’s been my idol for a long time. Everything about her stage—her expressions, vocals, and dance—was so impressive, and it had a huge impact on shaping who I want to be as an artist.

Seohee: Performing at the “GayoDaejeon” year-end show. It was the first time I experienced a real stage, and preparing for it helped me grow so much. That experience truly shaped my identity as an artist.

If Things we love : H is the prologue of your story, what kind of chapters do you hope are coming next – sonically, emotionally, or visually? 

Seojin: Our debut album is filled with the emotions of teenage girls falling in love. In the next chapters, we’d love to show HITGS’s growth through music that reflects our unique colors.

Hyerin: I’m looking forward to growing with my fellow members and communicating with fans through different stages and performances. I can’t wait to show the many different sides of ourselves in the chapters to come.

If you could collaborate with any artist outside of Korea – whether music, fashion, or film – who would it be and why? What would you want to create together? 

VV: I’d love to appear on Running Man with Yuqi sunbaenim from (G)I-DLE. I’ve always loved the show, and I think we could show some really fun chemistry together.

Seojin: I want to collaborate with Salem Ilese sunbaenim, who sang the demo for our debut track. I think it’d be amazing to release a trendy, kitschy song that blends both our colors.

Seohee: I’ve loved Anne-Marie sunbaenim’s music for a long time and practiced with her songs during my trainee days. I would love the chance to sing with her one day.

Hyerin: I’m a huge fan of Ariana Grande sunbaenim. I hope to work with her someday under the name HITGS. I’m excited just thinking about what kind of song and stage we could create together.

Iyoo: I really love Aimyon sunbaenim’s music and would love to collaborate with her. I think we could show fans a new side of HITGS through that kind of project.

Let’s say in 10 years, a fan discovers this debut. What do you hope they feel when they hear “SOURPATCH” or “Never Be Me” for the first time? 

VV: I hope they feel the heart of a teenage girl—and that they fall in love with the song.

Seojin: No matter their age, I hope it brings back memories of their own teenage years, sparks empathy, and makes them feel happy and nostalgic.

Seohee: I hope it reminds them of our early rookie days—that they’ll remember how fresh and lovely HITGS was when we first debuted.

Hyerin: I hope the vibrant and powerful energy unique to rookie HITGS comes through again when they hear it, even years later.

Iyoo: Even if time has passed, I want our songs to always deliver the bright and hopeful vibe of teenage girls that HITGS stands for.

Things we love : H by HITGS is out now.