VCHA Interview: Embracing Diversity – Uniting Different Backgrounds and Cultures

Through our latest interview, we catch up with JYP Entertainment’s newest global girl group, VCHA. The 6-member girl group recently made their debut after participating in the show A2K (America2Korea). The group consists of Lexi, Camila, Kendall, Savanna, KG, and Kaylee.

In September 2023 and December 2023, the girls unveiled a few pre-debut singles. Now, on January 26th, 2024, VCHA made their official debut with their single album “Girls of the Year”. They have released a new single, “Only One” and have unleashed a performance video to go along with it. This single is out just in time for their big USA performance!

VCHA is ready to open for TWICE’s encore concert at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. This is TWICE’s 5th World Tour, Ready To Be Once More. Yet, tomorrow, March 16th, 2024, is an important moment in VCHA’s music career.

Let’s see what VCHA has to say about opening for TWICE, A2K, their newest single, and their music journey. Check out their interview below.

VCHA INTERVIEW

Please introduce yourself to the HypnoticAsia readers.

• Lexi: A little bit about us is that we were created through the show A2K, where we went through a series of evaluations to be judged by J.Y. Park. Through this experience, we learned to grow as people in many different categories, such as character and skills! The goal of the show was to create a global girl group consisting of unique individuals, and that’s how we made it as the final members of VCHA! 
• Savanna: We are a group built of different backgrounds and cultures that came together to make music and hopefully inspire others to pursue their dreams as well!

Congratulations on being dubbed “the next big global girl group” by Teen Vogue! How does it feel to receive such recognition and what steps have you taken to maintain this momentum?

• Camila : It’s a surreal feeling! We’re honored to be given such recognition! We’ve worked really hard for the past year and it’s amazing to see how we keep growing every day. I know there’s a long way to go but I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished so far! 
• Kendall: Receiving such recognition as a new group is an amazing feeling, and it proves that the hard work and effort we put in is paying off. We will continue to work hard for our upcoming releases to impress those who may follow our journey as VCHA.

You’re set to perform as the opening act for TWICE during their one-night-only encore performance at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium. How are you preparing for this huge opportunity and what can fans expect from your performance?

• KG: We are beyond grateful and excited for the opportunity to open for TWICE in Las Vegas as it really is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It’s new for us to perform in such big stadiums, as we only debuted a few months ago, so I’m sure there will be a mix of emotions like excitement and nerves, but we’ve practiced hard for this moment so I believe in us. I know when we get up on that stage, the audience brings out the best of us, and we will focus on enjoying every moment.
• Lexi: We are always working hard towards showing the best version of ourselves on stage! We help remind each other in times of nervousness that we worked hard for this and that we should really live in the moment. Fans can expect a bright, cheerful performance that represents VCHA and our journey. We promise we won’t disappoint!

Tell us about your experience on the competition series A2K (America 2 Korea). How has that journey influenced your growth as artists and performers?

• Savanna: Wow, it’s hard to sum up the experience as it was full of so many emotions. A2K really brought every single one of us to the next level. Training for each mission really helped shape us to the artist we are today. Through our training and experience we learned more about us as individuals, like our style of singing, character, and also working as a team.
• Camila: I believe A2K was a big learning experience. We came as regular girls with a big dream, having no idea what to expect. We had to learn and adapt so fast and I think that made us stronger. I also want to mention that the training system was incredible! I know for a fact that everyone that watched the show knows how much we’ve grown, it’s all thanks to hard work, great professional training and motivation! 

Your upcoming single “Only One” is set to release on March 15th. Can you give us some insights into the inspiration behind the song and what listeners can anticipate from the track?

• Kendall: “Only One” is a song that is meant to uplift you no matter what, so it is a very bright song that was written as our love letter to our VLIGHTS to show our love and appreciation for them.
• KG: Our new song “Only One” is our special love letter to our fans, VLIGHTS, to tell them how much we love and appreciate them. It has a very energetic and fun sound, one that definitely will get stuck in your head, and the choreography is just as good as it brings out different sides of us.

Your past tracks have reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Trending Songs Chart and YouTube’s Trending Worldwide music videos. How do you feel about this overwhelming response?

• Lexi: It is truly an honor. I never expected anything like this, but I’m so grateful that we were able to achieve something like this! It’s thanks to our fans that we were able to accomplish this. Thank you so much for all of the support and love, and we promise that we won’t let you down! 
• Camila: It’s unbelievable! Everything has happened so fast, so many achievements, so much love and support, it’s more than we imagined! These milestones give us so much strength and we’re so thankful to our VLIGHTS and everyone that has shown so much appreciation to us!

With your rising popularity and global recognition, how do you navigate the pressures and expectations that come with being part of a successful girl group in the industry?

• Savanna: Although there are pressures and expectations put on us as any artist would in the spotlight, we know to be confident in our skills and what we are putting out together as a group. We will keep working hard each day to improve our skills, and stay confident as artists. Confidence is key!
• Kendall: I believe that there will always be pressure and expectations which come from being in the public eye. However, I think it’s important before anything to be confident in yourself and confident in what you do so you don’t rely on affirmations coming from others.

As a group from JYP Entertainment, known for producing iconic acts, what sets VCHA apart? And how do you aim to carve out your unique identity within the K-pop landscape?

• Camila: I think what sets us apart is the fact that we all come from different places and share different cultures. I think it’s a huge step up in the industry, being able to represent so many people around the world it’s the most special feeling. We hope to inspire and grow together as a group with different backgrounds that have come together to show the world what an amazing global girl group we are! 
• KG: I believe what sets VCHA apart is the fact that we are very diverse. Our group represents diversity from all around, and that itself leaves a beautiful message. With being able to represent diversity, we hope to inspire and be that light to those with similar dreams from all around the world.

In what ways do you think your participation in events like opening for TWICE and appearing on A2K contribute to your growth as performers and broaden your fanbase internationally?

• Lexi: Being able to experience such amazing things on this journey of ours truly helps with our growth as performers. In terms of A2K, we are something that’s never been made before, so a group of culturally different individuals is definitely a contribution to the development of our fanbase internationally. VCHA consists of members with different backgrounds and cultures, which hopefully people from all over the world see as inspiration! As for being the opening act for TWICE, we’ve been able to travel to different countries and meet so many different people from all over the world! We’re so grateful to be able to meet so many different people from all over, and we can’t wait to continue doing that. 
• Savanna: Speaking on A2K specifically, I think since the audience got to see us from the start of our journey, they got to know us all throughout the process on and off stage, and witness our growth. This led us to build our fan base immediately coming from the show. Going from that all the way to opening for TWICE, our fan base definitely had a huge opportunity to expand through these international performances thankfully to TWICE, ONCE, and everyone that made this opportunity possible. Through these performances, we hope to show a new and improved version of VCHA to our VLIGHTS who have seen us all the way from A2K.

With the release of “Only One” and your upcoming performances, what are your goals for VCHA in 2024? How do you plan to continue making an impact on the global music scene?

• Kendall: I would say VCHA’s goals for 2024 are to continue to grow as much as possible as a group to explore our music style and to be able to put out as much content as we can for our VLIGHTS since they are always supporting us.
• KG: In 2024, we hope as VCHA to keep showing the different sides of us and what we’re capable of with our new music and content. We are also looking forward to hopefully performing and traveling more so we can meet VLIGHTS from all around the world!

Finally, for aspiring artists who look up to VCHA, what advice would you give them for pursuing their dreams in the fiercely competitive world of K-pop?

• Lexi: My piece of advice is to stay true to yourself. As long as you’re confident, true to yourself, kind, and determined, you can do anything! If you truly have a passion for this, then you can achieve anything you work for! 
• Camila: I would say that the most important thing is to follow your passion! You have to love what you’re doing and you have to work hard for it. But I want to put it out there that we are a great example of ‘anything is possible if you set your mind to it.’ No matter where you come from, no matter who you are, if you believe in yourself you can achieve anything. And never forget to act with kindness and love! 

Photo Credit: JYP Entertainment