Queenz Eye are not here to repeat the past; they’re here to change it. Forget the idea of a simple comeback; the girl group’s latest chapter is a reset, a relaunch, and a statement all at once. Since their debut in 2022 with Yummy Yummy, the group has quickly secured a space in K-pop with their upbeat music and charisma. Now, in 2025, they step forward with a refreshed six-member lineup and a renewed vision, introducing in what they call Season 2.

At the heart are original members Won Chae and Ah Yoon, already celebrated for their vocals and delivery on stage. They are joined by four new talents: Kiirii, Seo Vin, Jin Yul, and Seo Ha, each bringing a fresh spark, from great visuals to diverse vocal colours.

For Won Chae and Ah Yoon, Season 2 came with excitement but also a sense of responsibility. They spoke about how meaningful this new beginning felt – a chance to finally share the stage again while also welcoming the dreams of their new members. Ah Yoon even described it as a weight lifted from her chest, while Won Chae called it a start filled with energy and strength, where no obstacle feels too heavy to overcome.

In our conversation, the new members reflected on late-night talks, rooftop bonding, and even cooking tteokguk together on New Year’s Day as moments that brought them closer together. What began as training turned into sisterhood, and what started as individual dreams slowly merged into a united purpose. By the time they stepped into the studio to record PRISM EP.01, Queenz Eye were already building trust and a new identity together.

Their first mini album, PRISM EP.01, released on August 7th, brings out this spirit of rebirth. From the dynamic title track Feel the Vibe to catchy ACHA!, and the beautiful TRIPPIN‘ (penned by Ah Yoon), the project really shows Queenz Eye’s individuality and what they are capable of, even with the new members. With Season 2, these K-pop butterflies are ready to shine brighter than ever.

While practicing with the new members, I kept thinking that I really wanted to show this new side of Queenz Eye to our fans who’ve been waiting for us, as soon as possible. Seeing how hard all the members worked, I felt like I had great support, so it felt like a weight was lifted off my chest. – Ah Yoon

View of the Arts: Before discussing your new exciting release, I would like to ask Won Chae & Ah Yoon a question. As original members of Queenz Eye, how did it feel stepping into Season 2 with a refreshed lineup?

Won Chae: For Ah Yoon and me, this comeback has been something we’ve waited for a long time, and for the new members, it’s the debut they’ve dreamed of, so it feels like such a precious beginning for all of us. Because it’s so meaningful, we worked really hard to prepare, and maybe that’s why it feels like no matter what comes our way, we can handle it. It’s a start that feels exciting and full of good energy.

Ah Yoon: While practicing with the new members, I kept thinking that I really wanted to show this new side of Queenz Eye to our fans who’ve been waiting for us, as soon as possible. Seeing how hard all the members worked, I felt like I had great support, so it felt like a weight was lifted off my chest.

VOA: Ah Yoon, you contributed your own writing and composition to TRIPPIN’. What inspired the track’s lyrics, and how did it feel sharing such a personal side through your music?

Ah Yoon: When I wrote the lyrics for TRIPPIN’, I focused most on the topic of a new beginning. I wanted to say things like, ‘I won’t care about the past anymore, I found something new, and I’m going to move forward.’ I also like writing lyrics in a very straightforward way, so I wanted the song to feel like I’m asking directly or having a conversation with the listener. I wrote this song hoping my story would really connect with people. Since it’s the first song I’ve taken part in writing and composing, I was really happy that it was going to be released, but at the same time, I also had my anxieties.

VOA: With Queenz Eye returning as a six-member group, how did the bond between members grow during preparations for PRISM EP.01?

Seo Vin: While preparing for our debut, we spent so much time together that we naturally opened up and grew close. During that time, we shared the hard moments and comforted each other, and that made our bond grow deeper and stronger.

Jin Yul: We spent so many days together while preparing for our debut. On New Year’s Day, we cooked tteokguk (Korean rice cake soup) at the dorm, rode bikes along the Han River, and when we got exhausted from practices, we’d go up to the rooftop, look at the night sky and talk about our inner thoughts, and there were a lot of times when we ended up crying and hugging each other. Those memories built up one by one and made us grow closer and build a strong bond!

VOA: How would each of you describe your role or “colour” within Queenz Eye’s Season 2 lineup? Is there someone who’s the most energetic in rehearsals?

Kiirii: Each of us has our own unique color. Won Chae unnie, as our leader, brings us together as one. Ah Yoon unnie is warm and calm, but also has a comforting presence. I’m the one who laughs along and reacts when the members do something funny. Seo Vin is bright and full of energy. Jin Yul is calm but has a hidden playfulness inside. Seo Ha is the very definition of the word ‘maknae.’ During practice, the members with the most energy are Seo Vin, Seo Ha, and Won Chae unnie.

Seo Ha: Won Chae unnie, Seo Vin unnie, and I are usually the ones keeping the energy high. Ah Yoon unnie quietly takes care of the members in the background. Kiirii unnie and Jin Yul unnie keep their energy steady, not too bright and not too subdued. So, especially on site, the three of us (Won Chae unnie, Seo Vin unnie, and I) are full of energy.

VOA: Your new title track Feel the Vibe has such a bright, retro-funk sound. What does the message of “unboxing a forgotten dream” mean to each of you personally?

Won Chae: I’ve been chasing this path since I was young, so I’ve never really forgotten what my dream is. But during the long break, for the first time, my dream felt really distant and faint. Like I’d lost my light. Having debuted before, it was different from the anxiety I felt as a trainee; I think it felt dimmer. Then, while preparing for this comeback, filming the music video, meeting our fans again, and performing on stage for the first time, I felt like I found my light and warmth again. I thought, ‘Ah, this is what it’s been for. This is why I’ve spent all this time, this is what I’ve been racing for.’ It was like the lights turned on and everything in front of me became clear. I think the meaning of these lyrics is exactly that: finding clarity in your purpose, gaining strength and happiness from doing what you love, and learning to love yourself.

Ah Yoon: For me, it felt like the forgotten feeling of excitement came back. I’m so happy and thrilled to be pursuing the same dream again not by myself, but as a group of six. I’m overjoyed to be able to achieve each other’s dreams with the members. 

Kiirii: Sometimes, while chasing my dream, I got so tired that I felt like giving up. But even when that struggle made me forget my dream for a little while, I never let it go, and I never forgot what my dream really is.

Seo Vin: For me, this debut itself felt like ‘unboxing a forgotten dream.’ I started my trainee life for the first time at the age of 19, which isn’t exactly young for an idol. I loved performing since I was little, but I kept it deep in my heart. Before I knew it, I was in high school, and it was time to make real decisions about my future. I thought deeply about what I truly loved and wanted to do, and I became sure that I had to give it a try. That’s when I took my forgotten dream out of the box.

Jin Yul: After my debut was canceled at my previous company, I worked hard in another field, and the dream of being an idol was slowly fading. It was like a box tucked away in my heart. To me, ‘unboxing a forgotten dream’ means that meeting Queenz Eye opened that box again and gave me the chance to share my dream with the world!

Seo Ha: For me, it feels like this is the moment I can finally show and share the talent and charm I’ve kept to myself until now, the parts of me I’d forgotten and hadn’t been able to reveal.

Since this album carries the theme of a new beginning, I hope people can really feel our determination and energy. It’s the kind of feeling like waking up early on a weekend morning, finishing all the things you’ve been putting off, and starting the day feeling fresh and excited! – Won Chae

VOA: ACHA! feels like the perfect summer song. What was the vibe like in the studio recording that track, and do you each have a favourite moment or lyric?

Ah Yoon: What I remember most about recording ACHA! is that the session went really smoothly and finished quickly. The composer gave such clear directions that we were able to get through it fast. This is also a song that Won Chae unnie and I co-wrote, and my favorite part of the lyrics is the line, ‘망설일 필요 없이 자유롭게 춤춰’ (translated to ‘No need to hesitate, just dance freely’ in English) because I think it really captures the song’s free-spirited vibe.

Seo Ha: The vibe in the studio while recording matched the bright mood of the song. For some reason, the energy was higher than on other recording days, and we kept complimenting each other, so it felt really positive and full of energy. My favorite part to record was the chorus. Since it’s the part where we really belt out the lyrics, it felt refreshing, and words like ‘lemonade’ and ‘파도처럼’ (translated to ‘like the waves’ in English) remind me of a summer beach, which is why I loved it so much.

VOA: TRIPPIN’ has that lovely R&B vibe and storytelling. As a track written and composed by Ah Yoon, how did the rest of the members engage with the lyrics and message during the recording process?

Won Chae: I’ve been right there from the first creation of this song, all the way until it was included on the album. Being there with Ah Yoon through the hard times, happy times, and sad times, it feels like the time we’ve grown together is all captured in TRIPPIN’. I hope we can leave those moments in the past with the song’s release and move forward toward new things with excitement. Since the song really reflects our experiences, I could naturally immerse myself one hundred percent in the song without even thinking about the contents. I’m so happy that we were able to release it as a team song, and we were able to record it with a free and lighthearted spirit.

Seo Ha: I tried to connect the lyrics to our debut, our fans who’ve been waiting, and this new beginning, so I could fully immerse myself and express the message. I imagined singing it to our fans who waited for us and the new fans we’ll meet, calmly sharing my story so far and promising a fresh start.

FAN QUESTION: If Queenz Eye were to go on a summer vacation together, who’s most likely to overpack, who plans the whole itinerary, and who just shows up with vibes only? 

Won Chae: I think either Jin Yul, Seo Vin, or I will probably have the most luggage. We tend to enjoy things more spontaneously as a group, so I feel like we’ll focus more on having fun than on strict plans. If I set the overall direction and organize the members’ ideas, I think everyone will quickly help look things up. When it comes to moving around or making reservations, Ah Yoon will probably be the one taking action quickly.

Ah Yoon: The one who’s most likely to overpack is Won Chae unnie, the one who plans the whole itinerary is me, and the one who just shows up with vibes only is Seo Ha. Won Chae has a lot of luggage wherever she goes. And I like to meticulously plan when I go on vacation. And I picked Seo Ha because it seems like she’s got the bright and cheerful type of personality who would just casually get ready to enjoy the moment.

Kiirii: If we went on vacation, I think Jin Yul, me, and Won Chae unnie would just be ready to enjoy and look for fun things. I think Ah Yoon unnie would do all the planning. Seo Vin always packs a lot of things. I think Seo Ha, as the maknae, would have a long list of things she wants to do.

Seo Vin: To be honest, the member who is most likely to overpack is me, Seo Vin. I usually carry a lot of things just in case, so if we go on vacation, that amount would probably double. The member who would probably plan everything is Ah Yoon unnie. Her MBTI type is J, and seeing how quickly she completes any tasks she’s given, I feel like she’d enjoy an efficient trip. And the member who would just bring the vibes, no luggage or plans, is Kiirii. She always finds her own flow in any situation, so I’m sure she’d have a great time even without any preparation.

Jin Yul: I think I would be the member who overpacks the most! I usually carry a lot of stuff, like my bag and a smaller bag full of snacks, and even when we went to Jeju Island for a music video shoot, I think I had the most luggage! The member who would probably plan everything is Ah Yoon unnie. She’s really good at finding information, like the best restaurants or trending spots, and I think she’d make solid plans [laughs]. And the one who would just go with the flow and have fun is Seo Ha! I think she’d happily follow the unnie’s lead wherever we go!

Seo Ha: I think the member who would probably carry the most stuff is Seo Vin unnie, since she seems to bring everything she might possibly need wherever we go. The one who would plan everything is Ah Yoon unnie, the only one with a J MBTI type in our group. And the members who would just come ready to have fun without packing or planning are probably me, Seo Vin unnie, and Won Chae unnie, the most spontaneous ones.

VOA: And just for fun; What’s been your go-to comfort food while working on this release – and what’s one album you’ve had on repeat lately?

Ah Yoon: While preparing for this comeback, the snack we ate most often was protein bars. Since we were following our diets strictly, the snacks we could eat were limited, and protein bars were the easiest and tastiest option. Lately, the album I’ve been listening to on repeat is Tyler, The Creator’s DON’T TAP THE GLASS. I’ve always loved him and his music, and since he released a new album recently, I’ve been playing it a lot.

Jin Yul: While preparing for this comeback, the snack I ate the most was protein bars. On set or while traveling, they’re quick and easy to get protein and energy, so I ended up eating them a lot. There are so many flavors, too, so I like going to Olive Young or convenience stores and trying all the different kinds! Lately, the song I’ve been listening to on repeat is our own ACHA!. Even though it’s our song, it really fits summer, and it’s fun and refreshing, so I never get tired of it. I was listening to it a lot even before it was released, and after the album came out, I put it on repeat on the streaming sites and have been listening nonstop! haha.

VOA: With PRISM EP.01, Queenz Eye officially launches Season 2. What’s the one thing you hope fans – longtime supporters and new listeners – feel after hearing the album?

Won Chae: Since this album carries the theme of a new beginning, I hope people can really feel our determination and energy. It’s the kind of feeling like waking up early on a weekend morning, finishing all the things you’ve been putting off, and starting the day feeling fresh and excited! The songs are overall bright, so I hope they make you feel like you want to start something with us and that you can do anything. I hope it’s an uplifting and cheerful album for everyone.

Also, Ah Yoon and I participated in writing all the lyrics, so I think you can feel the messages and vibe our group wants to convey even more. During our hiatus, we also focused on personal growth, so I think we can show stronger skills and more diverse sides of ourselves. All the effort we’ve put in, waiting for the day we get to meet our fans on stage again, is poured into this album, and I hope that feeling comes across to everyone.

Kiirii: I hope that while listening to this album, you can feel that ‘vibe’ of starting fresh and taking off with us. I hope a lot of people listen to our album, and I hope everyone really enjoys it.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of Big Entertainment

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}