SEE YA
The girl group SEE YA, composed of KIM Yeonji, LEE Boram, and NAM Gyuri under MBK ENTERTAINMENT, is making a grand return to the stage to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
The artists are back with the track “그럼에도 우린”, a single marking the group’s milestone anniversary. KSTATION TV met the group during a press interview alongside numerous other media outlets to discuss this long-awaited comeback, fifteen years after their last official activities. Six years ago, the trio briefly reunited for a television program, stirring strong emotions among fans who were delighted to see a group that had left such a mark on the late 2000s music scene.
The interview began with a preview of “그럼에도 우린”, a soft and captivating ballad that highlights the singers’ crystal-clear vocals. Returning after so many years is naturally a source of stress for the members, but they are also eager to share their voices with fans once again, as this song is especially dedicated to them.
The members expressed their happiness at reuniting and creating new memories together, emphasizing the hard work that went into this comeback. Returning after a fifteen-year hiatus was a real challenge, and they spared no effort in crafting this special track, which they hope will leave a lasting impression. They also took the opportunity to apologize to their fans for such a long wait, a thought that stayed with them throughout the recording process.
Above all, however, they feel joy, describing the experience simply as: “This is SEE YA.” Realizing they would reunite and reconnect with their fans moved them deeply, even bringing them to tears during recording. During their hiatus, they witnessed the world evolve and gained a deeper understanding of concepts they hadn’t fully grasped at debut, particularly love. While SEE YA built its identity on songs about love, it was a feeling they had not yet fully experienced at the time. Now, with maturity, they better understand their own music and were able to express deeper emotions in this new release.
“This song encapsulates SEE YA’s story and emotions. It’s more than just an anniversary track.”
— Producer PARK GEUNTAE
The group expressed gratitude for the team that supported them in preparing this comeback, as well as for creating such a touching song, with particular attention paid to the lyrics written by the singers. To prepare and better convey the emotions behind this return, they also spent time watching performances on YouTube, drawing inspiration from other artists and motivating themselves to deliver a deeply emotional single. Every photo, video, performance, and recording they have created, and will create, represents meaningful moments that define SEE YA’s identity.
This long hiatus is not seen negatively but rather as formative, giving the three artists time to grow, mature, and become the women and performers they are today. Sharing their story with both longtime fans and new audiences is now one of their main goals, and they hope this new release, and those to come, will reach even more listeners.
Last year, GYURI realized the group was approaching its nineteenth anniversary and felt it was important to do something special for their twentieth. She reached out to the other members and suggested meeting over a meal to discuss releasing a new album. Despite not being in frequent contact before, the three quickly reconnected and expressed their excitement about making music together again. During their time apart, they also explored new paths, such as YEONJI, who participated in musical theater productions.
“I think Boram has grown into a singer who can convey deep emotions through her voice.” – YEONJI
When they reunited, they reflected on the different paths they had taken, from musical theater to experimenting with various genres such as trot, a traditional Korean style that remains popular today. Their hiatus was not a complete break from music, but rather a pause from group activities. It was reassuring for each of them to see that the others had continued to live fulfilling and happy lives.
However, challenges did arise. YEONJI, in particular, underwent surgery for cysts on her vocal cords, an especially difficult experience. Fortunately, she was surrounded by specialists and loved ones. Still, she went through a period of fearing she might never sing the same way again, especially as discussions about a comeback had already begun. The other members supported her throughout this ordeal, something she remains deeply grateful for.
Returning to their new track “그럼에도 우린”, the group explained that they chose it as the representative song for their twentieth anniversary because of its heartfelt lyrics, which they wanted to dedicate to their fans. Through working together on this comeback, they gained strength and came to the realization that they are strongest as SEE YA.
“It would be a lie to say there were no pressures.” — GYURI
A journalist pointed out that for a group bridging the first and second generations of K-pop, making a comeback after such a long hiatus in today’s globalized and stylistically different K-pop landscape represents a major challenge. The members acknowledged that current trends lean heavily toward upbeat pop music with striking visuals. However, they deliberately chose not to follow these trends, instead staying true to their musical identity and focusing on soft melodies that can transcend time and resonate across generations.
For them, music must be diverse to reach different audiences. Even if their songs do not appeal to everyone, touching even a small number of listeners through their lyrics and melodies would already be a success. Their goal is not grandeur, but emotion. Despite two decades since their debut, SEE YA remains a well-known and even “legendary” group whose songs are still listened to today.
What stands out most to them is how quickly SEE YA was originally formed, almost unexpectedly, in just two months. At a time when trainees now spend years preparing, GYURI revealed she learned she would debut only twenty days after beginning training. The fact that they were able to build such a lasting career with so little preparation feels almost extraordinary to them.
“We poured everything we’ve held inside for the past twenty years into this song. During recording, we couldn’t help but cry. We sincerely hope our feelings reach the fans who have waited so long.” — SEE YA
During their hiatus, they heard fans express frustration at the lack of new music, as the group was ultimately active for only five years. To celebrate their reunion, SEE YA has decided to hold their very first fanmeeting. They hope to use this opportunity to share all the words and emotions they couldn’t express during their break, aiming to connect deeply with their fans this year.
The members hope fans will be just as happy to see them again as they are to return. While this moment may seem fleeting, the three artists expressed their desire to stay together for as long as possible, ending the interview with hopeful words for SEE YA’s long-term future.
The single “그럼에도 우린” serves as a preview, as a full album is scheduled for release in May, expected to include around ten tracks, something sure to delight longtime fans.
The words of our reporter: “Seeing a group return to the spotlight after so many years brings hope for other forgotten groups who, like SEE YA, undoubtedly still have many fans waiting for them. Best of luck to the members on their comeback!”
Journalist : Pillet Anaïs
Photos : MBK Entertainment
Source : KSTATION TV
