[Dispatch=Lee Ajin] JYP Entertainment is introducing a new girl group. The team name is 'OURBIRTHDAY'. Following TWICE and NMIXX, it makes its debut as JYP's youngest girl group.

A significant number of the members have already gone through survival programs and stages. There are audition winners among them, and some are idols who have debuted before. They are ahead of other rookies in terms of skill and experience.

The group has also prepared a worldview targeting Gen Z. The team's story began with an animation featuring cute characters that are not the actual members. It is a way to appeal more familiarly to teenagers.

Before their official debut, they are conducting unit activities to appeal to K-pop fans. The team has been divided in two, and they have tackled the same song in different colors. They showcased a wide spectrum from a bright mood to charisma.

Dispatch examined OURBIRTHDAY's member composition, worldview, and pre-debut process ahead of their official debut.

OURBIRTHDAY is a girl group presented by YNIT Entertainment, a subsidiary of JYP Entertainment. It is also the girl group JYP is releasing approximately four years after NMIXX.

The team name carries the aspiration to "gift exciting moments as if every day is a birthday." It is a promise to fill listeners' ordinary daily lives with their own colors.

Before opening the members, the worldview was revealed first. On the 14th of last month, the animation 'WHIP! OURBIRTHDAY!' episode 1 was released. The protagonists are seven cute characters that symbolize the members.

The content is simple and fun. Characters gather one by one to face the villain 'Moomi' who threatens the city. Those who fought with their own strength eventually become one and protect the city together.

The unique approach also sparked speculation about the group's identity. Some even speculated that JYP was preparing its first virtual idol. It was a strategy to generate curiosity among global K-pop fans.

Next, the members were revealed. Talented girls from various Asian countries came together. First, leader Jo Hyejin (18 years old, Korea) went through several survival programs. She gained attention for her powerful waacking on Mnet's 'Street Girls Fighter'.

Later, she won first place on KBS-2TV's 'The Ddan-Dara'. She displayed flashy dance skills and received high praise from judge Park Jin Young at the time, who said "you are so special." She is expected to lead the performance in OURBIRTHDAY as well.

Shin Hyewon (20 years old, Korea) is on her second debut. In her childhood, she was active as 'Rael' in the kids idol group 'Rich Girl'. She later challenged JTBC's 'Are You Next?' as a BeLiefLab trainee.

Yu (17 years old, Japan) is also from a survival show. After appearing on SBS-TV's 'Universe Ticket', she challenged 'The Ddan-Dara'. Handling singing, dancing, and rap, she placed third in the finals.

Achiraya (16 years old, Thailand) trained at Abyss Company. She also appeared on BamBam's Thailand concert stage. Also joining are Guk Choro (21 years old, Korea), Baby (17 years old, Taiwan), and Kirara (15 years old, Japan).

Before showcasing the full group, an additional debut promotion was added. They began pre-debut unit activities. The activity song is 'HUNGRY'. Dynamic progression and energetic melody stand out.

The team was divided into Side A (Jo Hyejin, Achiraya, Baby) and Side B (Shin Hyewon, Guk Choro, Kirara, Yu). They tackled the same song without reorrangement. Side A led with a hip and powerful charm, while Side B emphasized bright and upbeat energy.

It is an idea drawn from OURBIRTHDAY's worldview. Just as the characters in the animation gathered one by one to become seven, the actual members also come together as one team through units. It is a story meant to convey this.

A company official explained, "We considered the most effective way to convey the message of 'a team that is completed together.' In that process, we chose to divide the pre-debut into units and continue releasing the animation in the middle of unit activities."

The official added, "We hoped the public would understand each member's charm more deeply before their full debut. At the same time, we wanted them to experience OURBIRTHDAY's worldview and growth narrative together."

Now the atmosphere is warming up. What remains is the official debut. OURBIRTHDAY will release their first single 'Our Birthday' on the 19th and begin full-fledged debut activities.

The color the complete group will showcase is their own genre 'WHIP-HOP'. It combines the free vibe like whipped cream on a cake, 'WHIPPED' representing the seven members' individuality, and hip-hop performance.

On the 5th, a dance performance video previewing the color of 'WHIP-HOP' was also released in advance. Through group choreography that alternates between sharp movements and fluid flow, the harmony of seven members was foreshadowed.

An official said, "I believe the unit activities sufficiently showcased the team's strength in performance," and added "As a complete group, we will more clearly show the team's identity and performance synergy."

OURBIRTHDAY's story continues after their official debut. It started in animation and unfolded the first narrative through unit activities. Going forward, they plan to expand the worldview through various content and stages.

▲ Jo Hyejin

▲ Shin Hyewon

▲ Yu

▲ Achiraya

▲ Guk Choro

▲ Baby

▲ Kirara

<Photo provided by JYP Entertainment>