[Dispatch=Reporter Yuha] 'ABD' (HYBE)'s first girl group, 'TUIDE', has been unveiled to the world. Seven girls of different nationalities and ages took the stage under one name.
There are no survival show contestants, nor members from reality shows. Unfamiliar faces knocked on the K-pop door with music, performance, and individuality alone.
TUIDE's performance is refreshing from the start. Rather than conforming to a predetermined format, each member freely expresses their energy. It resembles a surfer riding across churning waves.
'Dispatch' examined TUIDE's birth process and the seven members' individual charms.
◆ The Flow of Seven
TUIDE's name is derived from 'Tune the Tide.' It carries the meaning of 'tuning the flow.' The members aspire to experience and tune the world's diverse flows to create new enjoyment.
The group consists of seven members total: Seohee (born 2006), Seoyeon (born 2008), Elena (born 2008), Gia (born 2008), Saki (born 2010), Seah (born 2011), and Lee Haneui (born 2011).
Their nationalities and cultural backgrounds are diverse. Members rooted in South Korea, the United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom came together. With differing backgrounds, their vocal and performance styles and images are each distinctive.
Notably, this difference was not erased. Members were not forced into a single standardized image. The focus was on clearly bringing out each member's individual atmosphere.
An ABD official stated, "We wanted to take the harmony created when different charms come together as the team's color," and pointed out that reactions like 'they look like models' and 'unconventional visuals' are also TUIDE's unique strengths.
◆ The Individuality of Seven
Each of the seven members has a distinct color. Seohee (19, South Korea) possesses both delicacy and strength simultaneously. An ABD official recalled, "From the first impression, her eager eyes and ambitious spirit were evident. She handled everything meticulously without being careless."
Seoyeon (18, South Korea) has bright energy as her weapon. She handles both charm and coolness broadly. The company side reminisced, "During trainee days, seeing her expressions and energy at the showcase, everyone thought she was an 'essential member.'"
Elena (18, United States) began as already 'a trainee who sang well.' Nevertheless, she showed noticeable growth at every evaluation. Soft tone and delicate expressiveness are her strengths. She stands out in genres like R&B where vocal texture and nuance are important.
Gia (18, Korean-American) joined the team latest. She had to synchronize with the other members in a short time. She absorbed far more assignment songs and raised her skills accordingly. Now she stably handles vocals, rap, and performance.
Saki (15, Japan) stands out for her relaxed dance lines. Her neutral vocal tone and dense vocalization are also strengths. ABD noted, "She did not overlook even the smallest pronunciation and repeatedly corrected it," and evaluated her as "a member who completes whatever she feels is lacking."
Seah (15, South Korea) has growth potential as her weapon. With high concentration and overwhelming practice volume, she rapidly improved her skills. An official said, "At some point she began naturally expressing her own energy," and stated "she proved her presence through the perseverance to ultimately accomplish it."
Youngest member Lee Haneui (15, Korean-British) captures attention with her strong individuality. She is proactive enough to suggest musical expressions she wants to try first. The company noted, "She captivated attention from the first monthly evaluation. A member with a distinct personal texture," they pointed out.
◆ The Tuning of Seven
TUIDE was born by tuning seven different colors. The key was not uniformity. It was a process of preserving members' differences while making them read as one team when standing together.
Training also stemmed from the same philosophy. The focus was on members recognizing the necessity themselves and actively practicing. The ability to reflect on oneself naturally led to understanding other members.
As a multinational group, communication was an important axis. ABD noted, "In vocal and language education as well, we made connection and communication between members an important point and structured the curriculum around it."
TUIDE repeated the process of observing and giving feedback on each other's dancing. Even though each danced in different styles, when seven came together, one complete picture had to be formed. Members understood each other's movements and synchronized.
An official stated, "Diversity is an opportunity to view familiar methods differently and attempt new expressions," and disclosed "rather than adopting a specific style as is, we thought importantly about what new impression would appear when combined."
◆ The Growth of Seven
The result is the debut title track 'SUN KISS.' It naturally captures the members' bright and healthy energy. It is a song that balances the vitality of when seven come together.
Individuality emerged more clearly in performance. TUIDE expressed the same movements each in different styles. They mixed multiple genres as well. R&B, house, and UK garage were connected into one.
The company confirmed members' growth in that process. An official praised, "When 'SUN KISS' had its first lesson, all members' abilities had greatly improved. It felt like discovering sparkling gems."
The B-side track 'GIRLS' focused more on individual capability. Members, either individually or in pairs, are responsible for specific parts. More time was allocated to individual parts compared to typical K-pop performance. This structure was to sufficiently showcase each member's dancing and energy.
"It was possible because there was deep trust in each member's individual abilities. We showed each member's strengths without reserve, stepping outside the frame. As each member's charm was displayed lengthily on stage, 'GIRLS'' immersion was completed." (ABD)
◆ The Beginning of Seven
TUIDE confirmed potential before debut. Interest poured in on various content including 'Meet My Girls, TUIDE.' ABD noted, "Many people warmly received TUIDE's first greeting."
Now, they have stepped onto the official starting line. TUIDE released their mini first album 'TUNE & PLAY' on the 24th. That day, all tracks from the debut album entered Melon's 'Hot 100' (within 30 days of release).
TUIDE's goal is clear. To maintain each member's individual color while creating greater synergy through different charms coming together. They dream of a team that becomes clearer when all seven come together.
Finally, an ABD official cheered on the members' beginning.
"Like the team name, I hope they don't lose their individual personalities. I hope they become artists who bring new enjoyment to the public through the harmonious energy of seven members."
▲ Seohee
▲ Seoyeon
▲ Elena
▲ Gia
▲ Saki
▲ Seah
▲ Lee Haneui
<Photo Source=ABD (HIVE), Dispatch DB>
