As the only girl group to debut under YG Entertainment in recent years, BABYMONSTER carried a weight on their shoulders that would crush most rookies. Instead, these young women have turned that pressure into power. Fresh off releasing their 2nd MINI ALBUM “WE GO UP”, the members reflect on their meteoric rise, the lyrics that shaped them, and their unwavering determination to honour the legacy left by their predecessors while forging their own path.
From left, on PHARITA: dress, Balenciaga. On RUKA: blazer, shirt, pants, earrings and neck-tie, all Balenciaga. On ASA: dress, Balenciaga. On CHIQUITA: dress and earrings, all Balenciaga. On RORA: coat, shirt, pants and neck-tie, all Balenciaga. On AHYEON: dress, Balenciaga.
“We are the MONSTERS, Get ready here we come.” When RUKA delivered this line from the intro track of their first mini album, it was more than just a lyric—it was a battle cry against all the expectations that had been placed on the young group even before their debut. One that screamed: we will prove them wrong. BABYMONSTER’s name itself tells their story: “BABY” representing the boundless potential of youth, “MONSTER” signifying the fierce, almost supernatural talent that courses through their performances. It’s a duality they’ve embraced completely. BABYMONSTER is a group that refuses to be boxed in, whether by genre, expectation, or the shadow of their predecessors. They’re here to be monsters on their own terms, and the world is listening. And so they proudly declare in their latest title track: “You ain’t never seen the typa show we boutta show ya.”
Jewellery, all FRED. Wardrobe: Markgong (RUKA, ASA, CHIQUITA and PHARITA), Chloé (RORA), Tod's (AHYEON).
Is there a specific lyric or line from one of your songs that holds a special meaning for you personally?
RUKA: A line that’s especially meaningful to me is from “MONSTERS (Intro)”. – “We are the MONSTERS, Get ready here we come”. It was included in our first mini album, alongside our debut track “SHEESH”. I chose it because it truly feels like a declaration of who we are, almost like introducing ourselves to the world with confidence. I think this line perfectly captures our determination to make BABYMONSTER known.
PHARITA: “DREAM” was actually recorded before our debut, and my favourite line is “I’m getting stronger”. In many ways, it reflects my own journey. I’m always trying to grow and improve, and now, as we approach our second anniversary, I genuinely feel stronger.
ASA: For me, it’s the phrase “BABY I’mma MONSTER”. It appears in many of our songs almost like a signature. Whenever that line comes in, I feel our identity as BABYMONSTER becomes even clearer. It carries our group name and has such a powerful energy.
AHYEON: The lyric I chose is “L.O.V.E, L.O.V.E, Like scattered puzzle pieces, The words I’ve kept inside my mouth, Now, I want to say them out loud”. Love isn’t just one emotion; it’s layered and complicated. It’s hard to define it in just one way, especially when you’re experiencing a one-sided love. I feel like this lyric beautifully expresses those tangled, delicate emotions.
RORA: The line that means the most to me is “So listen up, everybody, Volume up Move on. We are the Monsters of the world”. It feels bold and empowering. Whenever I hear it, I feel proud of who we are and the energy we bring.
CHIQUITA: A lyric that holds special meaning for me is “DREAM”. The song reflects our journey of chasing our dreams and believing in ourselves, even during difficult times. It reminds us why we started, and it encourages us to keep moving forward together.
Among BABYMONSTER’s own tracks, which song would each member recommend to MONSTIEZ? Why did you choose it?
RUKA: I would recommend “WE GO UP”. It’s one of our strongest tracks, and just like the title suggests, it carries the spirit of always striving higher. I especially recommend watching it with the music video because you can really see each member’s unique charm.
PHARITA: I recommend “SUPA DUPA LUV”. It’s one of my personal favorites and shows another side of BABYMONSTER; something playful and different from what people might expect.
ASA: I’d recommend “CLIK CLAK”. It’s especially powerful on stage – very hip, very energetic – and the outro really showcases another side of our charisma. I hope MONSTIEZ can feel energized and excited whenever they listen to it.
AHYEON: I’d love to recommend “Really Like You”. Thanks to MONSTIEZ’s love and support, the song climbed back up the charts, which made it even more meaningful. Each member’s voice captures the fluttering emotions of having a crush. Whenever I listen to it, or perform it, it still makes my heart race.
RORA: I recommend “WILD”. It’s upbeat and refreshing; the kind of song you can enjoy anytime, anywhere.
CHIQUITA: I would recommend “SHEESH”. It shows BABYMONSTER’s strong energy and confidence, and we feel it represents our identity as a team. It’s a song that gives excitement and strength to MONSTIEZ.
What was the most memorable or impactful moment from your first world tour?
RUKA: The most unforgettable moment was the very beginning of our first world tour. We opened in Korea, and when I stood on the lift and saw the audience looking up at us with such warmth and excitement, I felt deeply moved. It was an emotion I had never experienced before; something I’ll never forget.
PHARITA: The most memorable part was meeting MONSTIEZ around the world. Hearing their cheers and feeling their love firsthand was truly the best experience for me.
ASA: For me, it was our very first concert in Seoul. Preparing for a world tour felt completely different – there was a mix of excitement and nervousness I had never experienced before. Because it was our first, I wanted to show the best version of myself, which led me to reflect a lot and push myself harder. Right before going on stage, I was incredibly nervous, but the moment I heard the fans cheering, all that tension disappeared. That feeling is something I’ll always carry with me.
AHYEON: During our Asia tour, there was a time when CHIQUITA wasn’t feeling well. After the show, she was completely exhausted, but on stage, she gave everything she had as both a member and an artist. Watching her perform with that level of dedication, despite how tired she was, left a deep impression on me. In that moment, she wasn’t just the youngest member; she looked like someone truly born to sing and dance.
RORA: When we first rose up on the lift and heard MONSTIEZ screaming for us, it was such a thrilling and unforgettable moment.
CHIQUITA: The most memorable moment was hearing fans sing along with us in different countries. Seeing MONSTIEZ from all over the world supporting us made us realize how powerful music is and how grateful we are for their love.
Force 10 Rise earrings in white gold with diamonds, Force 10 Rise ring in rose gold with diamonds, Force 10 Rise ring in white gold with diamonds and Force 10 bracelet in white gold with diamonds, all FRED. Bodysuit, shorts and belts, all Markgong.
What goals do you hope to achieve in 2026, and are there any resolutions you’ve made as a team?
RUKA: I hope we can continue promoting healthily and happily. Our goal is to show a more mature side of ourselves and keep growing step by step.
PHARITA: In 2026, we hope to maintain our momentum and give our fans the best experience possible. I hope everyone continues to enjoy our music.
ASA: I hope we can introduce BABYMONSTER to even more people around the world. I’d love to visit more countries and meet MONSTIEZ we haven’t met yet. As a team, we don’t want to stay comfortable; we want to grow musically and performance-wise and continue showing new sides of ourselves.
AHYEON: Over the past two years, we’ve never expected success to come all at once. This year as well, I hope we can move forward calmly without being swayed by every result. Since we’ll have many chances to meet fans, we want to make every stage unforgettable, to make sure their time with us is truly worth it.
RORA: I hope we have more opportunities to meet MONSTIEZ and that we can enjoy every moment while always giving our best. I also hope each member can achieve their personal goals this year!
CHIQUITA: In 2026, our goal is to continue growing as artists and individuals. We want to show more diverse music and performances while staying true to who we are. As a team, we promise to support one another and always give our best to MONSTIEZ.
Force 10 Rise earcuff in white gold with diamonds, Force 10 earring in white gold with diamonds, Force 10 Rise necklace in white gold with diamonds, Force 10 Rise necklace in rose gold with diamonds and Force 10 ring in yellow gold with diamonds, all FRED. Bustier, Markgong.
What’s the most surprising or unexpected place you’ve found inspiration?
RUKA: What surprised me the most is how many people from so many different countries support us. It’s truly unexpected and such an honor. Thank you!
What was the most memorable moment for you while preparing for an album or performance?
PHARITA: While preparing albums and performances, the most memorable moments are when our ideas are reflected in the final outcome – whether it’s in a photoshoot, a song arrangement, or even small gestures on stage. Seeing our creative input come to life is always special.
Force 10 earrings in rose gold with diamonds, Force 10 Rise ring in rose gold with diamonds, Force 10 necklace in rose gold with diamonds and Force 10 bracelet in yellow gold with diamonds, all FRED. Dress, Chloé.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced since your debut, and how did you overcome it?
ASA: The biggest challenge since debut has been performing in front of large audiences. Although performing is part of being an artist, facing that reality felt overwhelming at first. I always wanted to do better and live up to expectations, which sometimes led to self-doubt.
But over time, I realised that what truly matters isn’t perfection; it’s sharing the moment with the audience. Instead of focusing only on “doing well,” I try to make eye contact and breathe together with the crowd.
I also talk a lot with my members about our performances. We support each other, and I believe we’re still growing through those challenges.
What’s the next genre you want to attempt? Is there a particular message or theme you’d like to explore in your music that you haven’t yet?
AHYEON: During our recent fan concert tour, many fans mentioned they would love to hear us cover songs in different languages. If given the opportunity, I would love to prepare something special for them, even as a one-time project. Rather than focusing on a specific genre, I think the genre our fans wish to hear becomes the genre I want to try. Ultimately, it’s about sharing music that connects with them.
What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had with MONSTIEZ?
RORA: One of the most unforgettable moments is seeing MONSTIEZ enjoying the concert with their whole hearts and bodies. Performing while watching them sing and dance along is one of the happiest feelings I’ve ever experienced.
What’s a lesser-known hobby or interest that you have that fans might not know about?
CHIQUITA: A hobby that fans might not know about, although some may already know, is collecting figures. I love collecting designer toys and blind box figures because they’re cute and unique. Opening them always feels exciting. It makes me happy and helps me relax.
Editor
Kaitlyn Lai
