TripleS returns with full 24-member lineup in unit-driven album 'Beyond Beauty'

Xinyu, Yooyeon, Mayu, Chaewon, Chaeyeon and Hyerin of tripleS Sun unit perform “Bubble Gum Girl” at BlueSquare SOL Travel Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap

With a record-breaking lineup of 24 members, K-pop girl group tripleS returned to the scene Monday with its new album, "Beyond Beauty," introducing four new subunits into the spotlight at once. The units, themed around the "powers of the universe" — Moon, Sun, Neptune and Zenith — pursue four distinct sounds and concepts within a single release.

The group's defining system remains unchanged: Global fans determine both the member lineup for each promotion cycle and lead tracks for albums by voting on the group's exclusive COSMO app. Depending on the results, only a handful of members or the entire roster may take the stage, turning the group's massive size into a flexible format.

This time, voters selected an all-member promotion under the name tripleS msnz, reflecting their intro track, "Magic Shine New Zone." Within that umbrella, each six-member subunit will run its own track and concept in parallel.

Moon brings together Sullin, Jiyeon, Sohyun, Kaede, Shion and Lynn; and the Sun unit consists of Xinyu, Yooyeon, Mayu, Chaewon, Chaeyeon and Hyerin. Neptune includes Seoyeon, Dahyun, Nakyoung, Nien, Kotone and Seoah; and Zenith features Hayeon, Yeonji, Jiwoo, Yubin, Joobin and Soomin.

Seoyeon, Dahyun, Nakyoung, Nien, Kotone and Seoah of tripleS subunit Neptune perform "Fly Up" at the group's press event at BlueSquare SOL Travel Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

"I'm just so happy that we get to show every side of all of us through this promotion," said Xinyu from the Sun unit during a media showcase held hours before the Monday release. "And it's especially exciting that we get to express the cutesy concept that is unique to our unit."

Jiwoo from the Zenith subunit pushed that excitement further, adding, "Since each unit has its own track, the album's quality is really strong. Visually, too, we prepared a wide range of concepts, so it'll be really fun to watch."

"Beyond Beauty" opens with the dreamy "Magic Shine New Zone" before branching into the four unit singles. Neptune's "Fly Up" heads in with explosive nu-disco energy and an addictive hook that reinforces its theme of rising up without hesitation.

Moon's "Cameo Love" leans into heartbreak and restraint, capturing a one-sided romance that never quite reaches the spotlight through its driving beat and wistful melody.

Hayeon, Yeonji, Jiwou, Yubin, Joobin and Soomin of the tripleS subunit Zenith perform “Q&A” at BlueSquare SOL Travel Hall in Seoul's Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap

Sun's "Bubble Gum Girl" is the warmest and most nostalgic of the four, wrapped in bright retro textures made to spark instant joy, while Zenith's "Q&A" delivers the most wide-eyed narrative of the set, tracing the rush and confusion of first love.

A final turn brings the entire 24-member roster together for "Christmas Alone," a winter single that fuses electropop with Jersey club elements and conveys the message that solitude during the holidays does not mean a lack of joy.

"We'll kick off the year-end season by promoting 'Christmas Alone' with all members first," Sohyun said. "After that, each unit will appear on weekly music shows in turn. You'll be able to see everyone, so please look forward to it."

Sullin, Jiyeon, Sohyun, Kaede, Shion and Lynn of tripleS unit Moon perform “Cameo Love” during the group’s media showcase at BlueSquare SOL Travel Hall in Yongsan District, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap

Asked about the unavoidable comparisons that come with unit-based promotions, Sohyun kept the energy positive.

"There's no way to avoid competition between units, but we want to make it something healthy, where everyone grows together," she said.

Seoyeon echoed the sentiment.

"We know the challenge isn't easy, but making it onto local music charts is always a goal for us," she said. "With so many members, it's natural that differences in recognition happen, but we want to keep showing a wide variety of albums and reach the public with each of our individual charms."