TripleS returns with anthem for girls who doubt themselves

Members of K-pop girl group tripleS pose onstage during a press event at the BlueSquare Theater in Seoul's Yongsan District to commemorate the group's new album release, Monday. Courtesy of Modhaus

K-pop girl group tripleS returned Monday under a whopping full 24-member lineup with an album it hopes will reach every girl who has yet to believe in herself.

Under the new project name ASSEMBLE26, the girl group released "LOVE & POP PT. 1," the first installment of a planned three-part full-group project. All 24 members, donning matching sky blue outfits, appeared a few hours before the 6 p.m. album drop at the BlueSquare Theater in Seoul's Yongsan District to discuss the album and share behind-the-scenes stories.

The members described the album as an anthem for those who have yet to discover or believe in their own potential.

"We were all small girls once," Jiyeon said. "That's why we put extra care and love into preparing this album."

Seoa said the concept represented a departure from the group's previous work.

"Every time we promote, we put everything into it," she said. "But this song's concept shows a more cheerful side of us, which made the members both nervous and excited. That's why we prepared it with even more determination."

K-pop girl group tripleS / Courtesy of Modhaus

The album's title track, "Baby Flower," carries on themes from earlier full-group songs "Girls Never Die" and "Are You Alive," addressing girls navigating the pain of growing up.

"It's a song with a message to girls going through the growing pains of youth," Dahyeon said. "We share that pain, and we want to bloom together like flowers."

Seoyeon said the group hoped its sincerity would reach a wide audience.

"Our message and musical sincerity might feel weighty in today's market," she said. "But we have a deep desire for the earnestness of all 24 of us to reach as many people as possible."

To extend that message beyond Korea, the group filmed the "Baby Flower" music video across four cities — Seoul, Bangkok, Taipei and Tokyo. Japanese member Mayu said filming in Tokyo evoked personal memories.

K-pop girl group tripleS / Courtesy of Modhaus

"We shot at a retro-style cafe, and it reminded me of the times I went there with family and friends when I was young," she said. "Seeing that overlap with the members I work with now made it feel very meaningful."

Thai member Seollin described the Bangkok shoot as feeling like a trip.

"We had a great time and ate delicious food," she said. "It felt like traveling."

The album includes tracks "Sad Girls Schemin'," "Peer," "Type of Girl," "Sleek," "I Like That" and "Me Myself Mode," all woven around the album's central themes of the thoughts, concerns and attitudes of young women today.

Sohyeon said the group was driven by a desire to leave a lasting impression.

"Every promotion feels urgent to us," she said. "This time, we wanted to make our name stick with a song that moves fans' hearts, like 'Girls Never Die' did."

Member Yubin set a clear benchmark for success.

"The best result would be winning No. 1 on music shows," she said. "I'd love to top every music show, perform at year-end stages and win awards."