Crayon Pop returns sans helmets

Five-member girl band Crayon Pop performs “Doo Doom Chit” from their latest album “Evolution Pop — Vol.1” during a showcase at YES24 MUV Hall in western Seoul, Friday. / Yonhap

By Park Jae-hyuk

K-pop girl group Crayon Pop released their new double-CD album “Evolution pop ― Vol.1,” Monday, after a year and a half on hiatus. It is the first full-length release for the fivesome, who’ve only released mini-albums and singles since their 2012 debut.

The first CD of the album introduces eight new songs and the second CD has seven of their old hits, including the group’s breakthrough single, “Bar Bar Bar.”

The new album was created on a “do-it-yourself” basis, as each member was charged with one task in making the album.

Way helped compose the first track “Vroom Vroom” and Soyul designed the logo and liner notes. Other members also participated in promoting, marketing and designing the costumes.

The main track “Doo Doom Chit” is a retro disco number that blends ‘90s melodies and current club beats. Its title refers to a popular new emoticon depicting a dance motion. Crayon Pop adopted the motion for their performance.

“I hope more fans dance to our song,” said Choa during last week’s press conference at YES24 MUV Hall near Hongik University in western Seoul. “I am sure everyone can easily imitate our dance, regardless of age.”

Crayon Pop rose to stardom as the 2013 hit “Bar Bar Bar,” recorded at an abandoned amusement park in eastern Seoul, was parodied by many fans around the world. Their unique outfits with helmets and simple dance moves attracted countless imitators.

“Bar Bar Bar” shot Crayon Pop to the top of Billboard's K-Pop Hot 100 and earned the group a New Rising Star at the Golden Disk Awards, a Hot Trend Award at the MelOn Music Awards and Best New Female Artist at the Mnet Asian Music Awards.

After the huge popularity of “Bar Bar Bar,” the group was slow coming up with a worthy follow-up and was regarded as a one-hit wonder.

“I do not expect Doo Doom Chit to surpass the popularity of Bar Bar Bar,” said Soyul. “So many fans still remember us with our helmets and now it is our goal to be loved without helmets.”

She added that Crayon Pop hopes their new stage costume, red boot-cut trousers, become the new hot fashion.

The seventh track “Sketch Book,” which refers to their fan club’s name, was composed to express gratitude to their fans. “This song contains lyrics from our former songs ― Bar Bar Bar, Bing Bing and Lonely Christmas,” said Geummi.

“Everything was renewed to change their helmeted image,” said an official at Crayon Pop’s agency Chrome Entertainment. “This includes the part distribution, as Ellin returned as a rapper.”

Crayon Pop will introduce their new song on SBS MTV's “The Show,” Tuesday.