As 'Summer Comes,' OH MY GIRL makes much-awaited comeback

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

Entertainment & Arts

Sat, December 9, 2023 | 08:53

K-pop

As 'Summer Comes,' OH MY GIRL makes much-awaited comeback

Posted : 2023-07-25 15:34

Updated : 2023-07-26 11:39

K-pop act OH MY GIRL performs its new song, "Summer Comes" during a press event at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Monday. Courtesy of WM Entertainment

OH MY GIRL releases 9th mini-album, 'Golden Hourglass'

By Dong Sun-hwa

From "Dolphin" (2020) to "Dun Dun Dance" (2021), summer bangers by K-pop act OH MY GIRL have never failed to impress its fans and the public. To extend its winning streak, the group rolled out a new song titled, "Summer Comes" on Monday, the lead single off its ninth mini-album, "Golden Hourglass."

"To date, we have never really described our tunes as summer songs, but 'Summer Comes' sounds pretty obvious from the title," member Mimi said during a press event at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul, Monday. "It has a cool and refreshing vibe that goes well with any season. It will remind people of summer even when it's spring or winter."

Seunghee said, "We spent much time figuring out what kind of music people were expecting to hear from us. We had to decide whether we would release dreamy, sentimental songs or bright summer anthems."

OH MY GIRL opted for the latter this time, but YooA added that its mini-album also offers an ethereal track like "Celebrate."

"A dreamlike vibe is a big part of OH MY GIRL's musical style, and 'Celebrate' has successfully captured it," she explained. "I think people will be able to witness our musical growth with this tune."

It has taken OH MY GIRL more than a year to put out "Golden Hourglass" following the release of "Real Love" in 2022. "Golden Hourglass" is also its first mini-album after member Jiho quit the act last year.

"There was a slight change to our membership, so we felt a sense of responsibility that we should fill the void," Seunghee revealed. "We needed more courage as well, but this actually bound us more tightly to each other."

In addition to "Summer Comes" and "Celebrate," the "Golden Hourglass" EP also carries four other tracks including the addictive "My Type" and the vibrant "Miracle." Among them, "Miracle" is a song dedicated to the group's fans, which was first unveiled in April in celebration of the eighth anniversary of its debut. "Miracle" is also the name of the group's global fandom.

"It is the first time that all of us have participated in penning lyrics for our song," Hyojung noted. "Each member wrote her own lyrics and then we brought all of them together. Through this work, we could realize that we have been sharing the same feelings over the past few years."

OH MY GIRL members are actively expanding their presence in fields other than music too, with Mimi appearing on cable network tvN's popular variety show, "Earth Arcade" and Arin on several TV series including "Alchemy of Souls."

"I want to thank people for supporting and loving me," Mimi said. "I am showcasing my different sides as a singer and a TV personality, but that's all me."

Arin added, "I am grateful that I have experienced and learned many new things. Since we know that our followers have been looking forward to our comeback, we want to repay them with our music."

sunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr