Mar 25, 2026 9:00am IST
K-Pop Girl Group Billlie Talks About The Challenges in The Current Music Market, Their Idols 2NE1 And Indian Music (EXCLUSIVE)
Korean girl group, Billlie made its debut in November 2021. Earlier known as Mystic Rookies, Billlie is a seven-member girl group belonging to the 4th generation. It is known for its experimental music that blends alternative funk-pop, synth-wave, and R&B. They released their song, “cloud palace,” earlier this year. In a chat with Variety India, the members of Billlie got candid about their idols in K-Pop and what they thought about Indian music.
In the current music market, what is the biggest challenge for K-Pop idols and groups?
HARAM: We’re living in a time where a great amount of music and content is released all at once, so I think our biggest challenge is consistently presenting our own color and story within that flow. We constantly reflect on what kind of music only Billlie can create and what emotions we truly want to convey. That’s why we’re striving to connect with listeners more honestly and authentically.
MOON SUA: With the speed at which content is consumed today, it feels increasingly difficult to remain a team that stays in the public’s memory. Rather than chasing trends, we’re focusing on preserving our own color and narrative while finding ways to naturally reach more people. I believe the most important thing is maintaining a strong sense of our identity while continuing to reveal diverse sides of ourselves.
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How was the experience of working on your song, ‘cloud palace’?
SIYOON: While working on “Cloud Palace,” I felt that it was, overall, a deeply emotional journey. Since the song is all about looking inwards, I focused heavily on the emotional lines during recording and paid close attention to small details like the timing for breathing. It wasn’t a fully heavy process, though. Sharing ideas with the members and gradually hearing the song take shape was actually both fun and meaningful. As the final chapter of the ‘Palace’ trilogy, it’s a project I feel especially attached to.
HARUNA: From the first listen through the recording process, we had many conversations about how to express the dreamy atmosphere and delicate emotions that “Cloud Palace” carries. It was also memorable how we explored different interpretations and moods through two mixed versions. I needed some time to fully understand the emotions the song evokes because it explores discovering one’s true self, but that made the whole process even more interesting.
K-Pop is a lot about visuals....do you feel at times, it undermines the value of music and the effort that goes into music production?
SUHYEON: In K-pop, first impressions often carry significant weight, so visuals sometimes receive attention first. But for us, visuals are one way to make the message of a song clearer. Ultimately, they are a tool to better convey the music itself. Billlie always places music at the center and carefully considers the concept and visuals that can express music most effectively. We believe that what lasts in people’s memories is the music, and that other elements exist to support it.
SHEON: I also think visuals are an important part of K-pop. In many ways, they can help communicate the atmosphere or concept of the music more clearly. With each album, we build the storytelling, sound, and emotional flow together, and all elements are organically connected from the visuals to the music. So even if people are first drawn in by the visuals, I believe that attention can naturally lead them to the music.
Who are your idols from the Korean pop music industry? Do you have any Western artists who inspire you a lot?
MOON SUA: I truly admire 2NE1. Their energy and confidence on the stage, along with their fearless musical attitude that is never confined to a single frame, have always felt incredibly powerful to me. Beyond just being cool, what impressed me most was how each member had such a distinct individuality, yet together they created a strong, unified impact as a team. They’re a group Billlie aspires to resemble in that way.
HARAM: I’ve always been a big fan of Jorja Smith, so if I ever get the chance, I would truly love to collaborate with her. I’ve always been impressed by how she expresses deep, rich emotions through modern sounds. The way she conveys emotions through music is so delicate that it naturally draws you in every time you listen. If we were to work together, I think the difference in our emotional tones and sensibilities could actually create an even more special synergy, which makes the idea so exciting to me.
Have you ever listened to Indian music? Would you like to do a concert in India if given an opportunity?
TSUKI: I find the distinctive rhythms and melodic lines of Indian music incredibly impressive. There’s something very captivating about the way traditional elements blend seamlessly with modern sounds. If given the opportunity, we would love to meet Indian fans in person, communicate with them, and truly enjoy the moment together. I think being able to share each other’s cultures through music is something really meaningful.
SUHYEON: The rhythms and vocal expressions in Indian music feel very unique and stimulating every time I listen. I’m still learning about it, but I’m especially struck by how traditional colors coexist with contemporary elements. If we ever have the chance, we’d love to perform in India, experience the local music culture firsthand, and share emotions and energy with Indian fans through Billlie’s stage. I think meeting fans in a new environment would also become a great source of inspiration for us.
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