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K-pop girl group Kep1er performs “Shooting Star,” the lead single of the group’s new album, “Kep1going On,” during a press event held at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap
‘Girls Planet 999’ project group will continue with lineup change 
By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop girl group Kep1er has released its debut full-length album, signifying the culmination of its two-and-a-half-year journey as a nine-member group. The group is now entering a new phase as a septet, with the majority of its members renewing their contracts.
Kep1er, a project girl group originally formed through Mnet’s 2021 audition program, “Girls Planet 999,” includes members Yujin, Mashiro, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Dayeon, Hikaru, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun and Yeseo.
All members, except Mashiro and Yeseo, recently renewed their contracts with WAKEONE and Swing Entertainment, which have managed the group, signaling a fresh start for Kep1er as a seven-piece act.
This decision has been viewed as groundbreaking, challenging the conventional fate of short-lived project groups formed through local audition programs. Typically, such groups disband after two to three years when members’ contracts expire.
Examples include WANNAONE from Mnet’s “Produce 101 Season 2” and IZ*ONE from “Produce 48,” both of which are now inactive.
From left are Kep1er members Hikaru, Yeseo, Dayeon, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Yujin, Huening Bahiyyih, Youngeun and Mashiro posing at a press event held at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap
At a press event held at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday, Kep1er members expressed their joy at being able to retain the group’s name, while also sharing their sadness about moving forward without two members.
“We’ve talked a lot about our future since last year, and we didn’t want to end the time we’ve spent together,” explained Yujin, Kep1er’s eldest member and leader. “So, most of the members decided to continue under Kep1er’s name.”
Yeseo, who concluded her contract, became emotional while sharing her thoughts about wrapping up her Kep1er journey.
“The time spent with the members as Kep1er has been a cherished memory. Despite any shortcomings, I believe I did my best to build our activities on trust. Even though this chapter has come to a close, I hope you’ll remember us as nine sisters,” Yeseo said.
Mashiro, another member set to leave Kep1er, also expressed her feelings, saying, “I want to wrap up my time as Kep1er on a good note. Please give us your warm attention and love for the upcoming album.”
K-pop girl group Kep1er performs “Shooting Star,” the lead single of the group’s new album, “Kep1going On,” during a press event held at YES24 Live Hall in Seoul’s Gwangjin District, Monday. Yonhap
Building on this momentum, Kep1er released its new album, “Kep1going On,” reflecting on the group’s past activities and marking a new beginning as a seven-member act. “Kep1going On” marks Kep1er’s first full-length album in Korea and its first new release since the “Magic Hour” album last September.
Yujin said the album “commemorates the time spent with fans.”
“This album is very meaningful for both the fans and us,” Yujin said. “It encapsulates our two and a half years of activities as nine members. We’ve put a lot of effort and affection into every song, so we ask for your support.”
The album’s titular track, “Shooting Star,” is a synth-pop genre piece known for its rhythmic drums and electric guitar sounds.
“This song contains the message that not only we but also the fans are stars that shine bright, and we won’t have to fear any darkness as long as we are together on our journey,” Chaehyun said, explaining the poignant message behind the song’s lyrics.
The new album includes nine other tracks of various genres, including “Last Carnival,” “Curious,” “Flowers, Flutter, Your Heart,” “Double Up!,” “PUSH BUTTON,” “PROBLEM,” “Dear Diary,” “Grand Prix” and “Straight Line.”
Concluding the heartfelt event, Yujin revealed the group’s goal for this album.
“As this is the epitome of the growth we have achieved so far as a nine-member group, our goal is to dominate local Top 100 music charts with ‘Shooting Star,'” she said.
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