K-Pop group FIFTY FIFTY details new sound, creative process and affection for the public
K-Pop group FIFTY FIFTY took a step forward in their career with the release of their third mini-album, Day & Night. The project marks a creative shift for the quintet, now composed of Keena, Hana, Yewon, Chanelle and Athena. In an exclusive interview with Quem, the members talked about the new concept and the affection of their international fans.
The girl group, which originally had four members, underwent a major overhaul in 2023, after the departure of Saena, Aran and Sio. With the new lineup, FIFTY FIFTY opens a new chapter in their trajectory.
The EP Day & Night consists of six tracks: Pookie, ADONIS, Work of Art, Perfect Crime, Heartbreak and Midnight Special. Before the official release of the album, the group released Perfect Crime as the first single of 2025. The track, which delves into a mysterious and enigmatic concept, marked a turning point in the musical identity of the quintet.
“Perfect Crime is our first digital single of the year. It shows this mysterious side of FIFTY FIFTY, a concept that is new to the public. That’s why it’s a very meaningful track for us. It represents those repressed emotions that we all feel and brings this more enigmatic mood. That’s what inspired the song,” says Hana in a video call.
Since its debut in November 2022, FIFTY FIFTY has stood out for creating songs that touch fans around the world. Regarding this reception, Yewon is grateful: “It’s amazing to see the diversity of positive reactions. We are very happy and surprised to realize that our songs really touch people in different parts of the world. It motivates us to work even harder. The support and positive messages are very important to us. Comments like ‘we can’t wait to see the new concept of FIFTY FIFTY’ excite us and make us even more eager to show what we are capable of.”
With that in mind, Day & Night was created to accompany listeners from dawn to dawn, with songs designed for different moments. “Our intention was to show many different sides of the group and offer very diverse songs that our fans can listen to at any time of the day. As you said, it’s day & night — so, for example, if you wake up and want a song to cheer you up, we have tracks like that. And we also have calmer songs, perfect for listening to while driving at dusk. The idea was to create something that you could leave on repeat for 24 hours,” explains Chanelle.
The group’s vocal harmonies have become a trademark, and for good reason. “We care a lot about our vocals, so we always prepare well before recording. We’re always warming up our voices in the car! And our connection as a group is essential. We have a team shout that we do before any important moment — that’s how we lift the spirits and get into the right vibe,” mentions Keena.
LISTEN TO THE NEW TRACK:
Contrast of the new EP:
Split between “Day” and “Night”, the album also reflects different sides of the members. Keena, Chanelle and Athena identify more with the night, while Yewon and Hana are team day. The diversity of styles and emotions led to personal discoveries.
“We experimented with a lot of different styles during this process, and I think the biggest thing we realized was: ‘Wow, we can do so much more than we imagined.’ As we tested these different concepts and challenged ourselves, our confidence grew. We are always practicing and improving in different areas, and this showed us what we are really capable of,” reflects Athena.
“We all love challenging ourselves and trying new things. So with this album, there was never a dull moment. Everything was very new and fun for us — overall, it was a really fun experience,” adds Hana.
And when asked about her favorite song, Keena doesn’t hesitate: “I love all six songs — they’re all very special to me. But if I had to pick one, it would be “Heartbreak.” It’s a track that conveys a lot of sincerity, like we’re speaking directly as ourselves, but through music. So it’s more personal and intimate for us. Especially in the rap part, there are a lot of sensitive emotions involved, which required a lot of practice and concentration. I really wanted to make sure that this message was conveyed in the right way to TWENY (fandom name).”
In 2024, FIFTY FIFTY went on a sold-out US tour, an experience that has remained etched in the group’s memory. “We traveled to different cities and in some ways it felt like everything was repeating itself — always playing shows — but every time we met our fans, it was all over again. There was a moment when everyone turned on their phone lights and cheered us on with loud cheers. It was such a memorable moment that we just can’t forget it,” Yewon recalls.
With the release of Day & Night, FIFTY FIFTY has new plans for 2025, which involve both artistic growth and connecting with fans. “I think our biggest goal is to meet as many fans as possible — our TWENY — whether in person, on stage or through our music. We are always thinking about them. But, as we can’t always be everywhere at the same time, we want to continue building our musical repertoire and, who knows, in the future, turn this into a new tour next year. For now, we are very focused on music, but we definitely want to meet our fans around the world — that’s one of our big dreams”, explains Chanelle.
