Inside GIRLSET’s Push to Become K-Pop’s Next Big Western Girl Group — and ‘Slay Together’ With KATSEYE

GIRLSET wants you to know that ­nothing’s over until they say it is.

Ten months ago, news broke of the group’s shake-up: a lawsuit against its label, South Korea’s JYP Entertainment, from a former member, KG, followed by the exit of another, Kaylee, due to health concerns seven months later. But by the end of August, the now four-­member girl group had already redebuted with new music and a new name.

Formerly known as VCHA, GIRLSET is a K-pop rarity: a group that didn’t crumble under pressure but rebuilt itself from within. It’s a story of optimism — and what follows a breaking point in the often unforgiving world of K-pop. GIRLSET’s hiatus would’ve been a death sentence for most groups. Instead, the resilient quartet returned with a renewed love for its craft.

In a plush, dimly lit Hollywood club on a recent Wednesday afternoon, GIRLSET’s members — Kendall, Lexi, Camila and Savanna — are bubbly and noticeably excited to chat about their latest era. There’s a light, airy energy among them.

“I had to keep reminding myself, ‘You’re doing this for you,’” Lexi, 19, says of her experience within the rigid K-pop training system. “Whatever happens, happens. I love what I do and that’s what kept me going.”

VCHA formed in 2023 through the competition show A2K (or America2­Korea), a joint project by JYP Enter­tainment and Republic Records that followed American contestants through multiple rounds of evaluations in Los Angeles and Seoul that summer. Thousands of young girls auditioned, but only 11 trainees made it to the show’s final rounds. JYP Entertainment founder and CEO J.Y. Park envisioned a multicultural girl group that could represent the Western market while undergoing the famously rigorous training of the K-pop system. Having already secured his place among South Korea’s “Big Four” entertainment giants, Park, who this fall was named co-chairman of the Korean government’s presidential committee focused on cultural exchange, wanted to bridge the two pop worlds.

JYP wasn’t the only K-pop company with this goal. As A2K was holding auditions, HYBE and Geffen Records jointly launched The Debut: Dream Academy, another reality show with similar objectives to A2K. The competition yielded a new group, KATSEYE, whose formation was documented in the 2024 series Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. Now, KATSEYE is dominating the pop world: The group received a Grammy nod for best new artist in early November, as well as a best pop duo/group performance nomination for its single “Gabriela,” released in June, which hits a new No. 33 high on the Billboard Hot 100 dated Nov. 15.

GIRLSET’s Camila, a 20-year-old Cuban Canadian, embraced the opportunity to get involved in the K-pop system. “For me, I always wanted to be a singer,” she says of her motivation to audition for A2K. “I loved K-pop and pop groups, but it felt like a faraway dream. So when the opportunity came, I told myself, ‘I’m getting it. I’m going to be in a girl group.’ ”

Kendall, a 19-year-old Vietnamese American who hails from Texas, says auditioning was more about blending her passions than choosing just one. “Back then, I was figuring out my future — college, career — and I loved both singing and dancing,” she says. “But I thought the only place I could do both was Broadway, and that wasn’t what I wanted. So I assumed I’d have to pick one, maybe go into production. Then A2K came along — it was perfect.”

As Kendall, who describes herself as “calm and collected,” explains, “We always say, ‘Everything happens for a reason.’ That’s something we all repeat a lot.”

The four members say they found strength in camaraderie when things got tough during training. Savanna, a 19-year-old Venezuelan Trinbagonian from Florida, recalls that the hardest part of the A2K audition process was “taking it day by day. Growth doesn’t happen overnight. Seeing everyone beside me working hard helped, too. We were all pushing each other.”

VCHA’s initial run was promising. The original six-member act debuted in January 2024 with the single “Girls of the Year,” reached No. 5 on Billboard’s since-discontinued X-based Hot Trending Songs chart with “Y.O.Universe,” opened for JYP powerhouse girl group TWICE on select tour dates and quickly built an international following. However, following a canceled Lollapalooza 2024 debut due to unforeseen circumstances and the imminent departure of two members, things quickly turned — and left fans wondering if the act would continue. But GIRLSET’s drive, and the discipline forged through its members’ auditions and training, became a foundation as the quartet’s world threatened to fall apart.

On Dec. 7, 2024, a lawsuit was filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court by the guardian of then-17-year-old member KG Crown, alleging child neglect, labor exploitation and unfair business practices by JYP USA staff. Two days later, on Dec. 9, JYP USA issued a statement calling the claims “false and exaggerated” — but also suspended VCHA’s activities. The case ignited widespread debate among K-pop fans about the treatment of young artists within the idol system, a topic that continues to dominate social media as the once-niche genre expands globally.

Months later, the group suffered another blow. In July, JYP USA announced that 15-year-old member Kaylee had “mutually agreed to part ways” with the company. Now only four of VCHA’s original six members — Lexi, Camila, Savanna and Kendall — remained.

Many VCHA fans have wondered: Had the girls foreseen the hard times on the horizon? “Some things were unexpected; others weren’t new to us,” Kendall reflects. “We had a lot of intertwined feelings about everything: our journey, our relationships, the past members. But we had each other to rely on.”

All four say they talked through the toughest moments and felt supported by their team at JYP USA and Republic. But they’re still processing the changes to VCHA and the turmoil that followed. “It’s impossible to sit down and explain everything,” Camila says softly before Savanna brightly adds, “But then we found a group in us. It felt right — like this was the moment to truly put ourselves out there as GIRLSET.”

Less than 30 days after Kaylee’s departure, on Aug. 7, VCHA redebuted as GIRLSET under JYP USA and Republic. Its first release as a rebranded act, “Commas,” signaled a confident reset. The fun, stand-alone pop single highlights where the group is heading next, with a girl-crush concept that says, “We’ve been here the whole time. Pay attention.”

While the highly publicized departure of two members might’ve rattled another group’s confidence — and its label’s faith in its future — GIRLSET is digging its heels in.

“When we’re in dance practice, I always have these moments,” says Sheboygan, Wis., native Lexi, her eyes bright. “I’ll stop, look in the mirror and think, ‘Wow — This. Is. Us.’ We’ve come so far. Hearing the sound, seeing how much we’ve evolved — it’s crazy. Every time I look in the mirror, I lock in for 10 seconds and say it out loud: ‘Guys, this is us.’ ”

The rest of the girls smile as she speaks, for these optimistic, supportive moments have become Lexi’s calling card within the group. “It’s easy to forget change when it’s gradual,” Kendall adds. “But when we look back, we see how much we’ve grown.”

JYP Entertainment is confident about GIRLSET’s future as well. “They’ve walked a path no artist has taken before, and we hope this original journey leads them to a new level of success that no artist has achieved before,” the company says.

And in a 2025 pop world where global girl groups — and especially those hailing from the K-pop training system — are hot commodities, GIRLSET may have reemerged at the perfect time. The term “multicultural girl group” has recently become a fixture in industry conversations. Traditionally, K-pop groups comprised East Asian members. The newer multicultural model, however, seeks trainees from diverse national, ethnic and cultural backgrounds. It’s a concept that Park pioneered through A2K — and GIRLSET embodies the promise of that experiment. It knows that “multicultural girl group” has become something of a buzzword, but for the members, it’s a lived reality. They’re deeply proud of representing their own cultures within K-pop.

“I always feel so happy being the representation for Latinas,” Camila says, glowing. “Growing up, seeing Fifth Harmony with Cuban members made me feel like maybe I could also make it. I know there are girls and boys seeing us now and seeing themselves in us. That’s really special.”

Lexi, who is Hmong American, adds, “Being able to bring different communities together is such a great feeling. Everyone loving the same thing — that’s the best part.” As Camila explains, “We want people to see themselves in us. That’s the whole point.”

GIRLSET isn’t alone in that mission — but does the group feel any rivalry with its fellow L.A.-based K-pop-trained peers in KATSEYE? “We’re all just doing our own thing,” Kendall says matter-of-factly. The act is aware of the constant online comparisons between it and KATSEYE but isn’t phased by them. “It shouldn’t be about competition,” Camila says with a smile. “Let’s just slay together.

“It’s amazing seeing so many talented girls from different cultures coming together and making something great,” she adds. “I think what they’re doing is amazing — and they’re super sweet. It’s more about appreciating both [groups]. I think we’re both special in our own ways.”

When it comes to GIRLSET’s place within the larger multicultural group movement, JYP Entertainment says, “The members were born and raised in North America, but they were trained under JYP’s signature training that highlights discipline and artistry. The combination of their cultural diversity and K-pop artistry makes them truly distinctive. For us, GIRLSET isn’t just joining the movement; they’re helping to shape the next era of U.S. pop.

“The goal isn’t just success,” the label adds. “It’s endurance and legacy.”

GIRLSET feels a shared responsibility to represent authenticity in a world that prizes perfection. “We always want to be a group that speaks about real things and be raw and realistic,” Savanna says. “We’re just people with emotions, and I think that’s what we want to be remembered for.”

Of course, being a K-pop act based in L.A. rather than Seoul presents logistical challenges. In Korea, JYP groups have access to fellow idols who can share tips and tricks of the trade, as well as state-of-the-art training facilities, built-in TikTok content buddies and consistent opportunities to sharpen their skills on Korean music shows. K-pop fans have come to love seeing their faves collaborate with other groups, and crossover TikTok dance challenges have become common.

“L.A. is different,” Kendall notes. “There aren’t weekly music shows where idols naturally meet. It’s less accessible, but if it happens, it happens.”

They’ve still found community within the JYP universe. GIRLSET’s members reflect on opening for TWICE in early 2024 with admiration. “Seeing TWICE’s show was inspiring,” Camila recalls. “Lily from NMIXX is really sweet. She’s given advice about this lifestyle and overcoming things.” Kendall adds, “We’ve also talked with [NiziU members] Nina and Rima. Speaking English makes it easier to connect. They’ve been supportive.”

As for their L.A. peers? “Maybe one day,” Kendall says of connecting with KATSEYE. “They’re super talented and sweet; the essence of their group is similar to us — global, representing your culture, bringing something new.”

For GIRLSET, just the opportunity to start fresh means everything. When asked what they want fans to remember most about this new era, the answers come quickly: survival, growth, empowerment.

“We’ve all pushed ourselves individually and become so much stronger as a group,” Savanna says. “Our versatility now — it feels like a power. Seeing our artistry come to life in sessions and performances, it hit me: We’re really transforming now. We’re becoming the artists we were meant to be.”

They’re proud of how far they’ve come — and ready to show it. “This new music era feels a lot like, really, the core of us. The vibe of this comeback is very much our vibe,” Kendall teases. “It’s bold, confident and full of personality. Definitely a new chapter.”

The group’s latest single, “Little Miss,” represents that new chapter. Due Nov. 14, the Y2K-flavored pop track with hip-hop edges and GIRLSET’s signature vocal prowess is the act’s second release since its redebut, and it cements its image as four young artists embracing their power. “The song feels like the core of us,” Kendall says. “It’s really our essence.”

“I think I really value that during this era, we just get to be truly who we are moving forward,” Savanna reflects confidently. “I think that’s something that I appreciate the most about being GIRLSET now.”

And when things get heavy, they lean on each other. “No one else could ever understand us like we do,” Camila says. “We’re living it together.”

This story appears in the Nov. 15, 2025, issue of Billboard.