When you listen to music you used to listen to, you realize that time has become but a memory. STAYC, too, have such a time that now stays with them in their memory: when they were trainees, known as Highup girls, awaiting their debut. We asked for their thoughts on the title song and lead single from their new album, STEREOTYPE, as well as recommendations for the songs that they used to listen to from artists who started before them. Those songs were their consolation after a hard day, a lullaby before bed or a pressed flower or leaf keeping place between the pages of a book.

STEREOTYPE by STAYC

Sumin: This song helped boost my spirits because we got it when we were trainees and COVID-19 was getting worse. It was a tough time for everyone, but the feeling of the song and its lyrics were positive. I hope that we can get our message about “tinted glasses” out to many people and that they can find some comfort from it at the same time. The song goes well with self-esteem, confidence and all words about positivity, so I hope people show it a lot of love! We can’t judge a book by its cover and know everything about somebody’s life, so we shouldn’t be quick to judge and should be able to love people for the way they are. Since we’re the ones who sing the song, we’ll try our best to see the world around us with our “tinted glasses” off, too. And I hope that everyone who looks at themselves through “tinted glasses” won’t be hard on themselves and love themselves instead. I mean, loving yourself is the hardest. And I hope everyone will love “STEREOTYPE,” too.

Sieun: “STEREOTYPE” means a lot to me because we quickly practiced it and recorded it before our debut, when we were still trainees. Each of our vocals are more developed than back then, our “teen fresh” concept is clearer than on the previous album, and most importantly, it has the socially conscious message of not to be prejudiced. I hope listening to “STEREOTYPE” gives people a chance to think over the prejudices and stereotypes in the world. Also, make sure you don’t miss the choreography for the “Don't look with your tinted glasses on / Oh baby baby baby” part when you’re watching!

ISA: I actually have a special kind of love for “STEREOTYPE.” When we were promoting “ASAP,” I said to our producer, “I’ve been thinking about that song ‘STEREOTYPE’ we got before a lot lately. It’s perfect for this weather.” And that was good timing, because strangely enough, it became the next song we promoted. When we were promoting the second album, I thought that song was just good for that weather, but listening to it now, I think it works well in any season, so I recommend that anyone who likes music listen to it.

Seeun: “STEREOTYPE” was the first song we got when we were trainees. The road ahead of me as a trainee was still uncertain and there were a lot of tough days. I listened to that song whenever I was having a hard time, but then I mostly forgot about what was bothering me, maybe because the song’s so cheery. So I want to comfort listeners by playing them this song and showing them our lively energy. And I hope people pick up on the message contained in the song.

Yoon: When I first heard the song, I was like, Hmm … Oh … Huh? First it was, Hmm … nice, then I thought, Oh, that’s great! Huh? … I can’t stop thinking about it! That’s how “STEREOTYPE” snuck up on me. (laughs) And, just like it says right in the chorus about not wearing “tinted glasses,” the song has a message that we should break away from stereotypes and prejudices against ourselves, and consider people’s inner thoughts and true feelings instead of just judging them on their appearances. Please show a lot of love for our new song, “STEREOTYPE,” and listen to it again and again! 💚💚

J: When I heard this song before we debuted, it just sounded like a cute song, but all of our vocals sound stronger now so you’ll probably be able to sense the teen fresh in our confident, youthful energy! I’m really looking forward to promoting this song. There’s lots of parts where the members look each other in the eyes while dancing, whether we’re doing the choreography in pairs or otherwise. I think the song starts off with a ton of happiness, fun and energy! Maybe that’s the reason why, in all the new songs, our unique chemistry comes across so well. So I think SWITH will really like this song!

The Wave by Apink

Sumin: It’s a fan song from Apink to their fans, PANDA. I listened to that song all the time whenever I felt exhausted or needed support. The lyrics say “I can do it” and that made me feel a lot better. I kept listening to this song after debuting and thought of SWITH. I chose this song because I hope lots of people will listen to it and feel supported and feel hope for their future. The song’s lyrics are really pretty, too, and Park Chorong helped write them! The song is from 2016 and it marked the fifth anniversary of Apink’s debut. We hope our group keeps going a really, really long time like theirs, and I also really want to make a fan song. That song’s great to listen to before you fall asleep. I recommend listening to it right when you get into bed at the end of the day.

Star Star Star by Girls’ Generation

Sieun: I’ve been a big fan of Girls’ Generation ever since I dreamed of becoming a singer when I was young, and even now that I am one they’re still my role model as far as groups go. I was thinking about which song to choose and I decided to choose a hidden masterpiece that I want more people to know about rather than a song that everybody already knows. “Star Star Star” is the eighth track off Oh!, their second album, and it’s this amazing ballad with emotional lyrics and a poetic melody. I first heard the song without any video, but after I found a live video of it later on I liked it even better. I think it’s a good song to listen to when you need a pick-me-up, or when you’re taking a walk at night, or just before going to bed. 😊

Shadow by f(x)

ISA: The song got me excited right from the intro, like I traveled to a fairytale world, and I liked it right away because it felt special how the song had a distinctive way of unfolding. I feel like it’d be good to give it a listen when you want to feel like a child or like you’re having a relaxing weekend lunch!

The fifth season (SSFWL) by OH MY GIRL

Seeun: I love OH MY GIRL and this song is especially well suited to every season. It makes me feel better whenever I listen to it, so I wanted to share that feeling with other people. Every song by OH MY GIRL made me feel better. With there being so many difficult days lately, I wanted to recommend this song, and I hope we can be a group like OH MY GIRL that gives support and consolation to many people.

Abracadabra by YooA

Yoon: I listened to the songs off YooA’s Bon Voyage album so much when I was a trainee. You’ve probably already heard the title song, “Bon voyage,” a lot, so I recommend my personal favorite, “Abracadabra”! Once you hear the song’s catchy lyrics and melody where it says “abracadabra,” you won’t be able to get it out of your head. It’s really memorable, the way she becomes aware that she’s in a dream, and she’s having a lucid dream, thinking, I want to enjoy this dream. I want to have this lucid dream again. The song gives you a chance to hear YooA’s dreamy vocals, so make sure to listen to it a lot. 💚

Lion Heart by Girls’ Generation

J: I love Girls’ Generation, and that’s my favorite of all their songs. (laughs) For some reason, when I think of autumn, it’s the song that comes to mind. It makes me feel good? How about we listen to “Lion Heart” and feel sentimental in autumn?