Seoul: Tuide, a new girl group under Hybe, the company renowned for producing global sensations BTS, launched its debut EP, "Tune and Play," on Monday. The group marks the first girl group debut for Hybe's new label, ABD, and is the company's first girl group in two years following the U.S.-based Katseye.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Tuide is composed of seven members: Seohee, Seoyeon, Elena, Jia, Saki, Seah, and Yi Hani. Notably, Seoyeon is the younger sister of Jihyo from the popular girl group TWICE. During a media showcase held in Seoul, the group's leader Seohee revealed that the name Tuide is inspired by the phrase "Tune the tide," highlighting their aim to "harmonize the diverse flows of the world to create our own joyful flow."
Seoyeon introduced the group's distinctive musical style, "Soultronic," a blend of soul music's warm sensibility and electronic music's sleek sounds. She described it as having a charm that encourages continuous listening and rhythmic movement. The members, born between 2006 and 2011, hail from different cultural backgrounds, including South Korea, the United States, Britain, and Japan, which adds to their unique appeal.
The group emphasized their "Soultronic" style as a defining feature that sets them apart from existing groups. Jia noted that while the genres of the five tracks on their debut album vary, they all exude a bright, energetic, yet relaxed vibe, embodying Tuide's unique style. The EP, "Tune and Play," includes tracks like "ABD," "Sun Kiss," "Echo," "Flip-flop Girl," and "Grls."
Jia highlighted "Sun Kiss" as the lead single that best represents the group's distinct color and the individual charms of the members. The song conveys a free and pleasant energy akin to being under the sunlight, encouraging listeners to trust their own voice and emotions. The choreography for "Sun Kiss" is designed to project lively energy, with Seoyeon explaining that the performance showcases movements that mirror the joy of playing freely under the sun.
As they embark on their debut activities, Tuide expressed a strong desire for recognition and success. "Our first goal is for many people to remember and recognize the name Tuide," Jia stated, with hopes of receiving positive reviews and earning a Rookie of the Year award.