BB Girls poses for concept photos for its new single "LOVE 2." Courtesy of GLG Entertainment

When K-pop group Brave Girls achieved their breakout hit in 2021 with the four-year-old song "Rollin'," it seemed like the group's career was finally taking off. However, the long-awaited spotlight was short-lived, as the group parted ways with their agency, Brave Entertainment, following the end of their seven-year contract.

The group rebranded itself as BB Girls, signing a deal with Universal Music Korea in 2023. But with Yujeong, one of its members, leaving the group when the Universal contract ended a year later, the four-piece had to undergo a series of changes.

A concept photo of BB Girls' new single "LOVE 2" / Courtesy of GLG Entertainment

A year and a half later, BB Girls is now set to return to the music scene with the new single “LOVE 2,” heralding a fresh start as a trio, with members Minyoung, Yuna and Eunji.

“With things that happened before, I think it became an opportunity for our members to grow closer. And while preparing (for the new release) this time, it seems we've been able to work hard with an atmosphere strengthened by our solidarity,” Minyoung said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Gangnam District, Seoul.

The members shared mixed emotions ahead of their first release since their lineup and company changes.

“We're now making a comeback as a trio. So there's certainly pressure since we've gone from four members to three, but I'm really excited to make a new start with the new company (GLG Entertainment) and can't wait to show our fans good music and great performances,” Yuna said.

The new single, slated to drop on Wednesday at 6 p.m., is a dance-pop track that portrays the excitement and tender emotions of two people falling in love, with the members' sweet and warm vocal melodies. It is produced by Sweetune, who is known for creating hit songs for artists like KARA, INFINITE and Rainbow.

The group explained that although the song is about a romantic relationship, it also captures the members' own story.

“If you look at the lyrics, the story itself expresses the anticipation and excitement of love. But when interpreted from a different perspective, it also shows that the lyrics are about our own story, rather than just being about love,” Minyoung said.

“For example, there's a line that goes ‘Aren't you excited about the story we'll write together?' Since it felt like our story, too, we tried to capture the excitement and new beginning of us three starting fresh in the music video.”

Teaser images of BB Girls' new single "LOVE 2" music video / Courtesy of GLG Entertainment

While BB Girls built their reputation with fast and upbeat summer songs, the group used their new single as an opportunity to showcase a more comforting side of their artistry.

“It's a winter comeback, slated right as we start fresh. We chose a song that can warmly melt away this cold winter, so I hope that when fans listen to this song, they'll feel warmth, some comfort and hope. I'd like them to see us that way,” Eunji said.

“With ‘Rollin',' you think of a refreshing summer image. So, with our new song, I hope it makes people associate us with January winter as well when they listen to it.”

Minyoung added the new song will be easier to listen to compared to the group's previous songs.

“Our previous songs were a bit provocative or bouncy, with very high vocal ranges that had a piercing, clear and sharp vibe to them. This new song has a completely different vibe,” she said.

“We chose this song because we thought it would be more comfortable to listen to and more approachable for people.”

The group, approaching its 10th anniversary, expressed that it still has much more to showcase to its fans.

“Although we talk about it being almost 10 years, we haven't actually been active much. The hiatus took up almost half of it, about five years,” Yuna said. “We haven't shown much yet, and we still have a long way to go, which makes me more excited about the future.”

With the new release, the group hopes to prove they are still strong and active despite the series of issues they had to overcome.

“The news about Brave Girls' disbandment was widely circulated and after that, there weren't many articles about our activities and we weren't able to pick up our act as much … In a way, we consider this album to be our real first start and our proper beginning,” Minyoung said.

“Our biggest goal right now is to show people ‘Oh they're still active and they're actually good.' While there are many sides of ourselves we want to show, right now our primary goal is to demonstrate that we're still here, active and we plan to continue being active in the future."