Key Takeaways

• Group Resilience: GIRLSET overcame significant challenges, including member departures, to successfully redebut.
• New Identity: Formerly known as VCHA, the group embraced a fresh start with a new name and music.
• Empowerment Message: The members emphasize personal growth and empowerment through their experiences in the K-pop industry.
• Cultural Representation: GIRLSET highlights the importance of multicultural representation in K-pop, embodying diverse backgrounds.

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; this topic 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 changes to VCHA and 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; this fun stand-alone pop single highlights where the group is heading next with a girl-crush concept that says “We’ve been here all along; pay attention.”

While highly publicized departures 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 think ‘Wow — This is Us.’ We’ve come so far hearing sound seeing how much we’ve evolved — it’s crazy every time I look in mirror lock in for ten seconds say it out loud ‘Guys this is us.’”

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

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

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

I always feel so happy being 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 boys seeing us now seeing themselves us That really special

Lexi who is Hmong American adds Being able bring different communities together such great feeling Everyone loving same thing that best part As Camila explains We want people see themselves us That whole point

GIRLSET isn’t alone that mission but does group feel any rivalry with fellow L.A.-based K-pop-trained peers KATSEYE Kendall says matter-of-factly Act aware constant online comparisons between it KATSEYE but isn’t phased them It shouldn’t be about competition Camila says smile Let’s just slay together

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

When comes GIRLSET place within larger multicultural group movement JYP Entertainment says Members were born raised North America but trained under JYP signature training highlights discipline artistry Combination their cultural diversity K-pop artistry makes truly distinctive For us GIRLSET isn’t just joining movement they’re helping shape next era U.S pop

The goal isn’t just success label adds It endurance legacy

GIRLSET feels shared responsibility represent authenticity world prizes perfection We always want be group speaks about real things be raw realistic Savanna says We’re just people emotions think that what want remembered for

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

L.A different Kendall notes There aren’t weekly music shows where idols naturally meet less accessible but if happens happens

They’ve still found community within JYP universe GIRLSET members reflect opening TWICE early admiration Seeing TWICE show inspiring Camila recalls Lily NMIXX really sweet She given advice about lifestyle overcoming things Kendall adds We’ve also talked [NiziU members] Nina Rima Speaking English makes easier connect They’ve been supportive

As for their L.A peers Maybe one day Kendall says connecting KATSEYE They’re super talented sweet essence their group similar us global representing culture bringing something new

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

We’ve all pushed ourselves individually become much stronger group Savanna says Our versatility now feels like power Seeing artistry come life sessions performances hit me We’re really transforming now becoming artists we were meant be

They’re proud how far they’ve come ready show it This new music era feels lot like really core us vibe this comeback very much our vibe Kendall teases It bold confident full personality Definitely new chapter

The group latest single Little Miss represents that new chapter Due Nov .14 Y2K-flavored pop track hip-hop edges GIRLSET signature vocal prowess act second release since redebut cements image four young artists embracing power The song feels like core us Kendall says It really our essence

I think really value during this era we just get be truly who we are moving forward Savanna reflects confidently think that something appreciate most about being GIRLSET now

And when things get heavy lean each other Camila says No one else could ever understand us like we do We’re living together

This story appears Nov .15 issue Billboard .

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