[Exclusive Interview] Meet A2O MAY: The Rookie Girl Group Destined to Make an Unforgettable Mark on the Industry

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Get to know rookie girl group A2O MAY in this exclusive interview.

A2O MAY is a powerhouse rookie girl group poised to take the music industry by storm. Comprising five exceptionally talented members—CHENYU (16), SHIJIE (17), QUCHANG (17), MICHE (19), and KAT (19)—this group is the very definition of raw potential and artistry. Under the guidance of Soo Man Lee, the legendary producer behind some of the biggest stars in K-pop, A2O MAY has all the makings of the next global sensation. With Lee’s expert touch, known for shaping some of the most successful acts in the industry, A2O MAY is destined for greatness. Their multifaceted talents—spanning singing, dancing, and charisma—make them a group to watch as they quickly climb into the hearts and minds of fans across the global music scene.

What sets A2O MAY apart is not only their impressive skills but also their innovative approach to music. As pioneers of A2O’s “Zalpha Pop,” a new musical culture, they blend modern sounds with timeless appeal. Their debut track, “Under My Skin (A2O),” is a testament to their artistry, fusing infectious vocals with a laid-back yet powerful groove. Gen 2 K-Pop fans may recognize the backbeat of their debut track—an homage to a classic—but we won’t spoil it because it’s truly a must-listen song and must-watch music video. As multilingual singers, A2O MAY is positioning itself as a true global star, able to connect with fans worldwide. A2O MAY isn’t just a group to follow—they are the future. Their diverse talents and potential for global influence make them a must-watch in the coming years.

In this exclusive interview, A2O MAY opens up about their journey from trainees to rookies. They share their excitement, the challenges they’ve faced, and what it’s like to be part of a group with such immense potential. With talent this powerful and a vision this bold, A2O MAY will leave an unforgettable mark on the industry. As they gear up for their upcoming performance at WANGO TANGO in Los Angeles, fans are in for a special look at how A2O MAY is ready to conquer the global stage and make their presence known.

Hellokpop: Hi A2O May! Thank you for speaking to Hellokpop. Can you introduce yourselves, describe your role in the group, and tell a fun fact about yourself?

SHIJIE: Hello!! My name is Shijie, ‘Li’ is my family name, and ‘Shi’ means poetry in Chinese. My parents chose it because they wanted me to be as elegant and beautiful as poetry. And ‘Jie’ means pure. A fun fact about me is that I have been dancing contemporary dance for many years, and I also play a little piano. I’m a dancer, singer, and a rapper.

CHENYU: Hi, my name is Chenyu! Going off of Shijie’s fun fact about her name, here’s mine! ‘Chen’ means sunrise and ‘yu’ means “give you”. My parents named me that because they thought I was a present to them, but now I hope to be the present to our fans. I’m an all-rounder, but my deep voice is definitely my standout strength.

QUCHANG: Hi everyone, my name is Quchang! My parents named me after the phrase ‘Xiao Qu Tian Tian Chang,’ which literally means ‘sing songs’ in Chinese. Kind of crazy, right? They just knew I’d be this passionate about singing since I was born!

MICHE: Hey! It’s Miche! My real name is Michelle, but Mr. Lee suggested the name “MICHE” without the l’s and e’s so that it would stand out more like a blooming flower. Fun fact, I have a twin sister who’s also in A2O MAY! I love performing, whether it’s rapping, dancing, or singing. Any one of those makes me feel so alive! I want to show my passion and my character to you guys through every performance and stage from now on.

KAT: Hello everyone, I’m Kat – the younger twin of this dynamic duo! Just like Miche, my name is a short and unique version of Katherine, but don’t get us mixed up! Miche parts her hair to the right, while mine sweeps to the left. And if you need another clue, I’ve got a little beauty mark on my chin. A fun fact? Miche and I were born in the beautiful islands of Hawaii! People say I live up to my name because just like a cat, I’m curious, bold, and always landing on my feet, especially when performing! Whether it’s rapping, dancing, or singing, I will always do my best and maybe bring a bit of feline flair to A2O MAY. You could say I’ve got nine lives on stage and am ready to make every moment count!

SHIJIE

HKP: You’ve debuted under A2O as the first team to release music. How does that feel, and what’s the significance of being the first representatives of A2O’s ‘Zalpha Pop’?

SHIJIE: It’s definitely a really exciting feeling! We are so honored to be able to be at the forefront of ‘Zalpha Pop’. For those of you who aren’t familiar with it, we define our music as ‘Zalpha Pop’ because many of us are Gen Z and Gen Alpha. I heard Gen Z is from the late 1990s to early 2010s, while Gen Alpha is from early 2010s to around now. The music that we release on the A2O Channel is all what we consider our Era’s pop, or Zalpha Pop! It’s a sound that will truly fit our generation.

HKP: Your debut song, ‘Under My Skin (A2O),’ has a unique sound with a heavy drum groove and minimal synth. What inspired this song, and how did you contribute to bringing it to life?

CHENYU: “Under My Skin” was first released in 2008 by German artist Sarah Connor. Around that same time actually, Mr. Lee released it under a different title, “Mirotic,” for TVXQ, in Korea, in full Korean!

MICHE: In Korea and Japan, this song (“Mirotic”) is known for topping the charts and taking first place that year. It’s a really famous song in Asia, and many girl groups have actually covered “Mirotic” too, since then.

QUCHANG: We did a performance cover for the song (“Mirotic”) in front of Mr. Lee. After we finished, he said, “Wow, this is the first time I felt the same energy I did with TVXQ’s performance, in a girls’ performance!” He talked about how he saw other girl groups covering this song before, and felt they were weak. But he saw the same, strong aura that the original song carried in A2O MAY, and that we could all speak and pronounce English so well, that’s how we ended up with “Under My Skin” as our debut song!

MICHE

HKP: If you could describe A2O MAY’s music in three words, what would they be?

KAT: Addictive, electrifying, and unforgettable. Once you hear it, it lives under your skin—literally!

HKP: You’ve been described as “blossoming like May flowers.” How does this imagery reflect the group’s growth and your musical journey?

SHIJIE: May is the season when flowers bloom at their best, and our journey as A2O MAY embodies that symbolism. This is our first step into a new challenge—our very first bloom, just like a flower. We’re ready to grow, flourish, and show the world our full potential!

HKP: As the first group from the A2O Rookies division, how has your journey been so far? What challenges have you faced, and what moments have been the most rewarding?

QUCHANG: One of the biggest challenges we faced was during our training. The process was a mix of emotions—exciting, exhausting, and at times even frustrating because we pushed ourselves to be the best we could be. But looking back, that journey was also the most rewarding part. Growing alongside my girls and seeing how much we improved together is what brought us here today.

QUCHANG

HKP: Each member has a different set of talents. Could you share with us something unique that each of you brings to the group—whether it’s a skill, personality trait, charm, or something unexpected?

SHIJIE: I’m the organized one in the group! I like keeping track of everything and making sure the girls stay on top of things too.

CHENYU: As the youngest, I’m the little sister of A2O MAY! My role is to bring the cute and playful energy to the group.

QUCHANG: I’d say I’m the fun one—whenever things get too serious, I’m there to lighten the mood!

MICHE: I’m all about the details. I make sure everything is just right and exactly the way it should be. Details make a difference and perfection. On the other hand, I love to send text messages to my girls with hugs and kisses to let them know that they are the best young ladies and that I’m always here for them!

KAT: And I’m the spontaneous one! I bring the energy and excitement wherever I can. I also love encouraging my members to trust themselves and be confident in their abilities. Seeing them grow and shine makes everything worthwhile!

HKP: Your music has elements of both vocal performance and dynamic dance. How do you prepare for both aspects of your performances?

CHENYU: Preparing for both vocals and dance takes a lot of dedication, but it’s what we love! We focus on building stamina through intense training—practicing choreography over and over while singing to make sure we can deliver strong performances without losing energy. Most importantly, we support each other and keep the energy fun. When we enjoy the process, the performance shines even more!

KAT

HKP: Music videos and stage performances require a lot of preparation. What behind-the-scenes moment stands out to you from filming or rehearsing for your debut?

MICHE: One of the most unforgettable moments from our debut was filming the music video. Seeing our hard work come to life was surreal! There was a scene where we had to stay serious, but the moment the director called “cut,” we couldn’t stop giggling from excitement. Moments like that remind us that while we work hard, we also get to enjoy this journey together!

HKP: Can you walk us through your process leading up to a performance? What’s the most important thing you focus on during rehearsals, and how do you keep the energy high and nerves low before stepping on stage?

KAT: Leading up to a performance, we go through a full run of the set to make sure everything feels natural—vocals, choreography, and stage presence. During rehearsals, our primary focus is syncing with each other and making sure we bring the right energy to the song. Before the actual performance, we do a team huddle, take deep breaths, and hype each other up. The excitement can be overwhelming, but we remind ourselves to have fun and enjoy the moment.

HKP: What motivates you to keep improving and pushing the limits of your skills in both music and dance?

SHIJIE: What drives us the most is our love for music and performing. Knowing that our songs can connect with people and make an impact pushes us to keep improving. We also inspire each other. Seeing how hard every member works motivates us to give our best, both individually and as a group.

QUCHANG: Our fans are a huge part of that motivation too. Their support and excitement remind us why we do this, and we want to keep growing so we can share even more music and moments with them in the future.

CHENYU

HKP: If you could experiment with a completely different musical style for a future track, what genre would you want to try, and why?

CHENYU: Since Zalpha Pop is a genre-bending style, our music allows us to explore and experiment with different sounds. We’re always open to exploring fresh influences and unexpected elements that bring out new sides of our music. As long as it connects with our energy and message, we’re excited to keep evolving!

HKP: You’ll be performing at WANGO TANGO in Los Angeles on May 10th! What can fans look forward to from your performance?

SHIJIE: Yes, we’ll be performing at Wango Tango this year with KIIS FM! First, we want to thank KIIS FM for this incredible opportunity, it truly means so much to us. And to our fans, this will be our first time performing on stage for our American fans, which makes it even more special. We’re working hard to give the best performance and are full of energy, so stay excited!

HKP: If you could switch talents or roles with one of the other members for a day, who would it be and why?

KAT: Oh, I’d love to answer this one! Obviously, I’d swap with Miche. Our personalities and talents complement each other so well, so getting to be Miche for a day would feel like having the best of both worlds!

HKP: Finally, please leave a message for fans reading this.

MICHE: Thank you so much for taking the time to get to know us a little better, it really means so much to us. We can’t wait to share more of our journey with you guys through our music and performances. We’ll be arriving on the ‘May’ flower, see you soon everyone!