If you’re looking for the song of the summer, look no further. SAY MY NAME are ready to wrap up this hot season with a final flash-in-the-pan song that is cheerful, familiar, and bubbly.
Being a fairly large girl group, SAY MY NAME consists of members HITOMI, SHUIE, MEI, KANNY, DOHEE, JUNHWI, SEUNGJOO and SOHA under iNKODE that debuted in 2024. After a year of refreshing concepts and showcasing their charms, the international K-pop group has come together to deliver a hit song that is an instant earworm titled “iLy.”
The catchy song delivers a festive tune that mimics the famous melody of “I Love You” by Frankie Valli. The familiar beat fused with a K-pop spin makes it an instant hit, and it is entertaining to see K-pop dabbling deeper into musicality by exploring old hits and history.
The lovely girls of SAY MY NAME shared their thoughts on creating the track, their success as a girl group thus far, and their future plans. Before doing that, they also greeted ZAPZEE viewers in an exclusive video message that you won’t want to miss. Take a moment to learn more about the charming girl group SAY MY NAME in this exclusive interview.
Q. SAYMYNAME debuted a year ago but has become quite popular. How does this success feel to you one year after your debut?
HITOMI: I feel like time goes by so fast that I can’t believe it’s already been a year. Looking back, every day was very precious, and there was a lot we learned. Through that experience, the team’s consistency has increased, our dreams and goals have become clearer, and the overall mindset of always staying humble while achieving has become stronger.
DOHEE: I can’t believe it’s already been a year. I think I’ve changed my mind a lot over the past year. I want to work harder and grow even more.
Q. The group has members from Thailand, China, and Japan. What have been some unique experiences about learning Korean or sharing your cultures with each other?
SHUIE: There were differences and similarities I often felt, but I really enjoyed the process of learning one by one. I really want to share more of my culture with everyone.
MEI: I didn’t feel much of a cultural difference, but I realized how important it was to understand each other while living together in a group.
KANNY: I found out for the first time that there is a culture in Korea where people don’t use the expression “I love you” very often. I always say “I love you” to my close friends because I always love them and want to be with them, but I’m not sure if it’s okay to say this in a comfortable way in Korea yet.
Q. Tell us about your debut concept. Has the group image changed a lot with your new comeback? Is there a style the girls are still eager to try?
SOHA: We started with a cute and fresh look when we debuted, and I think we were able to show our fresh and cool charms in this comeback, too. Of course, I’ll work hard to show fans more new sides in the future.
DOHEE: We were cute and lovely like kittens when we debuted. I think we were able to show the charm of a cat that grew a little bit more with this comeback. I really want to try out the style of a cool adult cat in the future.
Q. SAYMYNAME’s summer comeback song “iLy” has become such a hit – what do you think made this song so successful?
JUNHWI: The charm of “iLy” is that it’s our cool and atmospheric voice that’s perfect for summer. There are so many cute points in the dance, so if you look for them one by one, you’ll have a lot of fun.
SEUNGJOO: The song “iLy” interpolates world-famous songs so that anyone can listen to them. The melody is exciting enough to make your body flutter. Combined with our unique charms, the song is full of summer vibes, alongside bouncy and lively charms.
Q. Do you think SAYMYNAME can become the new SISTAR and create summer anthems every year?
MEI: I think we’ll be able to do it. I want to grow into a group that can deliver fresh and cool songs every year.
SHUIE: I want to deliver refreshing energy to many people every summer. So I think I’d be really happy if we were remembered as “SAY MY NAME – a group that comes to mind when it comes to summer.”
Q. If possible, would the group ever want to perform at WATERBOMB, or is there another stage they want to appear on?
KANNY: I really want to be on any summer festival stage. We will show fans a special and cool performance of SAY MY NAME so that Summer reminds fans of us.
JUNHWI: Of course, I want to attend summer stages like WATERBOMB too. I want to perform and play in something like a cool water park.
Q. Are there any K-Dramas the members are watching lately?
SOHA: I don’t have a lot of time to watch dramas, but there’s a drama I definitely want to watch. It’s My Lovely Journal, and I think I’m more affectionate towards the show because we participated in the OST.
SEUNGJOO: I usually really like dramas, so I watch most of the popular ones these days. Recently, I enjoyed watching Head over Heels, and it was especially memorable because the actors’ acting was so well conveyed.
Did you enjoy the interview so far? ZAPZEE was able to hear so many fun and interesting answers from the members of SAY MY NAME. However, when it came down to their fans LOVvmE, it seems the girls had endless things to say. See their special messages to fans.
HITOMI: To our LOVvmE, it’s already been a year since we met. Thank you for always being there and loving me generously. I am happy every day because of you all. Let’s continue to make more beautiful and special memories together.
SHUIE: LOVvmE, we are finally wrapping up the first promotion of “iLy”. I was worried a lot about how things would be before starting the promotion, but I was able to end the promotion happily as I felt a warm embrace surround me. I also felt my shortcomings during this promotion, but I will work hard to repay you all with a better performance in the next comeback. Don’t forget us and see you again soon. I hope LOVvmE will always be healthy and happy even when we can’t meet. Thank you so much!
MEI: LOVvmE, LOVvmE, It’s already been a year since we were together. Time flies so fast. I want to show LOVvmE greater performances in the future, so SAY MY NAME will grow and prepare more pretty and wonderful performances. Let’s make many good memories together in the future. Thank you so much for always loving and supporting us generously, and I love you all.
KANNY: LOVvmE, thank you so much for always looking so pretty and loving us. We will try to grow more and present more smiles on the stage in the future. I love you all so much.
SOHA: I love you always LOVvmE! Let’s always be happy together.
DOHEE: LOVvmE, thank you so much for always loving me warmly. I will try to be with you forever and become an artist you can be proud of. I love you.
JUNHWI: Thank you so much for loving our fresh summer single, “iLy”. We will continue to work hard and shine brilliantly for LOVvmE. Thank you always.
SEUNGJOO: LOVvmE, thank you so much for always supporting and loving us endlessly. Let’s be together forever and ever! Take care of your health, and I love you so much, too.
In the end, the girls of SAY MY NAME have endless affection for their fans, LOVvmE. It is easy to see that the girls want to work hard to not only improve as artists but to also satisfy their loyal fans. With the end of the year coming to a close, SAY MY NAME plans to make a fun comeback as soon as next year rolls around.
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Are you excited to see more from the loving girl group SAY MY NAME? Be sure to follow them on social media like Instagram and Twitter and don’t forget to follow ZAPZEE as well to stay tuned for more updates and read more exclusive interviews.
