‘YG Girl Group’ BABYMONSTER Shouts Their Confidence Toward Flight, ‘WE GO UP’
[스포츠서울=함상범 기자] They show no hesitation. No fear. BABYMONSTER has even broken the so-called “YG-style inertia,” boldly declaring their ascent toward the next chapter of K-pop. Their latest release is shaking the landscape of the K-pop scene with the overwhelming momentum that defies the norms of a rookie group just one year after debut.
BABYMONSTER released their 2nd mini album ‘WE GO UP’ at 1 p.m. on October 10. The album feels like a declaration of their arrival as true “game changers,” reflecting their relentless growth since debut and hinting at their ambition to flip the K-pop scene upside down. Immediately after release, ‘WE GO UP’ entered Melon’s Hot 100 chart, proving the powerful support of their domestic fanbase.
ASA shared, “I went back and forth between excitement and nerves while preparing for this album. I’m really curious to see how people will feel when they listen.” AHYEON added, “I love that some of my favorite tracks are included. I can’t wait to see how people react to the stages we’ll perform.”
The title track ‘WE GO UP’ follows the familiar YG hip-hop blueprint but breaks away from the label’s traditionally dark, heavy sound. Its brass-driven intro instantly grabs the ear, but instead of leaning on destruction and gloom, the song maximizes a bright, rhythmical drive. It’s a daring move that goes against the easy-listening trends dominating today’s K-pop, while still showcasing BABYMONSTER’s core strength, hip-hop performance, in its most effective form.
AHYEON explained, “When you listen to the song, you just want to keep running. All the worries I had while preparing this album seemed to disappear with the powerful beat.” RORA added, “I love the chorus. It feels like that moment in a movie when the fight begins, it completely pulls you in.”
That “beginning of the battle,” as RORA described, perfectly captures the tension behind BABYMONSTER’s statement to the K-pop world. Their message, “we’ll rise higher”, isn’t just talk but it’s reflected in their numbers. Their 1st mini album and full-length debut album have sold over 760,000 and 1 million copies respectively.
Their first world tour, spanning 20 cities and 32 shows, drew around 300,000 fans, marking the fastest growth ever for a K-pop girl group. Even compared to their senior labelmates, BABYMONSTER’s trajectory ranks among the most explosive in recent memory.
RUKA expressed, “Like the meaning behind ‘WE GO UP,’ I hope we can achieve great results. I also wish that not only our title track but all the songs on the album receive lots of love.”
The music video is also earning strong reactions. With RAMI sitting out due to health reasons, the six members transformed into cinematic action heroes, wielding guns, swords, flags, and fists as weapons. Each member takes down her opponent in a distinct way, showcasing creative, MCU-style action sequences that visually emphasize their individuality and character-driven storytelling, the very essence of BABYMONSTER’s concept of “unique identity.”
CHIQUITA said, “There are so many movie-like moments in this music video. I think MONSTEEZ (the fandom) will have even more fun imagining what’s happening as they watch it.”
The momentum is undeniable. In short, BABYMONSTER is no longer just YG’s promising rookie, they are now a dominant force reshaping the balance of K-pop’s 4th generation and establishing themselves as a new central pillar of the industry. All that’s left now is to keep going higher, just as they declare ‘WE GO UP.’
2025. 10. 12.
