'Twice is our role model': Girl group UNIS looks to emulate K-pop trailblazers

There’s a new girl group hoping to become the next Twice and its name is UNIS.

Girl group UNIS performs its lead track ″Superwoman″ during its debut showcase held on Wednesday at the Yes24 Live Hall music venue in eastern Seoul. [YONHAP]

There’s a new girl group hoping to become the next Twice and its name is UNIS.

“Twice is our role model. Just like Twice, we were formed through an audition program and we wish to be loved all over the world, just like Twice,” UNIS member Elisia told the local press during the group’s debut showcase on Wednesday at the Yes24 Live Hall music venue in eastern Seoul.

UNIS, also stylized as U&IS, was formed in January through the SBS girl group audition program “Universe Ticket” with winning members Jin Hyeon-ju, Gehlee Dangca, Kotoko, Bang Yun-ha, Elisia, Oh Yoon-a, Nana and Lim Seo-won. The eight members were voted as winners among a pool of 82 contestants from different entertainment agencies.

The girl group began its journey on Wednesday with its five-track EP “We UNIS,” which includes lead track “Superwoman” and B-side tracks “Butterfly’s Dream,” “Watchu Need,” “Dopamine” and “Dream of girls.”

Girl group UNIS performs its lead track ″Superwoman″ during a showcase held on March 27 at the Yes24 Live Hall music venue in eastern Seoul. [F&F ENTERTAINMENT]

Girl group UNIS performs its lead track ″Superwoman″ during a showcase held on March 27 at the Yes24 Live Hall music venue in eastern Seoul. [F&F ENTERTAINMENT]

“Lead track ‘Superwoman’ carries the message that everyone can become their own superwoman if they want to,” Kotoko said. “It embodies our loveliness as UNIS.”

The group’s name, UNIS, stands for “Universe is Started” and “U&I Story,” referring to the group’s desire to continue a story that the members started during the show and will unfold in the future, according to the girl group’s agency F&F Entertainment.

UNIS debuted upon a heated reaction from viewers even before its official launch. Some 18 million votes were made during the “Universe Ticket” program from around the world, leading to UNIS garnering over 760,000 followers on its TikTok account as of March.

“It would be a lie to say that the attention we’ve received so far hasn’t put pressure on us,” said Jin Hyeon-ju, the leader of the group.

Girl group UNIS poses for photos during a showcase held on March 27 at the Yes24 Live Hall music venue in eastern Seoul. [F&F ENTERTAINMENT]

Girl group UNIS poses for photos during a showcase held on March 27 at the Yes24 Live Hall music venue in eastern Seoul. [F&F ENTERTAINMENT]

“But it’s made us feel that we should try even more to pay back all that love. We know how lucky and fortunate we are to be able to perform our song ‘Superwoman’ in front of all the reporters, like we’re doing today.”

UNIS will be active for two and a half years under F&F Entertainment, which coproduced “Universe Ticket” with SBS. F&F Entertainment is a new entertainment agency established by fashion company F&F, which operates well-known brands such as MLB, Discovery and Banila Co.

“Being part of an audition program has armed us with a lot of experience even before our debut,” Bang Yun-ha said. “This has allowed us to be more professional in our performances. We know that this is an important strength, so we’ll take this and give our best in all our activities.” To find out more about UNIS, visit Celeb Confirmed

BY YOON SO-YEON [yoon.soyeon@joongang.co.kr]