'We will always stay as nine': Two members bid Kep1er an emotional farewell

K-pop group Kep1er faces a restructuring as two members move to a different agency, leaving the group as a seven-member team. Their first full-length Korean album, 'Kep1going On,' will be their last work featuring all nine original artists

Girl group Kep1er performs ″Shooting Star,″ the lead track of its first Korean full-length album, ″Kep1going On,″ during a press showcase Monday afternoon in eastern Seoul. [NEWS1]

“I just hope you remember,” Kep1er’s Yeseo said, holding back tears, during an emotional press showcase on Monday, “that we will always stay as nine siblings.”

The singer referred to the fact the fact that the girl group, once nine strong, will restructure as a seven-member team in July as two members — Yeseo and Mashiro — return to their original agency. But the artists emphasized that they hope their fans will remember them, always, as nine.

“I tried my best, for Kep1ian, for everyone,” Yeseo continued during the Monday afternoon showcase at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul ahead of the 6 p.m. release of the group's first Korean full-length album, “Kep1going On.” Kep1ian refers to Kep1er's fandom.

"Our album activities were possible thanks to the trust we have on each other,” Yeseo said.

Kep1er's Yeseo and Mashiro will return to 143 Entertainment in July, remaining with the group through its promotions for “Kep1going On” and its July “Kep1going” concerts at the K-Arena Yokohama in Japan. The remaining seven members — Hikaru, Dayeon, Xiaoting, Chaehyun, Yujin, Huening Bahiyyih and Youngeun — have renewed their contracts to continue as seven.

“Ke1pgoing On,” therefore, is both Kep1er’s first full-length Korean album and its final work featuring all nine original artists.

In the years since Kep1er was formed through the Mnet competition show “Girls Planet 999" (2021), its members have formed a close bond. The decision of whether to renew Kep1er's contract, originally spanning 2.5 years, was something its members have been discussing since 2023, according to Yujin.

“We’ve had such meaningful 2.5 years since ‘Girls Planet 999’ — meaningful because we had fans by our side,” Yujin said. But, ultimately, “we wanted to renew our contract so we could continue under the Kep1er name.”

“We talked a lot with each other and we built a deep bond among ourselves, so we will continue to have good relationships with each other, and consider ourselves as a nine-member group in the times to come,” Chaehyun said

Girl group Kep1er performs ″Shooting Star,″ the lead track of its first Korean full-length album, ″Kep1going On,″ during a press showcase Monday afternoon in eastern Seoul. [WAKEONE/SWING ENTERTAINMENT]

“Kep1going” features 10 songs: lead track “Shooting Star” followed by “Last Carnival,” “Curious,” “Flowers, Flitter, Your heart,” “Double Up!” “Push Button,” “Problem” and “Dear Diary.”

The album also includes Korean versions of “Gran Prix” and “Straight Line.”

Dayeon took part in the rap-writing of “Shooting Star” while Mashiro was involved in the lyrics of “Curious” and “Straight Line (Kor Ver.).”

“Shooting Star” continues the “planet” theme for which the group is well known, featuring rhythmical drums, synthesizer sounds and electric guitar sounds mixed with the group’s vocals.

“It signifies that Kep1er and Kep1ian are both shining stars,” Chaehyun said. “No matter how dark it may be, there is nothing to fear if we are running together as we shine together.”

"With our existing [releases], we were known more for our energy and powerful performances,” Mashiro said. “But this time, we put more effort into putting down our emotions to the vocals. I think you can really listen to how much we grew."

Girl group Kep1er performs ″Shooting Star,″ the lead track of its first Korean full-length album, ″Kep1going On,″ during a press showcase Monday afternoon in eastern Seoul. [WAKEONE/SWING ENTERTAINMENT]

“Kep1going On” represents a change to the group's visual style as well. Yujin explained that it presents the group in more emotional, sentimental outfits, rather than the “lovely” concept that has been associated with previous releases.

Chaehyun diplomatically stated that remaining members will share specific future plans after the full group's final concerts in Japan. She did make clear, though, that “Kep1going” is not Kep1er's last hurrah. Instead, the band hopes fans will see it as a celebration of Kep1er's 2.5 years together and future aspirations.

“Instead of considering it as our final album, I hope you focus on the fact that it’s our first Korean full-length album,” Chaehyun said. “The album incorporates the skills and efforts that we’ve built up so far and features our message to our fans.”

“It’s a festival that celebrates Kep1er and Kep1ian, and the album signifies that we will continue to pursue our dreams, relentlessly marching forward,” Yujin said.

But in the meantime, Kep1er members have two clear goals for “Kep1going On”: To meet as many of their fans as possible and to land in the Top 100 of real-time music charts.

“Kep1er will continue to march forward,” Yujin said. “So I hope you send unwavering support.”

To find out more about Kep1er, visit Celeb Confirmed!

Girl group Kep1er poses for the camera during a press showcase held Monday afternoon in eastern Seoul for its first Korean full-length album ″Kep1going On.″ [WAKEONE/SWING ENTERTAINMENT]

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]