Almost everyone, and certainly most, would have heard of PSY, the K-pop sensation who took the world by storm with his viral hit “Gangnam Style”. These days, the star has stepped back from releasing his own music to focus on P Nation, the South Korean entertainment company he founded in 2018. Its latest project? The debut of P Nation’s very first girl group, Baby DONT Cry. Building anticipation ahead of their launch, (G)I-DLE’s Soyeon—arguably the reigning queen of the girl crush concept—takes the lead in creative direction and song production.

The group’s diverse backgrounds—Yihyun and Beni from Korea, Mia and Kumi from Japan—fuel the distinct energy and style that define Baby DONT Cry. Their pre-release track “Bet You’ll Regret It” set the tone with its bold attitude and fearless spirit, offering a glimpse of Baby DONT Cry’s unapologetic identity. Soyeon’s surprise appearance in the music video added to the excitement, underscoring her hands-on role in shaping the group’s sound and image. The song teased exactly what fans can expect from their official debut—bold energy, fierce confidence, and undeniable star power.

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The quartet officially debuted on 23 June with their first single, “F Girl,” a genre-blending track powered by fierce guitar riffs. Baby DONT Cry takes the road less travelled by introducing a new genre they call "Baby Rock." The song champions the message of defying standards, rejecting the idea of being measured by grades, numbers, or expectations. Complementing the track, the music video captures the carefree spirit of girls who live unapologetically by their own rules.

Eager to introduce themselves to the world, Baby DONT Cry opens up to ELLE Singapore about what their debut means to them, first impressions, role models, personal aspirations—and everything in between.

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Congratulations on your debut! Tell us what this moment means to you.

Yihyun: This is a moment we’ve been waiting for for so long, so it feels especially meaningful and unforgettable. Even after our debut, as we continue to promote, I believe this memory will stay with me forever.

Tell us the story behind your group name.

Beni: Rather than symbolising something cute and fragile, Baby DONT Cry represents a strong yet pure energy when standing up to the world.

What were your first impressions of each other, and how has it changed since?

Mia: When I first met Beni, she had such a charismatic aura that I didn’t realise she was the youngest. But now, she is the adorable maknae, always full of aegyo. Yihyun seemed kind from the very beginning, and even now—not just because she’s our leader—she is warm-hearted and always supports the members. Kumi seemed quiet and chic at first because she didn’t talk much, but now I know she’s actually a shy and cute friend who occasionally shows us her aegyo.

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What was it like working with Soyeon from i-dle?

Kumi: I’m the rapper of the group, and during recording, Soyeon PD complimented me a lot, saying my tone was really good and that I was doing well. I was quite nervous since I wasn’t used to recording yet, but thanks to her encouraging words, I was able to go through it smoothly.

Was there a particular K-Pop artist you looked up to growing up?

Yihyun: I’ve admired and been the biggest fan of IU since kindergarten, and she inspired my dream of becoming a singer. When I debut, I want to be like IU, someone who brings courage and warmth to many people. My biggest dream and honour would be to share a stage with her someday.

What makes Baby DONT Cry unique?

Beni: What makes Baby DONT Cry special is that each of us has a distinct personality. Because we all bring something different to the table, I think that’s how we’ll truly capture our fans’ hearts. Also, there’s such a huge contrast between how we are on stage and off stage! I hope everyone can love not just our performances, but also our natural, genuine selves behind the scenes.

Your debut single “F Girl” sends the message of being bold, confident and unapologetic. Who embodies this most in the group?

Mia: I believe the song suits all of us, but it matches especially well with Beni. She nails the facial expressions that capture the essence of “F Girl,” and on top of that, she’s an amazing singer and dancer. Every time we practise together, I can’t help but feel that Beni brings the song to life the best.

What genre of music do you enjoy listening to? What’s a recent favourite of yours?

Kumi: Honestly, I’ve been listening to our songs the most lately. I’m sure once people listen to our debut track "F Girl" and "Bet You’ll Regret It", they’ll get hooked as well! Please listen to them a lot!

Share with us funny behind the scenes anecdotes from the “F Girl” music video shoot.

Yihyun: On the last day of our MV shoot, there was a scene where we had to run down a hotel hallway. During the take, Beni and I ended up falling and bumping into a pillar. I thought the director would ask us to shoot it again, but he gave us an okay right away, which caught us off guard and made us laugh.

What are some personal and professional milestones you’re looking forward to achieving in your first year, and what message do you want to share with your fans?

Beni: We really hope to receive the Rookie of the Year award! It would be such an honour to be recognised among so many incredible artists, and I’m sure it would become an unforgettable memory for us. We’ll continue to work hard to show new sides of Baby DONT Cry, so we hope everyone continues to support us with lots of love. We’ll make sure to express our gratitude through great music and performances, so please look forward to what’s ahead! And to our fans in Singapore, we’ll work hard so we can meet you soon!

*This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.