STAYC Presents New EP ‘STAYDOM’ as First Comeback

STAYC, the most recent addition to the K-pop world, returned on April 8 with their latest EP “STAYDOM”. The EP is a culmination of four songs, one of which is a remix of their debut title track “So Bad”. The group gained a lot of attention after their debut, sparking the interest of fans around the world. In recent years, K-pop girl group concept structures have begun to branch out, and fans noticed how STAYC—whose name stands for Star To A Young Culture—did not present itself with the typical “girl crush” theme.

Girl crush became a term widely used to categorize girl group concepts around 2018 when BlackPink rose to the top of the charts. This theme dominated the K-pop world and many groups followed this trend in their new releases and stylistic choices. The term describes girls acting sexy and reckless, unlike the common cute, dainty, and over feminine stereotype. During this time women began to speak up for themselves and gain attention on the world stage. As a result, popularity for the girl crush concept skyrocketed after it endorsed women empowerment and supported groups who broke character in the industry.

Nowadays the trend has taken an alternate route, especially when the concept is used as an easy way out when crafting a comeback album or debuting a new group just to attract quick popularity. Fans have been hooked onto STAYC’s debut “So Bad”, which added a dash of individualism and spice to the K-pop scene. 

The group’s EP begins with the main track “ASAP”, a cheerful and catchy tune that has listeners hooked. STAYC accumulated more than 11 million views in three days after the drop of their music video, more than most other rookie groups. On April 9, the track also rose to number one on the iTunes Top Kpop Album Chart. At first listen, “ASAP” aintriduces itself with a referring aura, beginning with the bright synths leading up to the group’s iconic intro cheer, “STAYC girls, it’s going down!”

The girls have performed and appeared on many stages including Music Bank, Show Champion, 1theK Originals, and Dingo Music, all of which showcase the group’s many abilities. As their name suggests, the group aims to dominate pop culture and be a leading figure for younger generations. 

While on different music shows, the girls have explained the meaning behind the song “ASAP” and what the title implies. “ASAP’s abbreviation is ‘as soon as possible’. The song expresses one’s heart wanting to present their dream guy/girl as soon as possible,” group member Sieun shared on a Music Bank interview. The music video reflects the song’s message completely with its eye-catching colors and appropriate props such as the “love meter” lingering in the background. The girls are situated in a fictional, dream-like world but their outfits cling to the independent “bad girl” image. It is a mixture of cool and cute combined together, something that their producers Black Eyed Pilseung know very well about.

[📷] 210418 인기가요
오늘 무대도 레전드🔥
매일 레전드 갱신 중인 짱테이씨👍#STAYC #스테이씨 #ASAP#SBS #인기가요 pic.twitter.com/ewblVHciKf

— STAYC(스테이씨) (@STAYC_official) April 18, 2021

The duo founded their company, High Up Entertainment, having management over STAYC as their only currently active artists. Black Eyed Pilseung is known for many K-pop hits including Twice’s “Cheer Up” and Apink’s “Dumhdurum”. STAYC is on its way to being matched with other K-pop girl groups like ITZY or Loona—both having their own contrasting styles of music. 

The other songs on the album are all deserving of many streams worldwide, too. “SO WHAT” has many bittersweet moments, although being somewhat of an upbeat track. It is reminiscent of BlackPink’s song “Don’t Know What To Do”, but adds STAYC’s unique voices with profoundly touching lyrics. This track’s goal is to tell their audience that feeling down every now and again is natural and that having no energy to take care of yourself happens to everyone. At the end of the day, you should brush off those negative emotions and forget about what everyone else says about you. STAYC repeatedly proves that everything will pass eventually; that you are perfect the way you are.

i think we all agree this kind of Stayc for the next comeback pic.twitter.com/4Ahof24EG0

— aiden ◡̈ (@yoonfantastic) April 19, 2021

“LOVE FOOL” has a dreamy and relaxing sound to it. The song’s wispy, fairy-like vibe all works in tune with the song’s narration of how it feels to fall in love. STAYC’s J raps, “Fell in love. When I close my eyes and gently float,” contributing to the lightweight feeling the melody omits. “LOVE FOOL” has extremely strong ties to the romantic and picturesque side of the album. 

“STAYDOM” offers a variety of songs that deliver different meanings and long-lasting impressions for all listeners to enjoy. STAYC has never released an unpopular discography thus far and many fans are in for the long run. As one of the most unique K-pop girl groups out there right now, they are determined to continue on this path for years to come. In an interview with EUPHORIA. Sumin hoped that their fans, SWITH, “get consoled with [their] own fresh and healthy music.” The group is actively promoting and releasing daily content on their YouTube channel including dance practices, visual covers, unboxing videos, and MV reactions. 

As STAYC grows day by day, the group is slowly making its mark on the K-pop industry. You can stream their EP STAYDOM now.