The six-piece girl group from the competition series A2K prove that they’re now ‘Ready for the World’ with heartwarming debut.
The thrill and intimidation of dreams are universal, transcending one’s “Go Getter” nature. A dream can seem distant, especially when self-doubt takes root. Nevertheless, the six girls of the newly debuted global girl group, VCHA (pronounced Vee-cha), defy inhibitions. Trained through the K-pop system, they embark on a lifetime journey, eager to share their excitement during an early morning in Seoul.
“It just doesn’t feel real a lot of the time, so I always say it hasn’t hit me yet,” shares Florida-native Savanna regarding their debut. “I don’t know when, [but] it definitely will.”
The debut single, “Girls of the Year,” and its second track, “XO Call Me,” highlight the girls—Camila, 18, Lexi, 18, Kendall, 17, Savanna, 17, KG, 16, and Kaylee, 14—as they embrace their new lives. In the practice room and on stage, they radiate stunning confidence and synchronization.
In a touching moment from the music video, Camilla, the oldest group member, witnesses her past self in the audience. With self-assurance, she reflects on the brave decision to leave nursing school and pursue her singing dreams, singing the chorus.
“Baby, tonight’s like a dream / Oh, I bet you never thought you’d see / Girls of the year / Yeah, that’s we / Something that you never thought we’d be”
The young idols recognize their transformation from not being “Ready for the World” to their present state. Less than two years ago, they were strangers, typical girls-next-door scattered across the country. Fate smiled upon them when JYP Entertainment and Republic Records, prominent figures in the music industry, brought them together for the America2Korea competition series.
Spanning 22 episodes in 2023, millions tuned in on YouTube to witness the girls audition, train, and vie for a spot in the new girl group. The evaluation extended beyond singing and dancing; their “potential” played a significant role from the very beginning.
“Potential” takes center stage, considering most girls had minimal training initially. Progressing through a week-long Los Angeles bootcamp and later in Korea, they showcased more than raw talent. Their teamwork, character, and star quality became evident.
Each contestant faced intense scrutiny, battling criticism, self-doubt, and frustration. Kaylee, initially lacking confidence in dancing, and Lexi, with no prior vocal training, navigated the high stakes. A single mistake could jeopardize their budding idol dreams.
Ultimately, in September, the six girls triumphed, announced as the final group members. Shortly after, VCHA unveiled their pre-debut singles, SeVit (NEW LIGHT) and the A2K theme song “Ready for the World,” offering a glimpse into the vibrant energy they had in store.
Being labeled a global girl group carries a profound significance compared to merely being a pop or K-pop star. The term “global” adds a unique nuance, signifying the challenge to transcend borders and become a unifying force to resonate with the world—a formidable standard to achieve.
They leverage their diverse backgrounds to surmount the challenge, incorporating it into their artistic ethos. The name VCHA, derived from a Korean word meaning “shine the light,” embodies key pillars: authenticity, togetherness, and the belief that uniqueness makes each member special.
Geographic and ethnic diversity manifests in various strengths among the members. The “Y.O.Universe” music video extends this concept, offering fans insights into the girls’ past lives—Camilla’s academics, Lexi’s 12 years of ballet, Savanna’s gymnastics, KG’s guitar and songwriting, Kendall’s artistic pursuits, and Kaylee’s auditioning journey. Savanna notes that during filming, they drew from their emotions during the show, where feelings were “all over the place.”
“But now, we’re here with each other, is kind of what I pull my emotions out of,” she adds of their next chapter ahead.
The authenticity and relatability of VCHA resonate deeply with their fans, known as the VLIGHTS. The girls, without needing to convince, openly share their experiences of self-doubt common in girlhood. Fans witnessed their growth, embracing the message that believing in oneself is challenging yet immensely rewarding from the start.
Fans had the privilege of seeing the girls perform on stage before their debut, on the Korean music show Music Bank. Wisconsin-native Lexi reflects on the moment, expressing a mix of passionate motivation and joy, finally realizing their long-held aspirations.
Despite reaching significant milestones, the girls are afforded time to acclimate to idol life and navigate their teenage years. For instance, Kaylee mentions that she and several others still attend school, with classes starting at 7 a.m. and concluding at 10 a.m. Afterward, their training regimen extends until around 6 p.m.
“And on special days, we have Pilates,” the Washington native adds.
Training in Korea marked not only a first for Missouri-native KG but her inaugural visit to the country. Filming music videos beyond their residential city allowed her to appreciate the scenic beauty, such as the mountains. Immersion in Korean culture provided them with the opportunity to discover favorite Korean foods.
“For me, it’s raw marinated crab,” Lexi promptly shares.
“Kimchi jjigae!” adds Kendall.
“I just like the convenience store,” Camila says after contemplating. “And also anything that has rice cakes in it.”
“I’m so indecisive,” Savanna chuckles.
Kendall notes that the training period wasn’t “too hard to adjust to,” given their experience in A2K, which prepared them for the lifestyle. While the initial “long hours” proved challenging, they eventually overcame this hurdle.
Adapting to a broader public perception under the spotlight follows a similar trajectory. While not all feedback is consistently positive, the girls mention they’ve “grown a tougher skin.”
“I’ve learned to realize that I myself, and that we as a group, are very skilled people who are good at what we’re doing,” Lexi says as the leader of the group. “So as long as we just listen to the feedback that we’re given and improve ourselves with time, then that’s the most important thing to us.”
“We’ve grown to a place that is, as long as we do our best and we’re working as far as we can work, then there should be no reason for us to be hard on ourselves,” Kendall adds
The show has played a pivotal role in helping them “find” themselves, pushing boundaries and exploring their comfort zones. This journey allows them to reflect on the significant changes in their current selves since their initial audition in front of J.Y. Park, the founder of JYP Entertainment who selected the VCHA members.
“When I look back on videos, especially for A2K, Music Bank or other performances, it doesn’t feel like I’m watching myself,” Texas-native Kendall muses. “It just kind of feels like I’m watching maybe a performer on stage. The comments, they don’t seem to be about me — I just kind of think of them like they’re toward someone else.”
Their growth in skills is paralleled by their sisterly-like bond. They embrace an unserious, goofy side evident in their humorous social media videos. Savanna, inspired by online responses to a “funny move” from their “Y.O.Universe” single, initiated one such video.
“Honestly, I think everything is pretty chaotic,” Savanna says of embracing their “funny” side. “I don’t know if this is portrayed to the outside audience, but we’re kind of really, in my opinion, crazy with the six of us together. I think that’s a lot of our true selves, so I think we like to record those moments so we can share them.”
J.Y. Park, initially perceived as a “big scary person,” surprises with a “funny” side, according to Savanna. Camila, once the most nervous during her initial audition, now views the founder as a “wise man.” Kendall also notes the shift in perspective, seeing Park as more than just a judge.
As a newly debuted global girl group, a different kind of pressure emerges—exciting rather than make-or-break. Without the risk of elimination, the girls express the freedom to enjoy themselves more on stage.
The anticipation won’t be prolonged, as the girls will soon showcase why they are the “Girls of the Year.” In late March, they’re set to open for K-pop superstars TWICE in Las Vegas, marking their inaugural U.S. performance. Following this, they will extend their international presence by being the opening act for TWICE’s fifth World Tour, “Ready to Be,” in Brazil and Mexico.
“We came there without realizing if we would win or make it,” she continues with a smile. “And now being there and knowing we did it is going to be a really amazing feeling.”
Their debut single, “Girls of the Year” is now available to stream.