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Spica returns with strong vocals

  • Published : Aug 25, 2016 - 17:29
  • Updated : Aug 25, 2016 - 17:29

During their four-year career, K-pop girl group Spica has spent more time off the stage than in the spotlight.

Now the group has returned with a new single album “Secret Time,” unveiled on Thursday at noon.

Spica‘s first release in more than a year, the album consists of two rhythm-and-blues-inspired tracks, “One Way” and the title song “Secret Time.”

Written by lead vocalist Kim Bo-a, “Secret Time” was produced by Swedish producers Pontus Frisk, Graciela Chin A Loi, and Andreas Oberg, who has already made his mark in the Korean music industry. Although this was his first collaboration with the group, multi-platinum producer Oberg has worked with some of the biggest names in K-pop, including Girls’ Generation, VIXX, f(x), SHINee, and more.

“The goal of the song ‘Secret Time’ is to re-energize today’s younger generation, who often find themselves tired and exhausted at the end of the day,” said Kim at a press showcase held at Yes24 Muv Hall in Seogyo-dong, Seoul on Thursday.

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K-pop girl group Spica performs at a press showcase for the release of its album “Secret Time” in Seoul on Thursday. (Yonhap)
Debuted in 2012 with the song “Doggedly,” the five-member act quietly unveiled its last digital single “Ghost” in 2014 without any promotional activities.

Later in the year, the group announced its US debut single “I Did It,” which was released in partnership with music magazine Billboard.

However, its popularity was short-lived.

Despite Spica’s strong vocals and addictive tunes, the members' -- Kim Bo-a, Park Si-hyun, Yang Ji-won, Park Na-rae and Kim Bo-hyung -- musical prowess is not matched by their popularity.

“When we first started working on this album, everyone seemed jaded and tired because we had spent more time than expected on hiatus,” said Yang.

“Ultimately, what turned out to be important for us was finding the right songs for everyone in the group,” added Kim Bo-a. “Once we did, it was invigorating.”

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The cover of Spica’s latest single album “Secret Time” (Official Facebook)
Over the years, Spica -- named after the brightest star in the constellation Virgo -- has been featured in a slew of articles questioning if the group will ever see its heyday.

“We took a positive spin on these articles, and saw them as the public’s recognition of our potential and continuing interest in us,” said Park.

Leading up to the group’s return to the spotlight, some of the members have pursued individual activities that have helped Spica stay relevant during its break. The youngest member Kim Bo-hyung currently stars in JTBC’s “Girl Spirit,” which features musicians from lesser-known K-pop girl groups.

After kicking off their first comeback performance on Mnet’s K-pop music program “M Countdown” on Thursday, Spica has plans to make more broadcast appearances as a group, said Yang.

“This is very exciting for us,” said Kim Bo-a, “I feel like we’re reliving our debut period all over again.”

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)

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