Kep1er talks growth, unity, and global fame with release of “TIPI-TAP”

Since their debut in 2022, Kep1er has become one of the leading hitmakers in the K-pop scene with songs like "WA DA DA," "Giddy," and now their recent release, "TIPI-TAP."

The group was formed on the music survival show, Girls Planet 999, in 2021, and debuted as a nine member group, but following the group’s original contract expiration, two members, Mashiro and Yeseo, returned to their previous companies.

"This is our first album since we came back as a seven member group, so we wanted to show ourselves to our fans as soon as possible," says CHAEHYUN.

"TIPI-TAP" is the group’s sixth mini-album led by the title track of the same name, which has gained over 20 million views since release last month.

Kep1er has developed their own unique sound that fans have some to expect from them, but it took the group time to realize that after their debut.

"I think it's hard to say that we were confident about our color as a group from the beginning, but our debut song ‘WA DA DA' gained a lot of attention and love from people all around the world, so I think that energetic side of us received a lot of attention," explains HIKARU. 

With "TIPI-TAP" the group was conflicted on which song to choose as the title.

The five-track album features different styles to choose from, all of which would have pleased fans, but the members had to think about what would do the best commercially as well to lead the album.

"We decided that 'TIPI-TAP' was a little bit more addictive, so that's why we decided on that one as the title track, but 'sync-love' was also a really good song, so we decided to pre-release it and perform it at KCON Germany," explains DAYEON.

The group’s stage performances have been talked about since debut due to their charisma and choreography, and they got to show that off to fans when they competed on the competition series, "QUEENDOM 2," in 2022, an experience the members still think about today as a pivotal moment in their career.

"After our debut, we kept on making more music and promoting our albums. We thought a lot about our career and we did some experiments as well, and I think the most memorable song to us is a song called 'THE GIRLS (Can't turn me down)' that we performed at the final stage of the survival program 'QUEENDOM 2,’" HIKARU says. 

"We got to show off the passion, determination, and unity of Kep1er through this performance, so I think not only Kep1er, but also Kep1ians, really loved this performance," adds YOUNGEUN.

As the group nears their three-year anniversary together on January 3, the eldest member and leader, YUJIN, reflected on their growth some of the members have seen. 

"All members have grown since our debut, but I think HUENING BAHIYYIH, HIKARU and YOUNGEUN have grown the most. They are all born in the year 2004, so I call them the 04s. When I first saw them, I thought they were just really young and so cute. But now when I watch them perform, I can't believe they're the same people. They have matured so much," she says. 

Now, as they wrap up 2024 with "TIPI-TAP," the members are looking to the new year with a positive attitude and bigger dreams.

"One of the biggest reasons that we renewed our contract was because we wanted to show our performances on bigger stages, so in 2025, we want to continue to show our color as Kep1er on bigger and bigger stages," says CHAEHYUN.

And in an ending message to fans, YUJIN says, "thank you so much for spending this year with us and thank you for your support and your love. Just as we Kep1er gain energy from you Kep1ians, I hope Kep1ians also gain energy from us! Love you!" 

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