LIGHTSUM Members: The Hidden Story Behind Their "Vanilla" Debut

K-pop girl group LIGHTSUM made waves in the industry when eight talented members stepped into the spotlight with their debut single "Vanilla" in 2021. Initially drawing attention as Cube Entertainment's newest girl group since (G)I-DLE, these LIGHTSUM members brought fresh energy to the competitive K-pop scene.

The group, specifically chosen through rigorous training and survival show experiences, represents a carefully crafted blend of vocal prowess, dance expertise, and magnetic stage presence. From their pre-debut journeys to their successful launch, the LIGHTSUM members have carved their own path in the industry.

The Formation of LIGHTSUM

In April 2021, Cube Entertainment announced their ambitious plans to launch a new girl group, marking a significant milestone as their first such venture in three years. The company, known for successful acts like 4Minute and (G)I-DLE, carefully orchestrated LIGHTSUM's formation with a fresh approach to the K-pop landscape.

Cube Entertainment's Vision

Cube Entertainment envisioned LIGHTSUM as a departure from their previous girl groups. Rather than following the intense, conceptual approach of their predecessors, the company aimed to create a more approachable and relatable group. This strategic shift reflected their understanding of the evolving K-pop market and fan preferences.

Member Selection Process

The company unveiled the members through a methodically planned reveal process in April 2021:

Moreover, LIGHTSUM made history as Cube's first idol group composed entirely of members born in the 21st century, with birth years ranging from 2002 to 2004. This careful selection created a harmonious age dynamic within the group, avoiding the traditional hierarchical challenges often seen in K-pop groups.

Group Name Meaning

The name LIGHTSUM carries a deeply meaningful message, combining two powerful concepts. "LIGHT" represents brightness and positivity, while "SUM" emphasizes unity and collective strength. Furthermore, this name embodies the group's mission to deliver positive energy and hope to audiences worldwide through their performances and messages.

The group's formation particularly stood out for its focus on building a friendly, intimate connection with fans. As expressed by leader Juhyeon, LIGHTSUM aims to be more like listeners' friends rather than distant stars. Additionally, this approach aligns with their goal of creating music and performances that can accompany fans through both ordinary and special moments.

Meet the LIGHTSUM Members

Behind LIGHTSUM's polished debut lies a fascinating tapestry of diverse experiences and talents that shaped each member's journey to stardom.

Pre-debut Experience

The group's foundation rests on substantial pre-debut experience, with several members participating in prominent survival shows. Juhyeon proved her capabilities on "The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project," securing the 25th position. Consequently, Chowon, Nayoung, and Yujeong showcased their talents on "Produce 48," where they ranked 13th, 21st, and 51st respectively.

Individual Specialties

Each LIGHTSUM member brings unique strengths to the group:

Member Dynamics

Above all, the group's chemistry stems from their diverse personalities and shared experiences. Hina left a lasting impression on her fellow members, with both Sangah and Nayoung noting her memorable first meeting. In essence, their different ages and personalities create various chemistry combinations within the group, as observed by Chowon.

The members' comfort level has grown substantially through living together. Juhyeon, despite being naturally shy around strangers, has developed a special bond with Yujeong as same-age friends. Their relationships continue to evolve, with members like Sangah and Juhyeon forming unique partnerships that complement their performances.

Through their training period, each member discovered their distinct artistic voice. For instance, Jian developed her unique rap style in just five months of training, whereas Sangah found her signature powerful, mid-low tone rap delivery after dedicated practice.

From Survival Shows to Success

Several LIGHTSUM members embarked on their journey to stardom through prominent survival shows, shaping their path to success. Their experiences on these competitive platforms not only showcased their talents but also built their resilience and determination.

Produce 48 Journey

Chowon, Nayoung, and Yujeong participated in the highly competitive Produce 48, each achieving different levels of success. Although Chowon initially placed 13th in the finale, subsequent investigations revealed she had actually secured 6th place but was unfairly eliminated due to vote manipulation. Nayoung finished at 21st place, subsequently finding her way to Cube Entertainment, while Yujeong concluded her journey at 51st position.

The Unit Experience

Juhyeon's path included participation in multiple survival shows. In October 2017, she competed on The Unit, where she ranked 25th. Subsequently, she appeared on Dancing High, demonstrating her exceptional dance skills before being eliminated in the second episode.

Lessons Learned

The survival show experiences profoundly impacted each member's growth and development. Yujeong reflects that her time as a trainee transformed after the survival program: "When I was just a trainee, I just did what I had to do. But after being a part of a survival programme, my dream was to become a winner and I became more ambitious".

The challenges faced during these shows contributed significantly to their professional development:

• Chowon gained valuable social skills, noting: "Through doing the programme and talking with a lot of adults, I was able to experience a bigger society"

• Nayoung overcame performance anxiety through fan support, stating: "I usually do have anxiety and nervousness... I think I was able to overcome that kind of feeling because of the cheers from the fans"

Indeed, these experiences strengthened their resolve and prepared them for their eventual debut as LIGHTSUM. Nevertheless, the journey wasn't without its emotional challenges. Chowon candidly admitted, "If I said I didn't feel any sense of loss or dejection back then, I would be lying. In truth, I felt confused and wronged at the time".

Behind the Training Period

The rigorous training period at Cube Entertainment shaped LIGHTSUM's journey from trainees to accomplished performers. Through countless hours of practice and dedication, each member honed their skills to meet the demanding standards of K-pop excellence.

Daily Practice Schedule

The group maintained an intensive training regimen that showcased their commitment to perfection. Their schedule typically included:

Sangah and her fellow members devoted additional time to perfecting their choreography, often practicing "for about 2 to 3 hours every night". Notwithstanding the physical demands, the members remained focused on their shared goal of debut excellence.

Overcoming Challenges

Each member faced unique obstacles throughout their training period. Hina, as the group's only international member, tackled the complexities of Korean language acquisition. Straightaway, she discovered that "pronunciation was the hardest part," yet persevered through dedicated study of Korean idioms and expressions.

Sangah encountered a different set of challenges, having started her trainee journey later than others. She recalls, "Skill-wise, I wasn't enough. That was my biggest struggle". Altogether, the support of fellow trainees helped her overcome these initial hurdles.

Building Team Chemistry

The members' bond strengthened significantly through their shared experiences. Soon after their initial meeting in 2020, they began forming as a group in 2021. Despite their busy practice schedule limiting social interactions initially, they developed deeper connections post-debut through meaningful conversations and mutual support.

Their living room became a sanctuary for open dialogue and conflict resolution. As Sangah notes, they were initially "careful about their interactions because they didn't want to hurt each other's feelings". However, this cautious approach evolved into genuine trust and friendship.

The group's unity particularly shines through their practice sessions. Juhyeon, as the leader, emphasizes how this connection enhances their performances: "We have so much fun together during practice, and we're so comfortable around each other because we understand each other very well".

Creating the Perfect Debut

The meticulous planning behind LIGHTSUM's debut showcased Cube Entertainment's commitment to launching a standout girl group in the competitive K-pop landscape. The company orchestrated every detail, from concept development to promotional strategy, ensuring a memorable introduction for all LIGHTSUM members.

Concept Development

Cube Entertainment crafted a distinct identity for LIGHTSUM that balanced youthful energy with sophisticated performance skills. The group's concept centered around delivering positive energy through their message of hope. Evidently, this approach resonated with their target audience, as demonstrated by their record-breaking first-week sales among new girl groups in 2021.

Song Selection Process

The creation of "Vanilla" involved a collaborative effort from renowned industry professionals. The debut track was:

Generally, the song embodied teen pop and dance-pop elements, composed in A major with a tempo of 120 beats per minute. The musical direction aligned perfectly with the group's fresh image, expressing "the thrill of tension when starting something new with the sweetness of the moment you fall in love".

Music Video Production

The music video production process reflected the group's bright concept through:

Accordingly, the promotional schedule unfolded systematically throughout June 2021. Firstly, an audio snippet was released on June 4, followed by music video teasers on June 8 and 9. Meanwhile, the group held an online showcase on the debut day to introduce their song and connect with fans.

The debut proved successful as LIGHTSUM secured appearances on three major music programs: KBS's Music Bank, MBC's Show! Music Core, and SBS's Inkigayo. Otherwise notable was their strategic approach to live performances, with the members taking pride in never performing with AR (Audio Recorded) tracks.

The Making of Vanilla

The creative process behind LIGHTSUM's debut single brought together experienced industry professionals to craft a distinctive sound that would showcase the group's diverse talents. Steven Lee, renowned for his work with OH MY GIRL, collaborated with Caroline Gustavsson and J. Littlewood to compose a track that would become the group's signature introduction to the K-pop world.

Musical Elements

"Vanilla" emerged as a teen-pop dance song infused with fairytale elements. The track's musical architecture includes:

Important to realize, the song's structure allows each member to shine, undoubtedly demonstrated through Chowon's powerful ad-libs in the finale and Sangah's distinctive rap delivery.

Choreography Creation

In light of the song's sweet concept, the dance routine incorporated playful elements coupled with precise formations. The choreography features signature "ice cream" point moves, where members pantomime scooping and swirling motions. Simultaneously, the routine maintains technical complexity, showcasing LIGHTSUM's synchronized dance capabilities.

The performance simultaneously balances cute expressions with powerful movements, creating what leader Juhyeon describes as their unique charm point: "purity and bubbliness that contrast with, yet complement our synchronized dance performances".

Styling Choices

The visual concept for "Vanilla" carefully avoided falling into typical cute or girl-crush categories. Instead, the styling team created a hybrid aesthetic that incorporated elements of both. The music video features:

The final product reflects LIGHTSUM's mission to deliver positive energy while maintaining their artistic integrity. As Chowon notes, "Vanilla is refreshing and cheerful," perfectly encapsulating the group's debut concept.

Debut Day Success

LIGHTSUM's debut on June 10, 2021, marked a remarkable milestone in K-pop history as the group shattered multiple records within their first week. The eight members captivated audiences with their fresh approach and polished performance of "Vanilla."

Record-Breaking Statistics

The debut single achieved unprecedented success for a rookie group, reaching 2.5 million views in just 18 hours. Remarkably, this achievement established LIGHTSUM as the fastest debuting girl group record-breakers of 2021. Their momentum continued as sales figures soared:

Media Response

The industry's response to LIGHTSUM's debut proved overwhelmingly positive. Notably, the group secured impressive positions across multiple music platforms:

Music critics primarily praised the group's synchronized choreography and powerful vocal delivery. Certainly, the members' previous experience on competition shows enhanced their debut showcase, with professionals noting their exceptional stage presence and confidence.

Fan Reception

The global K-pop community embraced LIGHTSUM with open arms. Their dedicated fanbase, officially named "SUMIT" on September 17, 2021, represents the special bond between the group and their supporters. The name carries deep meaning, symbolizing how "LIGHTSUM and their fans become one through the medium of LIGHTSUM".

The group's professionalism particularly shone through during their debut showcase. Despite performing without a live audience owing to COVID-19 restrictions, LIGHTSUM members maintained their composure and energy throughout the performance. Ultimately, this dedication resonated with viewers worldwide, as demonstrated by their strong digital presence and chart performance.

The success of their debut laid a solid foundation for future endeavors, promptly leading to their first comeback announcement on September 24 with the single album "Light a Wish". This quick progression highlighted the industry's confidence in LIGHTSUM's potential and their growing fanbase's enthusiasm.

LIGHTSUM's Unique Identity

At the core of LIGHTSUM's success lies a distinctive identity that sets them apart in the competitive K-pop landscape. The six-member ensemble has carved their niche through a unique combination of talent and charisma that resonates with fans worldwide.

Group Philosophy

The name LIGHTSUM embodies the group's fundamental mission: bringing together small, bright lights to illuminate the world with positive energy. Through their performances and interactions, the members strive to deliver messages of hope that connect deeply with their audience. As SANGAH emphasizes, "Making music that people can listen to on a daily basis is our goal".

Performance Style

LIGHTSUM's performance prowess stems from their exceptional training background and diverse skill set. Their stage presence is characterized by:

The group's technical excellence is anchored by Joohyun's 7 years of dance training and Hina's 12 years of ballet experience. Notably, their synchronized performances showcase a perfect balance between powerful movements and natural charm, creating what SANGAH describes as "varied and genuine aspects of our charms".

Future Vision

Looking ahead, LIGHTSUM aims to expand their musical horizons without limiting themselves to a single genre. NAYOUNG articulates their approach: "We constantly attempt as many genres as possible without any limits". Their ultimate aspiration, as shared by CHOWON, focuses on connecting with fans globally: "Our LIGHTSUM's ultimate goal and dream is to meet more SUMIT around the world, perform many shows, and have concerts together with them".

The group demonstrates their versatility through different concepts, as seen in their "POSE!" release, where they successfully incorporated:

YUJEONG reinforces their long-term commitment: "We would like to sing and perform for as many people as we can and want to continue performing with our lovely members and SUMIT for a very long time". Through their dedication to authenticity and continuous growth, LIGHTSUM continues to define their place in the K-pop industry.