After a fantastic first year, UNIS, short for “U&IStory” and “Universe Is Started,” are back with their highly anticipated second mini album SWICY. The eight member girl group had a prosperous 2024 after: forming through the SBS global survival show Universe Ticket; releasing their debut mini album We Unis; winning various awards including the “IS Rookie Award” at the 2024 Korean Grand Music Awards; and selling out both their Japanese Fan Meeting and first Philippine fan concert.
Now the eight members, consisting of Hyeonju, Nana, Gehlee, Kotoko, Yunha, Elisia, Yoona, and Seowon, are ready to show their sweet and spicy charms to their fans, known as EverAfter. The EP includes five new tracks: “SWICY,” “From a seed called ‘Hey, what’s up?’,” “DDANG,” “Good Feeling,” and “Spring Rain.”
The EP is led by the title track “SWICY,” which combines the words “sweet” and “spicy.” The upbeat and cheerful song shows a new side of the group and is complemented by an equally bright and eccentric music video. In the video, the members experiment with various ingredients to create unique recipes and try to impress a crush with a gift box of baked goods. As the video progresses, the members shrink down into miniature versions of themselves dancing on the flour-powdered countertop amongst other baking ingredients and cooking supplies.
Kpopconcerts.com had the chance to speak with UNIS about preparing for this comeback, their “swiciest” charms, and their dreams for the future.
This interview has been edited for clarity.
KPC: What were your first reactions when you heard the concept for the mini-album would be “SWICY?”
Gehlee: The name immediately caught my attention. I thought it was interesting because it meant we’d be able to show off a double-sided concept!
KPC: What was your favorite part of filming the music video for “SWICY?”
Yoona: I enjoyed the part where I put sauce on the food. It was fun being able to decorate the cookies and delicious food!
KPC: What was the most difficult part about preparing for this comeback?
Elisia: The pronunciation when it comes to Korean words and lyrics. Even though I improved my Korean, I sometimes still have an English accent.
Seowon: I had to attend school and balance schedules at the same time, which was hard for me.
KPC: You sing about “keyrings” in your track “Good Feeling.” Keyrings and trinkets are gaining popularity among young people globally as a way to express themselves and show their personality on their belongings. What are some of your favorite keyrings that you have?
Hyeonju: Compared to the other members, I only have a few keyrings. But I love the keyrings that fans have given me!
Nana: I love pink keyrings.
Gehlee: My favorite one would have to be my very charming My Melody keychain that is wearing a princess tiara!
Yunha: I enjoy anime, so I like anime character keyrings.
Elisia: I have a name keyring that my members made for me when we debuted.
KPC: If you could design your dream keyring, what would it look like?
Hyeonju: I want to make UNIS into cute keyrings so I can see them whenever I want to!
Gehlee: My dream keyring would be a tiny perfume spray bottle in the shape of a unicorn with a little ribbon.
Kotoko: I want to make my face into a keyring.
Yunha: I make knitted keyrings, but I want to try to make a clay version of a keyring.
Elisia: I feel like mine would be pink and fluffy with sparkles and blush.
Yoona and Seowon: A keyring with my name on it.
KPC: Your music is very sweet, charming, and upbeat. Are there any other concepts you’re interested in trying for future comebacks?
Yunha: We showed bright, kitschy, confident kinds of concepts. So these days, I feel like I want to try a pure and clean concept.
KPC: You recently held your first Fan Meeting in Japan and your first Philippine concert. What countries do you dream of going to next?
Kotoko: I want to go to America! I want to see New York’s night view but more than that, I want to meet our far away EverAfter and talk with them.
Yunha: The movie ‘Coco’ was so impressive, it made me want to visit Mexico!
KPC: Out of all of you, which members are spicy and which are sweet?
Hyeonju: I’m the spiciest member and the sweetest member is Elisia.
Kotoko, Yunha, and Seowon: Hyeonju is the spiciest and Elisia is the sweetest.
Nana: I think the spiciest member is Kotoko and the sweetest is Yunha.
Gehlee: I think Hyeonju, Nana, and Yoona are spicy. Me, Yunha, Kotoko, and Elisia are sweet. Seowon is a perfect swicy mix!
Elisia: I think all members are sweet, but can have their spicy moments sometimes.
Yoona: I think Hyeonju is spicy and Kotoko is sweet!
KPC: What is your favorite spicy food?
Hyeonju: Maltang!
Nana and Yunha: Tteokbokki!
Gehlee: Pancit canton.
Kotoko: Braised Kimchi.
Elisia: Korean seasoned spicy chicken.
Yoona: Kimchi stew.
Seowon: Ramen.
KPC: What is your favorite sweet food?
Hyeonju: Chocolate!
Nana and Yoona: Cake!
Gehlee: Macarons.
Kotoko: Tiramisu.
Yunha: Chocolate cream bread.
Elisia: Honey rice cake.
Seowon: Donuts.
KPC: What do you think are your sweetest and spiciest charms?
Hyeonju: I think it’s my hot and cold personality. Even though I speak a bit bluntly, my charm lies in the fact that I take care of people from behind.
Nana: I will show them in a ‘SWICY’ performance!
Gehlee: I think my sweetest charm is how I really like giving out compliments! As for my spiciest charm, I think it’s probably my subtle but shining confidence!
Kotoko: When I perform ‘SWICY,’’ I show both spicy and sweet moments.
Yunha: When you have a deep conversation with me, you will feel my charms!
Elisia: I think my sweetest charm is my aura and my spiciest charm is probably my versatility.
Yoona: My chic moment is spicy and my cute moment is sweet.
Seowon: My hot and cold charm!
KPC: Is there any message you would like to send to EverAfter?
Elisia: I want to say thank you always for supporting UNIS! Always stay safe and healthy, and we hope to see you guys more often!
UNIS’ second mini album SWICY is out now on all major streaming platforms!