Cosmosy On Y2K Inspirations, Being 6th-Generation K-Pop Idols
cosmosy
As part of Spotify's celebration for May's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month this month, the streaming service hosted an event at its New York headquarters with an industry panel of Asian-American execs, a spread of pan-Asian street food, a DJ set from Angie, and the debut U.S. performance from the new girl group cosmosy, who are helping usher in a new era of global-pop to the world.
Created by BLACKPINK's former creative director at YG Entertainment SINXITY, cosmosy is the female quartet that is only two singles into their careers but already making moves around the world. The cosmosy members Amei, Kamión, Himesha, and De_Hana all hail from Japan but were trained in Korea under the K-pop system and sing in a mix of English, Japanese and Korean, all appealing to the mainstream music market. As further proof of their blended pop-culture backgrounds, De_Hana and Kamión initially rose to recognition after competing on Produce 101 Japan The Girls, a local spin-off of Korea's Produce 101 singing competition series that created chart-topping acts like IZ*ONE and Wanna One. The show provided them with early opportunities to get comfortable on stages where their fellow K-pop and J-pop idols would perform.
Bringing together expertise across two of the world's largest music markets, the entertainment wing of major Japanese mobile carrier NTT Docomo Studio & Live teamed with Sony Music Korea in partnership exclusively for cosmosy. Local representatives from Sony Music and The Orchard, as well as publicists around the world, are also supporting the group with an attentive crew overseeing the girls in New York. A beautiful blend of voices speaking in English, Japanese and Korean surrounds the quartet, ensuring the group has handheld fans to cool down with after performing or ensuring their selfie lighting is perfect with their phone's own flashlight.
With such a specific worldview, cosmosy and their team have labeled the group as the first act in the 'sixth-generation of K-pop.' While there's debate among fans and critics about what defines a new generation of Korean-pop acts, it's generally agreed upon that the fifth era of K-pop idols began around mid-2023 as major labels debuted their latest artists like ZEROBASEONE, xikers and BABYMONSTER. With cosmosy's buzz single 'zigy=zigy' released on December 31, 2024, and official debut single 'Lucky=One' dropping this April, the group has made a bold declaration that not only zooms into a new era of K-pop but showcases how the definition of the music scene is expanding in exciting ways.
Mixed with the excitingly artistic and creative styling that goes into cosmosy's visuals for their mass-appeal pop music, it all comes together in an exciting way of envisioning pop music's future as so many people work together towards one goal, blending different styles, cultures and languages.
Learn more about cosmosy, their inspirations, and take on the new generation of K-pop below.
Jeff Benjamin: Congratulations on the release of 'Lucky=One.' How does it feel to have made your debut while busy with promotions?
himesha: Now that we are participating in promotions, it is starting to feel like we actually debuted.
de_hana: We are very busy, but we enjoyed and are enjoying every moment of it.
Jeff Benjamin: Fans took notice of the very strong visuals and live performances for 'Lucky=One.' How have your experiences been?
a'mei: I'm very happy that our fans noticed us as cosmosy. We were also able to meet other idol fans and it made me realize that I want to work harder and let more people know about us.
himesha: In my case, the happiest thing is that I found one of my fans in the audience holding my name board during the music shows, and I was glad I noticed it with so many other fans [in the crowd]. Even now, it feels like a dream that it happened.
kamión: Through this 'Lucky=One' promotion, our fans and followers increased — it was more than expected. I was amazed and surprised.
Jeff Benjamin: While we know de_hana and kamión have TV experience from Produce 101 Japan, how did that compare to the live music shows?
kamión: Back when we were on Produce 101 Japan, we had the chance to perform on the same stage as M Countdown in Korea. But this time, I stood there as a member of cosmosy on the actual M Countdown music show; the experience felt different. Previously, there were eight members on stage, while now it's just four, so I felt more attention was on each of us individually. I was nervous and excited.
de_hana: It had been a while since I was back on that same stage. During Produce 101 Japan, I was more focused on improving myself, and I think my fans are starting to recognize how much I've grown since then. With cosmosy, I feel a real sense of belonging as part of a team, like we're one unit. But back then, the others felt more like rivals than teammates.
Jeff Benjamin: You also met fans while working in Korea. How was that experience?
a'mei: Meeting my fans for the first time was when it really hit me: 'I've debuted as a member of cosmosy.' I was so excited. There were so many happy moments, like talking with fans and receiving gifts and handwritten letters. I've actually read one letter from a fan every day. It always moves me; sometimes, I get teary-eyed just reading.
kamión: It was my first time meeting fans face-to-face in such a close setting and it made me so happy to see their smiles; that connection meant a lot to me. I have Japanese and global fans, too, so I really hope I can meet them soon. At our pop-up event, 'Follow cosmosy in Seongsu,' one fan who's supported me since Produce 101 Japan came to see me. She was shaking and crying while talking to me — her love was so heartfelt that I almost cried too.
himesha: Seeing my fans in person and hearing their words of support made me feel even more emotionally connected to them. I was especially touched when I saw name boards during our music show performances or when fans came running to see us after we finished performing. My fans come to every broadcast and cheer us on — one even cried when she met me at our pop-up event. That moment was deeply moving to me.
de_hana: I met both Japanese and Korean fans at our pop-up event, 'Follow cosmosy in Seongsu,' and the letters I received were filled with kind words that gave me so much strength and motivation to keep going. One fan made a keyring included with her handwritten letter. They also showed me the same penguin plushie I had with me during my Produce 101 Japan audition. I remembered them right away and I was so grateful to reconnect.
himesha: cosmosy features a unique worldview based on the 'end-of-the-century' [Y2K] vibe of 1999, combined with a multi-layered content strategy that resonates with Gen Z and Gen Alpha. This sets us apart from the simpler narrative-based worldviews of past K-pop groups, offering a new idol model that combines fan participation and immersive storytelling.
Jeff Benjamin: Speaking of that time, cosmosy's content reminds me of some classic anime or mangas. Can you share any favorite childhood anime or suggest some for fans?
himesha: I love Tamagotchi, it's an animation and a game you can play on the Nintendo. But a recommendation I want to make is The Promised Neverland. It's really fun, in the fantasy genre, and there's even a movie!
A "Tamagotchi" electronic pet toy is displayed in a toy store on October 25, 2017 in Paris, France. ... More Tamagotchi is a virtual electronic animal which means "cute little egg" and simulates the life of an animal. (Photo)
Inosuke Hashibira, Tanjiro, Natsuki Hanae, Nezuko Kamado, Hiro Shimono and Zenitsu Agatsuma attend ... More the World Tour Premiere Of Crunchyroll's "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To The Hashira Training-" at Regal Union Square on February 10, 2024 in New York. (Photo byfor Aniplex of America/Crunchyroll)
a'mei: Since elementary school, I've liked and recommend Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Natsume's Book of Friends, and Yo-kai Watch.
de_hana: I really like Aikatsu! - Idol Academy and Pokémon!
The atmosphere seen at the YO-KAI WATCH 2 preview event at Siren Studios on September 8, 2016 in ... More Hollywood, California. (Photo byfor Nintendo)
Performers dressed as Pikachu, a character from the Pokémon media franchise managed by The Pokémon ... More Company, march during the Pikachu Outbreak event at night on August 8, 2019 in Yokohama, Japan. (Photo by)
kamión: Lala's Style Book [Fancy Lala], The Promised Neverland — I have all 20 volumes at home — and Jewelpet.
Japan's toy maker Segatoys and character giant Sanrio unveil the new animal characters and its toys ... More "Jewelpet" — 33 animal characters with jewels names targeting girls customers — at the company's toy exhibition in Tokyo, on January 15, 2008. (Photo credit: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP via Getty Images)
Jeff Benjamin: What else is coming for cosmosy this year? And what else do fans need to know at this time?
kamión: We are preparing our next single. Please look forward to it!
himesha: We hope to further reach our global fans and promote more globally. The cosmosy universe might be a bit difficult and hard to understand, but we hope you'll enjoy it, look for the hidden elements, and see it in a positive light! We'll be trying out more fun concepts in the future, so please look forward to them.
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