MEOVV: The K-Pop Girl Group Set to Take Blackpink’s Crown

Introduction to MEOVV

Never heard of them before? Well, basically, MEOVV is a brand-new K-Pop girl group that has just debuted under Teddy Park’s THEBLACKLABEL, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment. If you didn’t know, Teddy Park is a Korean-American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Debuting in 1998 as a member of the hip-hop group 1TYM, Teddy later became a major producer for YG Entertainment, working with major K-pop artists like Big Bang, 2NE1, and Blackpink and co-founding THEBLACKLABEL in 2016. Since then, THEBLACKLABEL has been home to artists like Jeon Somi and Taeyang.

As the very first group to debut under Teddy Park’s THEBLACKLABEL, all of this has set incredibly high expectations for MEOVV, their music, and their members! In the lead-up to their debut, MEOVV had already generated considerable attention through a series of teasers that introduced each member individually. This gradual reveal heightened interest, especially as the lineup included more than one familiar face, creating a lot of buzz on social media.

MEOVV debute with “MEOW”

As a result of this buildup, when the girls released their debut track, “MEOW,” many were excited to see what this group would be about. An introduction to MEOVV’s artistic style and image, the song features energetic beats and catchy melodies designed to resonate with a wide-ranging audience, both Korean and global. Accompanied by a visually compelling music video, the release highlights the group’s dance abilities and their bold, edgy concept.

However, despite the high production value and anticipation, the group’s debut also faced some criticism, as a number of fans felt that the final product did not fully live up to the high expectations set by the teasers. On the other hand, Vogue Hong Kong says of the girls’ debut: “Fierce feline energy is through the roof as the girls sing “Meowww… We don’t run, we don’t chase ’em,” throwing in subtle cat ears and claws into simple yet impactful jazz-funk choreography. “MEOW” is a K-Pop girl crush through and through.”

In addition, others have also praised the group’s vocals and the members’ individualism. Although initial reactions to their first song were mixed, there’s no doubt that the MEOVV girls have a lot of potential, particularly given the diverse talents of their members.

MEOVV Members

Now that you know a little about the group, let’s get to know the girls who make up MEOVV. With five teenage members, MEOVV consists of Sooin, Gawon, Anna, Narin, and Ella. Each member brings their own unique flair to the group, starting with Sooin, who was revealed as the third member on August 25, 2024.

Sooin

The oldest member of the group, Sooin was born on April 12, 2005, in Daegu, South Korea, and is known for her dancing skills. Having joined THEBLACKLABEL in 2019, Sooin is also a student at the iconic School of Performing Artists Seoul, a.k.a. SOPA (some of her alumni include BTS’ Jungkok, Baek Suzy, NCT’s Jaehyun, and Red Velvet’s Joy, among countless others).

Gawon

Next, we have Gawon, the last member to be revealed on August 29. Known to many by her English name, Chloe Lee, Gawon is a Korean-American former YG Entertainment trainee and model, having even starred in ads for popular brands like Adidas.

Anna

Like Gawon, the group’s only Japanese member, Anna Tanaka, also started her career as a model! Modeling in Japan since 2014, when she was only 9 years old, Anna was even selected and worked as an exclusive model for the popular Japanese magazine “SEVENTEEN.”

Narin

Up next is Narin, the main rapper of the group. Born on August 15, 2007, in Sinsa-dong, Seoul, Narin is a big fan of BLACKPINK’s Jennie.

Ella

Finally, Ella was introduced as the first member. Known across Korea for her time as a famous child model, Ella was nicknamed “mini-Jennie.” Born in LA, Ella started modeling at only two years old. Since then, Ella has worked with every brand under the sun and signed up with THEBLACKLABEL as a model in 2018.

Overall, each member of MEOVV adds a distinct personality to the group, and with their unique backgrounds and talents, it’s already abundantly clear that these girls are the new it-girls of the 5th generation.

“It’s a dream come true”

About debuting, Gawon told the press, “It’s a dream come true to stand on this debut stage. We’ve worked tirelessly for this moment, and we’re excited to show you everything we’ve prepared.” What’s more, THEBLACKLABEL recently organized a special “MEOVV Debut Pre-Listening Pop-Up” at The Hyundai Seoul, which gave fans the chance to buy MEOVV merchandise, enjoy a designated photo zone, and, for those who registered in advance, access a special listening booth to get a preview of the group’s upcoming music.

Moreover, it seems that MEOVV members have plans to promote beyond Korea as well, as the group and members have already signed with the American record label Capital Music Group. With Capitol Music Group’s impressive roster of artists like Troye Sivan, Katy Perry, and Sam Smith, MEOVV’s worldwide potential is looking extremely promising.