When Ella first stepped into the salon, she wasn't planning to go blonde. Sixteen and sporting long chestnut waves, the MEOVV singer had simply shown a photo of a soft, light brown — something subtle, something safe. Instead, she walked out with hair the color of spun honey, a sunlit transformation that felt almost accidental. "It's growing on me," she says with a grin, debuting the new look over a video call with Teen Vogue — a secret she's been carefully hiding under hats and hoodies from fans eager for the group's next move. Easing any lingering doubts, fellow member Gawon quickly chimes in: “We love it, though. It's a great look.”
Ella is one of five members of MEOVV (pronounced "meow"), alongside Gawon (also known as Chloe), Sooin (nicknamed "Swim Kim" from her trainee days), Narin (who introduces herself as Lyn), and Anna. The rising girl group hails from The Black Label, helmed by K-pop superproducer Teddy Park — the creative force behind megastars Blackpink and now the mastermind shaping MEOVV’s eclectic sound.
In many ways, Ella’s blonde moment mirrors MEOVV’s new era: bold, bright, and a little unexpected. "HANDS UP," their pulsing new single and the lead-in to their anticipated debut EP, captures that carefree spirit. If earlier releases introduced the group as polished and powerful, this track finds MEOVV at their most playful, ready to kick off summer with a wink, a little rebellion, and both hands in the air.
"Musically, it's a totally different genre that we experimented with," Gawon says. "It's inspired by Brazilian funk, which we’ve never tried before. So sonically, it’s very new for us. The message, too, is lighter, more playful than the fierce and confident vibe we’ve shown so far."
Ella jumps in to add that the "Hands Up" music video offers even more clues to MEOVV’s evolution. "We’re almost preparing for a battle," she teases. (The battle, of course, is an intense game of Go with a bunch of schoolyard kids.) "Not just with this song but with the EP that’s coming out in May, it’s like we’re showing a whole new side of us."
Early singles like "MEOW" (their hard-hitting debut), "BODY" (its electrifying follow-up), and "TOXIC" (the emotionally charged ballad) showcased MEOVV's sharp edges and enigmatic worldview. "Originally, our concept was more like a black cat,” Ella explains — sleek, self-assured, and just a little mysterious. The group’s early aesthetic leaned into that polished cool: dark, chic styling and quiet confidence. "Our look was very chic at first," Narin adds. "But with 'HANDS UP,' everything is more colorful — our outfits, our makeup, even our hair. It's a whole new vibe."
The song and the forthcoming EP round out MEOVV’s identity with bursts of energy and color, each track adding even more layers to their sound. This vibrant evolution reflects the diverse musical influences that shape their collective artistry. For Narin, it’s the soulful storytelling of Lauryn Hill and the raw vulnerability of Amy Winehouse. Ella, meanwhile, draws inspiration from the theatricality and emotional depth of Broadway. Recently, Gawon has immersed herself in the expansive soundscapes of psychedelic rock bands like Tame Impala and The Strokes. Sooin channels the passion of celebrated dance couple Keone and Mari, whose artistry sparked her own creative journey. And Anna looks up to legendary K-pop crooner Taeyang, whose influence has shaped her musical aspirations, especially after MEOVV opened for him in Seoul earlier this year.
"With this new EP, it’s more colorful, both visually and vocally," Ella says. "It's more energetic, more youthful... just a lot more us."
Now free from the confines of their feline mystique, MEOVV are finally letting their true selves shine. Ella, for one, is as enthusiastic as she is unpredictable. A lover of musicals, she knows every word to the Hamilton soundtrack. (She even threw in a playful "toss toss," summoning the sparkle of Ariana Grande’s Galinda, flipping her lightened locks with a smile.) Then there’s Narin, whose discipline is as strong as her talent. "She wakes up without an alarm at 7 a.m. and makes her breakfast," Gawon says. "Sometimes she even makes us breakfast. Then she'll meditate, stretch, and just...have her whole life together. She goes to bed early, too — she's so put-together." Narin has also been an early adopter of wellness trends —like mouth taping, which isn't backed by science, but which Narin claims helps her sleep better — before it went viral thanks to Ashton Hall’s morning routine.
Ella shares her firsthand experience of Narin’s influence: "When we were at our old dorms, we roomed together, and she put me on to mouth tape. Apparently, when I slept, I would scream," she says, grinning. "She got me the mouth tape to fix that."
Sooin is pure kinetic energy, especially during dance practices, where she’s often the one hyping everyone up. "If we're all tired and grumpy, because it gets tiring working for continuous hours, we have this energy source," Ella says, leaning toward the dancer, whose fresh bob haircut bounces as she nods. "Unlimited," Gawon adds, summing it up perfectly. Anna, on the other hand, comes across as soft-spoken and shy — an introvert by nature. But, according to Gawon, she's actually "one of the loudest members" back at the dorm. It’s this duality that defines her. "When it's time to be on stage, she’s so good at locking in."
Gawon naturally falls into the "mom" role, always looking out for the others. Throughout this conversation, it’s clear she's the one who steps in to guide when needed. She’s the kind of person who instinctively takes charge, like when Ella first arrived in Seoul a year and a half ago. Struggling with the language barrier and adjusting to life in the trainee dorms, Ella recalls how Gawon helped download a delivery app and order tacos. "Without her, I wouldn’t have had dinner on the first day," she says.
The two share more than just a friendship; with Ella from Los Angeles and Gawon from New Jersey, their shared American roots helped bridge any initial gaps. "She helps me a lot," Ella adds. "When I have no idea what’s going on, she fills me in."
In fact, MEOVV’s global DNA is part of what sets them apart from other rookie groups. Like BLACKPINK before them, MEOVV is made up of members from all over: Ella from L.A., Gawon from Seoul by way of New Jersey, Sooin from Daegu, Anna from Tokyo, and Narin from Seoul. (Their debut song includes the lyric, "Wons and yens and dollars / Comma, comma, comma.")
With roots spanning cultures, languages, and continents, MEOVV feels uniquely poised to capture international attention — a cosmopolitan spirit baked into their identity from the start.
Of course, blending so many different personalities under one roof comes with its own challenges, made even trickier by the fact that they're together 24/7. And as BLACKPINK's Rosé — or unnie, as MEOVV affectionately calls her — knows well, it takes more than just good chemistry to make it work. Rosé, also signed to The Black Label, offered them some valuable advice: take time for yourself.
"She mentioned the importance of having a good amount of alone time in between practices," Ella explains. "Though we still find ways to hang out even during our free time. We got so lucky, we're like a perfect match, personality-wise. We get along too well."
Gawon adds, laughing: "Even at the dorm when it should be our alone time, we're all in the living room, like watching movies."
And while the group’s chemistry is undeniable, MEOVV also has a system in place to keep things running smoothly. "We’ve never fought," Narin says, before Gawon adds, "And we hope to keep that going." The secret? A simple mantra they recite whenever there's tension: "I respect you, you respect me, we respect each other." It’s a reminder that despite their differences, their mutual respect for one another keeps them grounded.
Part of respecting one another means understanding how each person likes to recharge. And when they finally get a break, each member of MEOVV has a different idea of the perfect day off. For Anna, it’s simple: "I want to sleep all day long," she says with a smile. It's unsurprising given the extent of their schedules. Gawon, like Anna, is one of the group’s three night owls. "I like to sleep in," she admits, "but once I’m up, I like to take a walk. With so many schedules and events, we don’t get the luxury of just strolling through the streets of Seoul. I love walking around, maybe doing a little shopping. It keeps me moving, so I don’t feel sluggish when it’s time to jump back into our hectic routines. It’s like a little burst of dopamine."
Meanwhile, dancer Sooin finds her peace in the kitchen. "I want to bake," she says. "Recently, for my birthday, Narin and Anna gave me baking equipment, so I want to use them as soon as possible." Ella amusingly adds, "She bakes in bulk. So, like, 200 cookies at a time." And it’s not just for herself — Sooin loves to share. "She shares them with the staff and our fans during promotions," Ella continues. Gawon teases, "It’s really not good for her sleep cycle because she’ll be baking until 9 a.m."
For Ella, the key to clearing her head is physical activity. "I love to work out," she says. "It’s my way of resetting my mind. It’s not just about staying healthy — it helps me clear all the thoughts in my head. I’ll go for a run, and while I’m running, I reset my process. After a few days of chaos, it’s the 30 minutes, or even an hour, I get to myself."
Narin's ideal day off is surprisingly spontaneous. "I’d do whatever I feel like in the moment," she says. "I might start baking like Swim Kim, or just go shopping with my members. It’s all about being flexible and living in the moment."
However, with the May 12 release of their debut EP, MY EYES OPEN VVIDE, looming, the group has some long days — and even longer nights — ahead. The day after this interview, the group is scheduled for a 14-hour music video shoot. "It’s gonna be an early wake-up, glam, shoot all day, clock out super late," Gawon says, rattling off the schedule with a wry smile.
"Honestly, what helps the most is when it gets really late, like mid-shoot or near the end, and we’re all so out of it, we get kind of manic and start making jokes about everything," Ella says. "You don't even realize it's 4 a.m. and you've been awake for almost a full day." She laughs, as if she's right back in the moment. "It helps push us through to the end."
"Embracing the delusion," Gawon adds, nodding.
"Exactly," Ella agrees. "Those are the funnest times — when we're just so exhausted and everything becomes hilarious for no reason."
In those moments, Ella draws strength from advice she’s received from Teddy Park, who knows the importance of pushing through for perfection. "Before every shoot, he’d message our group chat, saying, 'Don’t stop filming until you’re satisfied with the outcome.' He knows we all have high standards for ourselves and wants us to be happy with our work."
"Having a personal aspect, especially in this job, is important because you can get caught up with a lot of people telling you what to do," she adds. "That can make you feel like, 'But I want to do this with my outfit, or I want to sing this part.' Having our creative touch and our voice so well heard makes us want to do well as a group."
As MEOVV continues to grow, they’re still figuring out what exactly defines them. "It’s hard to define us right now," Ella admits. After all, the group hasn't even celebrated its first anniversary. "We’re just exploring, and this concept is really fun and fresh," she continues. Gawon picks up the thread, searching for something more. "We want to visit more countries and connect with fans everywhere." Ella adds, "A dream goal for each of us is to perform in our hometowns." Gawon then jokes, "The best people are from New Jersey," spoken with the conviction of a true Jersey girl.
With their roots planted across the globe, MEOVV's ambitions are as far-reaching as their sound. Narin, ever playful, puts it best: “Ta-da! We have more colors.”
