EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ablume Arises from the Ashes of FIFTY FIFTY to strike Hearts Again–Opening up About “Echo” and What Makes Them Shine

Photo: MASSIVE E&C

There has never been a group in K-Pop history that has shot-up so big and fallen as fast as FIFTY FIFTY, due to no fault of their own. As the saying goes, from the ashes rises a phoenix, and thus we have the birth of ablume with members Saena, Sio, and Aran. There’s a reason why “Cupid” became a top 20 Billboard Hot 100 hit and why the group was selected to be on the Barbie movie album with the song “Barbie Dreams.” It wasn’t just the track, but the perfect mesh of their incredible voices. The result of the turmoil led one member to stay with their original company, and the remaining three were reborn under MASSIVE E&C. With new wings, you can hear the perfect meld of voices in their debut single “Echo” that made them shine before. The ladies of ablume, with that song, brought us joy in “Cupid” hitting at our heartstrings again.

The ladies took time out of their busy schedule to talk about themselves, how they’re adapting with the changed lineup, and what they’re looking forward to and the message they want to send with “Echo.” Take a listen to “Echo” and read their thoughts to learn more about this talented trio.

Q: Can you please introduce yourself for those who are seeing you for the first time?

Aran: Hi, I’m Aran of ablume! Whether it’s vocals or rap, I’m someone who’s always eager to take on anything that lets me express my unique tone. I want to show everyone music that’s free from limitations. Thank you for supporting us!

Saena: Hello, I’m Saena, the leader of ablume. I may be quiet and steady, but I’ve grown stronger than anyone through it all. I’m excited to share our story painted in ablume’s colors. Stay tuned for what’s to come!

Sio: Hi there! I’m Sio, the main vocalist of ablume! When it comes to music, I always try not to lose my confidence or courage. Will you join me on this bold and passionate journey?

What do you think is each ablume members’ distinct charm?

AR: Sio is someone with incredible skills across the board. She's focused and determined. Once she sets her mind to something, she’ll always see it through. That kind of strength is something I really admire. She also has such a quirky and kitschy style, and she’s amazing at doing her own makeup! As for Saena, she has this special ability to read the energy in a space and completely shift the atmosphere. If you’ve seen her dance, you’ll know how grounded and confident she is in her own world. She loves vintage vibes and carries this deep emotional tone. Also, her playlist is seriously cool. As for me… I still have a lot to learn, but even when I feel discouraged, I never stop. I believe sincerity always shines through, so I try to give my all in every moment. I’m usually laid-back and a little slow-moving, but I’m surprisingly quick-thinking when things get hectic!

SN: Sio has such clear thoughts and strong personal values. Her grounded nature is something I really admire and often lean on for support. Aran, on the other hand, has this incredibly lovable charm. She’s playful and sometimes feels like the mischievous youngest, but when it comes to music, she’s the most focused and thoughtful person I know. That contrast is one of her biggest charms. As for me, I try to lead from the front when needed, but I also make space for each member to shine in their own color. I think I’ve grown into someone who can quietly support from behind as well.

S: Saena always carries a strong sense of conviction in everything she does. That confidence helps her move forward without fear. And even if she is scared, she shakes it off quickly and keeps going. Aran may seem calm on the outside, but when she speaks from the heart, it’s incredibly moving. She’s warm, thoughtful, and playful all at once – a mix of so many lovely traits. As for me… it’s a little embarrassing to say, but I think I’m good at maintaining balance. I really value work-life balance, and I’m pretty good at focusing when I need to make decisions or get things done.

Q: How are your dynamics as a three person group now versus your previous group configuration?

AR: I’ve been focusing on growing in my own role and continuing to improve myself. If I had to point out what’s changed, I’d say the sense of responsibility feels a lot heavier now.

SN: I think we’ve grown even closer than family at this point, especially since we’ve become more open and honest with each other. We share everything from small daily stories to our deepest thoughts, and over time, it feels like we’ve learned to communicate not just with words, but with our hearts too.

S: I definitely feel like we understand each other’s personalities much better now. That’s probably why our chemistry has gotten stronger, and being together is a lot more fun. I think the unique charm each of us brings really comes together to create great synergy.

Q: What are each of your favorite current fashion items?

AR: Dresses! This summer, I’m planning to live in all kinds of fun and colorful dresses.

SN: Lately, I’ve been more drawn to patterns than specific items. I’m especially into stripes these days, so much so that filling my closet with stripes has kind of become a personal goal. I love the simple and clean vibe they give off. I think part of me wishes my life could feel just as simple and clear. No overthinking, just keeping it light!

S: It’s really hard to choose just one! I love anything that adds a bit of flair: lace details, polka dots, scrunchies… But if I have to pick, I’d say it’s my Hello Kitty keyring that I’ve been hanging on my bag lately.

Q: What is your perfect vacation?

AR: My perfect vacation would be somewhere I can speak a different language and just enjoy a peaceful daily life. I’ve always wanted to try that. Using another language makes me feel like I’ve landed on a whole different planet.

SN: To me, a perfect vacation is when my heart feels the lightest. The location or schedule matters, of course, but it really comes down to who you’re with and what kind of emotions you experience. A time when I can simply be myself. That’s the best kind of break for me.

S: I’d love to rent a quiet, spacious house deep in the mountains where no one else is around, and just stay there for a month. I’d knit three sweaters, binge every show on my Netflix list, and finally read a book from start to finish without stopping. Just thinking about it makes me happy.

Q: What is your “signature style/sound ” that makes you stand out from other artists?

AR: Our harmony! Especially the group vocals in the chorus parts. I think that rich, clean blend is something only we can create.

SN: It’s hard to define our current sound with just one label, but I think a lot of people have said our music is easy on the ears. We really wanted our individual vocal colors to blend naturally and comfortably, and we put a lot of thought and effort into achieving that balance.

S: I’d say it’s our voices. The harmony we create is what defines ablume. It’s also what our fans love most about us, and I think that says a lot.

Q: What is a message or feeling that you’d like listeners to take away from music? 

AR: I hope people remember us just as we are so much so that when they hear something with a similar sound, they’ll immediately think, “That feels like ablume.”

SN: I want our music to be like a comforting space. Something that can lift you up when you’re down, or double your joy when you’re happy. Music that quietly offers whatever feeling you might need in the moment. I hope that kind of warmth reaches everyone who listens.

S: We always try to express what we’re feeling in the moment through our music. That’s why with “Echo,” we wanted to show how we overcame tough times and kept moving forward. The message we hope listeners take from our journey isn’t anything grand. We just want people to know they’re not alone. And that someday, everyone will get their moment to bloom.

Q: Is there any new music or projects that readers and followers can expect in future?

AR: We’re preparing a wide variety of music! I can’t give everything away just yet… but there will definitely be some bold shifts in genre. We’re also doing our best to bring diverse performances, so I hope our fans stay open and excited for all the new sides of us still to come.

SN: While we’ll continue to hold on to our current sound and vocal color, we’re also looking forward to expressing ourselves in new ways. We’re excited to see what kind of changes we might take on next. I think we’ll be able to show you something fresh, even within the familiar.

S: Musically, we don’t want to limit ourselves to just one genre. We want to explore different styles and colors. Using our own unique personalities and strengths, we hope to freely cross genres and keep expanding our sound. We’ll keep trying new things so we can surprise our audience in the best ways, and we hope you’ll enjoy being part of that journey with us.

Q: What is a message or feeling that you’d like listeners to take away from your debut track and how does it relate to the full story you’re looking to portray?

AR: Through our debut track, we really wanted to convey the message that we’re in this together. To do that, I felt it was important for positive energy to come through in every part of the song. So even during recording, I made a conscious effort to smile while singing. And when performing live, I tried to finish each stage with a bright expression and playful energy. It might seem like a small detail, but I think it makes a big difference!

SN: This time, we wanted to tell our story with sincerity. We've been through a tough journey together, and the fact that we endured and overcame it means a lot to us. With this comeback, we’re making a promise: to move forward with stronger hearts and louder voices. We wanted to sing about how we made it through, and how we’re no longer alone.

S: Since this marks the beginning of ablume, I wanted to express our growth. If you watch the music video, you’ll get a glimpse of how free we can be within music. Through “Echo,” we wanted to show our resolve to move toward our goals. Like a journey with no more fear or hesitation.

Q: Last question, is there anything specific you’d like to share with your fans and our readers?

AR: To everyone who’s waited for us, and to those who are discovering us for the first time through this debut, thank you so much. We’ll continue striving to be a group that approaches your hearts with nothing but sincerity. Please keep following our journey. We’ll make it worth your while!

SN: I want to sincerely thank everyone who’s waited for us. That patience gave us so much strength, and we truly want to give back. It didn’t feel like just support. It felt like you were walking alongside us. We’ll keep responding with music filled with honesty and heart.

S: Thank you for being part of ablume’s journey. We’re just getting started, and there’s still so much more we want to show you, so please stay excited! I truly hope that through our music, both weblume and our listeners can each discover their own unique bloom. We’re rooting for you with all our hearts.

Congratulations to Saena, Sio, and Aran on your debut album and thank you for your candid words. Thanks also to MASSIVE E&C and to 42West for facilitating this interview.