GIRLSET Continues Career with Redebut Single “Commas”
Photo: GIRLSET Official X
JYP Entertainment’s and Republic Records’s girl group is back in the spotlight as a rebranded quartet, GIRLSET. Consisting of Lexi, Camila, Kendall, and Savanna, the members last released music in March 2024 under the name VCHA. Despite a lengthy hiatus, the departure of former members KG and Kaylee, and a lawsuit launched against JYP Entertainment America in the past year, the group decided to continue on in a new direction.
GIRLSET announced their rebrand on August 7, just a day before JYP Entertainment America and KG officially severed ties in court—releasing her from a contract under which she allegedly experienced mistreatment and abuse. Kaylee left the group a month prior after undergoing a medical-related hiatus since January 2024. She will promote as a solo artist and released her first single, “Cotton Candy,” on August 16. Though VCHA’s time as a six-member group has ended, its four remaining members started afresh. GIRLSET’s new single, “Commas,” came out on August 29.
The Group’s History
GIRLSET’s history goes back to 2023 with the audition show A2K, where J.Y. Park specifically selected the lineup for an American-based girl group. Though VCHA officially debuted in 2024, they began pre-debut promotions in September 2023. After they debuted with their single album Girls of the Year on January 26, 2024, VCHA already had big plans; they opened for TWICE during the group’s READY TO BE concerts in Mexico City, São Paulo, and Las Vegas concerts. VCHA made a quick comeback on March 15 with the single album Only One, following a bubblegum pop sound catered towards a young teen demographic.
Unfortunately, momentum came to a halt as VCHA slowly disappeared from the public eye. VCHA stopped updating their social media accounts and “unforeseen circumstances” led to a canceled Lollapalooza performance. While KG publicly pursued legal action against JYP Entertainment America months later, the case cited unsuitable and illegal training conditions she and other members endured under their supervision. During the legal proceedings, no further confirmation about VCHA’s future plans came to light. Though the company and KG “mutually agreed” on the contract termination just weeks ago, the circumstances no doubt divided opinions about the K-Pop industry, global groups under Korean companies, and VCHA as a whole.
“Commas”
GIRLSET easily differentiates their sound from VCHA’s with the release of “Commas.” In contrast with the peppy, can-do attitude of VCHA’s music, GIRLSET sings confidently about how they already captured everyone’s attention. It leans towards a girl-crush image with a darker pop instrumental.
However, the song’s bare-bones choreography video does not support their intended powerful image. The rollout for this single is perplexing; though GIRLSET posted a teaser for “Commas” including different shots and outfits, there is no information about when, if at all, a separate music video will also be released. This confusing marketing tactic works against GIRLSET’s attempts to create their own distinct image. While “Commas” does not feel like a grand redebut, it represents a surprising move by the group. Much like a comma, this release bridges two separate eras; “Commas” acts as a transitional single between the end of VCHA and the start of GIRLSET.
Edited by Sandy Ou