Former Girl Group Members Band Together to Debut as LATENCY

Photo: LATENCY Official X

The word “latency” refers to a state of inactivity that requires certain conditions to fully manifest into something greater. The idea of dormant potential waiting to reawaken itself represents LATENCY, a five-member female band largely consisting of former girl group members, including past members of cignature and LOONA, to form an unlikely combination. They reinvent themselves through LATENCY’s debut single “It was Love,” released on January 8.   

Creating LATENCY

Former cignature members guitarist Jeewon, keyboardist Haeun (previously known as Yeah), and bassist Semi reunite as part of LATENCY. Haeun left the group prematurely in 2021, while Jeewon and Semi remained cignature members throughout the group’s four-year career, which ended in 2024. Jeewon later recruited drummer Hyunjin, best known for her work in LOONA and Loossemble, as the two knew each other as trainees. Hyunjin in particular keeps busy with many projects for herself, establishing the company Triangle ENM and joining the project group TDYA in the past year alone. 

Jeewon pitched the band to rock-focused label Oddinary Records to make their rockstar dreams a reality. The band documented their pre-debut process through MOTCHUH DO ROCK! on YouTube. The web series revealed they were “starting from scratch” and lacked much familiarity with their instruments prior to their debut proposal. However, Jeewon envisioned creating inspiring music separate from traditional girl group fare with this new medium. To round out the group, Oddinary Records approached lead guitarist Heeyeon (who goes by YouTuber Fingerstylish online). She suggested the band’s name to represent realizing their dreams after facing delays.       

“It Was Love” 

“It Was Love” offers an alternate look at the members’ musical talents. While idols such as Wonder Girls have tried out transitioning into a band, no current bands exist of multiple idols from varying acts. This emotional rock-metal track addresses the love LATENCY’s members received in their past careers. With lyrics written by dohun and LATENCY’s Jeewon and Haeun, this song wraps up the band’s feelings towards their fandoms that will support them forever. 

Though LATENCY’s members did not start out as musicians, their idol training gives the band a strong vocal backing. All the members sing in this song. Another high point comes from Heeyeon’s killer guitar solo, which gives “It Was Love” a harder edge. For a band with their origins, LATENCY pulls off their debut surprisingly well. “It Was Love” means another new beginning for its members.

Edited by Clark Royandoyan