Billlie Talks Revisiting the collective soul and unconscious Series, Growth Since Their Last Comeback, and More
Photo: Mystic Story
Since their debut in 2021, Billlie has been known for their complex and deeper story narratives in their album releases. Fans have followed along with their unique story-telling through the years, and with the announcement of chapter two of the collective soul and unconscious along with pre-release single cloud palace ~ false awakening, there were plenty of inquiries about what messaging we’d get when revisiting the original concept from 2022. Before the new album release, Billlie sat down with us and our fellow media colleagues to answer these questions and much more about their upcoming comeback.
Q: Your new album is a continuation of the collective soul and unconscious: chapter one. What kind of concepts and sounds can fans see expanded upon from the original album in 2022?
MOON SUA: The album that continues into chapter two will carry forward the questions and confusion we explored in our earlier albums, while also showing how much Billlie's perspective has changed over time. If the “palace” series was about losing our way under the sun and the moon and searching for ourselves, this new chapter brings us to the realization we reached at the end of that long journey. I think the storytelling will grow deeper, and it'll be an album where we can express clearer emotions and experiment with a wider range of sounds.
Q: How are you planning to flesh out the Billlie narrative universe with this album?
SHEON: With this pre-release single, we focused on expanding our emotional range and storytelling through a wide variety of sounds. Through different mixes and moods, we wanted listeners to experience the song as if they were walking through a fog and a maze, and to connect with it in their own way. Starting with this album, we plan to continue broadening our storytelling so that each listener can interpret it through their own perspective and immerse themselves in this world.
*Q: You are known for having a strong storytelling. Where does cloud palace ~ false awakening fit in your overall storyline?
SO: This pre-release single serves as the final chapter of the “palace” trilogy. It carries the realization that the "cloud palace" we reach at the end of the fog and the maze isn't something outside of us, but something within ourselves. It feels like a conclusion, yet at the same time, it feels like a starting point that allows us to look ahead to the next story built upon that realization.
*Q: cloud palace ~ false awakening presents an oniric yet unsettling atmosphere. How would you describe the concept of this single, and what emotions do you hope listeners experience when hearing it for the first time?
MSA: This song contains Billlie's genuine story that had been hidden deep within our subconscious. It feels like waking up from a dream, but not quite feeling like reality. We wanted to express the emotion that exists between dreams and reality. I hope that first-time listeners can naturally experience those mixed, subtle feelings and take this as a moment to face their own honest emotions within them.
*Q: Billlie is known for building a very defined narrative universe. At what point in that story does cloud palace ~ false awakening take place, and what does this chapter represent in the group’s artistic growth?
SIYOON: This pre-release single captures a moment in Billlie's story where we finally face ourselves after a long journey. The story captures the realization that all the time we spent wandering was ultimately a process of moving inward. Based on that realization, I see this song as a turning point that looks ahead to the next chapter. Artistically, I think our power to convey a narrative through music and emotions has grown stronger, and I believe it's a song that clearly shows Billlie's growth.
*Q: Do you have any favorite parts or lyrics from "cloud palace" and why are they your favorite?
HARUNA: I think "어떤 길도 상관없어 뚫고서 네게 날아가" ("which way who cares doesn't matter cuz I can just fly straight to you") is my favorite lyrics from the song. I like these lyrics because they give me the confidence that I can overcome anything, and they also feel similar to my heart reaching out toward our fans, Belllie've.
*Q: If cloud palace ~ false awakening is the doorway into your upcoming album, what kind of world or mood are you inviting listeners into?
SUHYEON: "cloud palace" invites listeners to the boundary between dreams and reality. I think the sense of awakening you feel just before fully waking up and subtle tension set the overall mood of this album. Moving forward, the stories Billlie will share will be filled with more sincere and honest emotions. We hope you look forward to our next album as well.
*Q: It's been over a year since Billlie's last full group comeback. How did the group prepare for the release of cloud palace ~ false awakening after so long?
MSA: We spent a lot of time thinking about how to continue Billlie's story and what kind of story we should tell at this point. Rather than rushing to one, we took time to fully understand and organize the emotions and message this song carries. I think that process naturally led to this track. We tried to stay true to what makes us truly Billlie'while showing who we are now. Artist Regina Kim worked on our artwork once again and put so much care into making sure Billlie's colors come through beautifully, so I'd also like to express my sincere gratitude to her.
*Q: What was the initial inspiration behind cloud palace ~ false awakening as a pre-release, and why did it feel like the right song to introduce this new era of Billlie?
HARAM: This pre-release single begins at the moment where, at the end of Billlie's long story, we finally become aware of ourselves. The realization that the place we'd been searching for until now was actually within us felt like it allowed us to show who Billlie truly is right now, in the most honest way. So rather than introducing the next chapter, I see this song as a door leading into it. We wanted to share the emotions and state of mind we're in standing at that doorway, and capture Billlie's sincere feelings as we prepare for a new beginning.
*Q: The phrase "false awakening" often refers to thinking you've woken up while still dreaming. How does this idea connect to the story you want to tell through this comeback?
SY: A false awakening is when you believe you've woken up, but you're actually still dreaming, existing at the boundary between dreams and reality. I think the story of this pre-release single shares that same idea. Through the subtle emotions where confusion and certainty coexist, we wanted to convey that growth doesn't always come from a clear awakening. I believe "cloud place" is a song that symbolizes the moment of facing your true self and stepping forward into the next chapter.
*Q: If this track were your introduction to someone new, what would you want them to take away about Billlie?
MSA: I hope listeners who are discovering Billlie for the first time can take this pre-release single as a way to experience our world and storytelling. I want people to feel that Billlie is a group that explores diverse music and narratives. Since this is the third part of the “palace” trilogy, I also hope listeners check out "M◐◑N palace" and "$UN palace (Stroop Effect)" along with "cloud palace" and experience that new feeling. This series holds many charms, so please take a listen to it!
*Q: It’s been almost four years since the release of the collective soul and unconscious: chapter one! How does it feel to revisit this series after so long?
SH: Since this story is directly connected to our debut album, I think it's the series that most clearly represents Billlie's colors. It's honestly hard to believe that four years have already passed. Time flew by so quickly! With the experience and depth we've built over the years, we're going to make our next album as exciting and impactful as possible.
TSUKI: It also felt quite odd yet dreamy to be connected to it again, personally. While we mainly focused on following emotions and messages back then, we can now look back at that story with a clearer, more relaxed gaze again. As time went by, we have seen our own growth not just as individuals but also as Billlie, so to reconnect with the series again felt more like a process of proving who Billlie is today, instead of a simple reminiscence.
*Q: So far, your EPs have been grouped under themes like the collective soul and unconscious and the Billage of perception. How does storytelling play a role in your concept and sound?
SY: I think storytelling for Billlie plays the role of bringing sound, concept, and emotions together as one. When we're making a song, once we clearly define what story to tell, the genre, vocal tone, and overall mood follow naturally. So even when we experiment with different sounds each time, everything can still be connected through a single flow and shared emotion.
*Q: Looking back at the collective soul and unconscious: chapter one — what do you think has evolved the most about Billlie since then?
HR: If the first chapter was about searching for emotions and stories, I think our biggest growth now is that we know exactly how to express those emotions through music. Even if the genres or formats change, we're building a solid, stable tone of Billlie. In that sense, this chapter will show a more mature side of Billlie.
TK: I think the biggest growth lies in how much we got to understand about Billlie. Back then, it was more about the process of searching for what belonged to Billlie. Now, we can make our own choices in what story to tell and why. Musically, we have also learned how to convey our emotions with more depth and to utilize the atmosphere from negative space, and I believe that added to solidifying Billlie's identity.
Billie: Thank you for having us today. This was, Belllie've you! Billlie. Thank you
Thank you to Billlie, Mystic Story and Helix Publicity for having us at the roundtable.
*Questions from our media colleagues