K-pop has long been an industry driven by innovation, but few groups have embraced change as boldly as tripleS. With their unique structure and ever-evolving lineup, the group is redefining what it means to be an idol in the modern era. Now, with the introduction of tripleS ∞!, the concept is expanding even further, pushing boundaries and engaging fans like never before.
tripleS is a 24-member K-pop group under MODHAUS, founded by former LOONA creative director Jaden Jeong. Unlike traditional groups, tripleS seamlessly operates as a full team while also forming a variety of temporary subunits, known as DIMENSIONs. Through the Cosmo app, fans actively influence unit lineups, concepts, and content, making tripleS one of the most interactive and dynamic groups in the industry.
Since launching its first subunit, Acid Angel from Asia, in October 2022, tripleS has introduced several more DIMENSIONs, including +(KR)ystal Eyes, ACID EYES, LOVElution, EVOLution, and NXT in 2023, followed by Aria and Glow in 2024. The majority of these formations were determined by fan voting events known as Gravity.
The group officially debuted in February 2023 with 10 members, releasing the mini-album “ASSEMBLE” and the title track “Rising”. Earlier this year, they unveiled “Assemble24”, featuring all 24 members, with the title track “Girls Never Die”.
In October, tripleS launched their performance-centric unit, Visionary Vision, consisting of 12 members. Looking ahead, the group had a new debut with its first Japanese subunit, ∞! (Hachi), composed by eight members: JiWoo (S3), ChaeYeon (S4), YooYeon (S5), Kim SooMin (S6), Kotone (S11), Mayu (S16), ShiOn (S20), ChaeWon (S21).
In 2023, tripleS embarked on their first world tour, performing across South Korea, North America, and Australia, concluding with two shows in Seoul in February 2024.
As tripleS ∞! takes shape, one thing is certain: the group’s journey is far from predictable. With their limitless format and deep fan involvement, they continue to push the boundaries of what a K-pop group can be.
Panorama.it spoke with them in an interview.
Can you please introduce yourselves and tell us a little about your journey as part of tripleS ∞!?
JiWoo: Hi, I’m JiWoo, S3 and the cool pebble of tripleS. I was selected as a member of tripleS ∞! through the Gravity vote on the application developed by MODHAUS called Cosmo. This unit is the first Japanese activity of tripleS so there was definitely a sense of nervousness surrounding this debut, but we prepared for the debut by practicing hard with the members. We were able to wrap up the promotions of tripleS ∞! without any problems thanks to the Japanese WAV that cheered us on.
ChaeYeon: Hi, I’m S4 ChaeYeon – the one that always shines brightly! (ChaeYeon used the Japanese expression Kira kira kagayaku which translates to shining and sparkling brightly). I’m really happy to have had the opportunity to join tripleS ∞!, the first Japanese unit of tripleS. I haven’t been able to promote in Japan a lot yet, so I wanted to thank you for believing in me and choosing me to be a part of this unit. I’m grateful and happy to have learned a lot, met and communicated with many Japanese WAV during the Japanese promotions. In the future I hope to meet more of our Japanese WAV!
YooYeon: Hi! I’m the melon bread of tripleS, S5 YooYeon who’s reminiscent of a fruit sandwich! I was selected as the second member of tripleS ∞! through the Lemino pick and started the promotions with ‘Untitled.’
SooMin: Hi, I’m S6, the future of tripleS, SooMin! I was selected as a member of the first tripleS Japanese unit, tripleS ∞!. As part of our debut promotions with tripleS ∞!’s title song ‘Untitled,’ I was able to meet many WAV in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but now we’ve successfully wrapped up our promotions, and I believe we were able to really enjoy this time thanks to all the love and support you have shown for ‘Untitled.’
Kotone: Hi, I’m the red panda, S11 Kotone – the MSG (Monosodium glutamate) of the group that makes everything more tasty when you add me. I became a member of tripleS ∞! through the votes of Japanese WAV. Me and Mayu have been gradually appearing on Japanese broadcasts as Japanese members of the unit.
Mayu: Hi, I’m S16, the adorable leader of tripleS ∞! Mayu! After being selected as a member of tripleS ∞!, I’ve been appearing on Japanese broadcasts and radio, which I’ve enjoyed a lot. Being a part of this unit has been an amazing experience that only left me wanting more; I really wish to appear on Japanese music shows, end of year shows and participate in even more variety shows. One more wish I have is to go to an amusement park with our tripleS ∞! members.
ShiOn: Hi, I’m the unique voice of tripleS, S20 ShiOn! A little bit about me: I like nature, deserts and bread! I’m really happy and grateful to have been chosen as a member of tripleS ∞!. I wanted to communicate with our Japanese fans, so for this promotion I bought Japanese study books and began learning the language, and I think I managed to talk to Japanese WAV in their language even if it was a basic conversation.
ChaeWon: Hi, I’m the strawberry princess of tripleS, S21 ChaeWon! (ChaeWon said strawberry princess in Japanese Ichigo Hime). The time I spent promoting as a tripleS ∞! member was very happy because I got to meet our Japanese WAV! We spent amazing time in Japan with our members, and these moments will remain happy memories for me.
What does the name “tripleS ∞!” mean to you, and how does it reflect your group’s concept and message?
ChaeYeon: tripleS ∞!’s logo represents infinity. It’s a unit with infinite possibilities. I believe we express the other side of youth through music, offering empathy and comfort.
Kotone: For me, it’s the first step of my debut and activities in Japan, and I feel a sense of responsibility. The infinity symbol, with the number 8 turned sideways, represents that we can take on any concept and shows that we have infinite possibilities.
Your debut song “アンタイトル (Untitled)” explores themes of loneliness and anxiety. How do these emotions resonate with you personally?
YooYeon: At the end of the day, all of the choices we make in our lives are made by ourselves, so I believe that everyone will feel the solitude and anxiety purely because of the responsibility of making decisions that weighs down on us as individuals. Since the moment I made the decision to debut up until now, there have been many moments that I felt lonely and anxious, so I relate to the song on a personal level.
ShiOn: Before I became a small s, I was really torn between starting my university preparations or continuing my journey to debut as an idol, so I can relate to the emotions contained in the song.
(Editor’s note: In the tripleS universe the S in the group’s name [tripleS or SSS: Social, Sonyeo (Kor: Girl), Seoul] represents 24 members, each with the power of “s” [which is a special ability], they come together to make one big S. In regular terms being a “small s” can be seen as being a trainee before joining tripleS.)
As a subunit of tripleS, how do you feel about the unique fan-driven approach, where fans can influence your lineup and concepts? How important is fan interaction and engagement to you, especially through the Cosmo app and events like Gravity?
SooMin: I honestly think that it’s very interesting and fun because our fans have the power to create yet another version of tripleS. We create the future together with our WAV so I think that communicating with the fans is essential.
Mayu: It’s the fans who choose the members for a certain unit, so I think that putting in effort to match their expectations is very important. It’s a bliss to be able to share the music we created together with our fans and I think it makes our special bond stronger.
What has been the most exciting part of debuting as the first Japanese subunit of tripleS?
JiWoo: I was amazed by the music shows! We performed at a music show called CDTV, and contrary to Korea where all participants appear together on the stage at the end, in Japan they all gather during the opening. Also, there are front and back stages, so it was fascinating to see how the cameras move around and how the performances were conducted.
ChaeWon: This is my first unit activity after joining tripleS, and differently to other tripleS units, the members for tripleS ∞! will only change after a year. I thought it was interesting and I’m excited for the year ahead!
How does it feel to represent the Japanese K-pop scene as part of tripleS ∞!, and what do you hope to bring to the fans there?
Kotone: I don’t think that we are the representatives yet, but in the future as we continue to promote, I wish that I can truly feel the sense of representing the Japanese K-pop scene. I really want more opportunities to see our Japanese WAV to arise, and I hope that we can become a group that can not just deliver good music and performances, but also bring comfort.
Mayu: I feel honored to stand on stage as a Japanese member in the K-pop world, and I hope to connect more with our fans through a song that truly represents tripleS.
Could you describe the process of creating your debut song and music video? Were there any memorable moments during the production?
JiWoo: Since it’s the first Japanese unit of tripleS, it was my first time recording a song in Japanese and I remember all of us getting our Japanese pronunciation reviewed by Mayu and Kotone. It was really adorable because we turned into kindergarten kids practicing how to properly pronounce Japanese.
YooYeon: There’s a scene in the music video where I have to quickly grab the paper, but I kept hesitating and overthinking in that moment, which was captured on screen. I remember having to shoot that part several times.
How do you feel about the changing lineup of tripleS ∞! each year, and what does it mean to you to be part of a fluid, evolving group?
ChaeYeon: What I love the most about our concept is that I get to show a different side of me every time. “Wow! Kim ChaeYeon can also pull off this kind of thing!” That’s how I wish people would feel. That’s why every unit and every concept is precious to me.
ShiOn: I think that the new units that even we cannot predict, can bring yet new and diverse charms that you haven’t seen before. To be candid, I can’t say there are no difficulties that come with being in a group with as many members as ours, with parts that keep on changing among the members… but I think we are ever-evolving idols that continue to grow.
Your music often touches on both the light and dark sides of youth. How do you balance these contrasting themes in your performances and music?
SooMin: I was worried about not being able to convey the feelings that are expressed in our music on stage, the brightness and darkness of youth, just because I felt like I lacked a lot of experience and there were still many things that I didn’t know. However, since the first HAUS entry with all 23 members, through all the experiences, thoughts, and stages we’ve shared, the emotions and things I’ve felt during that process have been a great help in performing.
(Editor’s note: HAUS refers to the tripleS dorm)
ChaeWon: I think a lot about the meaning of the song and the lyrics I want to convey… I often think about how to deliver the message effectively.
Looking ahead, what can fans expect from tripleS ∞! in terms of music, performances, and concepts?
JiWoo: I believe that there are still so many sides of tripleS ∞! that we haven’t got the chance to showcase. tripleS itself is a group of many units with various concepts, as idols of infinite possibilities, tripleS ∞! will also show you many diverse concepts, songs and sides of us so please look forward to it!
Mayu: Please look forward to seeing us on various Japanese programs and Japan tours in the future!
As a group that’s redefining the K-pop scene, what do you think makes tripleS stand out, and what message do you want to share with your fans around the world?
ChaeYeon: I think that the never-done-before system that tripleS operates in, highlights our diverse colors and qualities. Within one team, there are so many different and charming units, and I believe that this diversity truly embodies the meaning of ‘One’ (one team). Also, in the future, I want to make sure that the strengths we have will leave a lasting impression on K-pop fans all around the world.
YooYeon: I think that what makes us, tripleS, stand out is the unlimited potential of the large-member group with diverse concepts! We hope fans around the world will watch over tripleS’s endless potential as we begin our journey. Please wait for the day we come to meet you in every corner of the world!