J.Y. Park Breaks Silence With Long-Anticipated Update On VCHA
In 2023, JYP Entertainment and Republic Records‘ collaborative audition program A2K (America 2 Korea) aired. The show’s goal was to debut an American girl group trained under the K-Pop system, ultimately producing the diverse girl group VCHA, consisting of Lexi, Camila, Kaylee, KG, Kendall, and Savanna.
The group appeared to have a hopeful start, as they debuted in January 2024 with the single “Girls of the Year,” which currently sits at 9.7 million views on YouTube.
The group also joined TWICE on their 5th World Tour Ready To Be, opening for the group this year.
Yet, fans became fearful for VCHA’s future after a series of unfortunate events.
Shortly after VCHA released their second single in March, the group was announced to perform at 2024 Lollapalooza Chicago, a fantastic opportunity that excited their fans. Yet, on July 19, an update was released stating that VCHA would no longer perform at the festival.
JUST ADDED 👏 Catch Daniel Seavey, The Stews, and Yot Club take the Lolla stage in just a couple weeks!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, VCHA, Tommy Richman, and Fridayy will not be able to perform this year. pic.twitter.com/ZdX8WzqGBE
— Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza) July 19, 2024
Additionally, in March, VCHA’s maknae Kaylee entered an indefinite health-related hiatus. While updates were promised regarding Kaylee, there have been little to none.
Hello, this is JYPE.
We would like to inform you about VCHA member Kaylee’s participation in upcoming VCHA’s activities.
Due to a health condition, Kaylee will be taking a hiatus from upcoming VCHA activities until further notice.
We will provide further updates regarding the resumption of Kaylee’s activities.
We will continue to place the highest priority on our artist’s health and ask for your support in Kaylee’s full recovery.
Thank you.
— JYP Entertainment
[Information about Kaylee's Further Partcipation in VCHA Activity]
Hello, this is JYPE.
We would like to inform you about VCHA member Kaylee’s participation in upcoming VCHA’s activities.
Due to a health condition, Kaylee will be taking a hiatus from upcoming VCHA activities…
— VCHA (@Official_VCHA) March 11, 2024
There have been very few updates via social media accounts. The last time the group posted on TikTok was in June.
@vcha
Likewise, the last time a member updated Instagram was in June.
View this post on Instagram
The inactivity and lack of updates made their fandom fearful. They worried about the future of VCHA.
i'm tired of asking nicely…WHERE IS VCHA! WHERE ARE THEY pic.twitter.com/m1QDr5pNZ8
— l🥪🧃 (@yerimsaurora) November 18, 2024
where are these diva’s 💜 @Official_VCHA #whereisvcha pic.twitter.com/0H8a3JVIMy
— Jae | vlight 🌟 (@vchagirlss) September 26, 2024
ITS BEEN 6 MONTHS JYPE
WHERE IS KAYLEE?
WHERE IS VCHA?#WhereIsVCHA #VCHA @jypnation @RepublicRecords @Official_VCHA pic.twitter.com/RUACrtR19E— luvsnay ꕤ (@miioshix) September 16, 2024
I'm tired of JYP, focus on ur remaining groups and their career, where is. VCHA?? Jyp has many groups those need to be promoted well, but they keep debuting more groups… https://t.co/mMApAY0wlo
— °꙳✧ꕤ 𝑱𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑣𝑎ꕤ ✧°꙳ (@Jitova07) November 14, 2024
Yet, all the social media accounts have now been updated. After midnight EST on November 22, VCHA’s social media manager shared happy birthday wishes for Lexi.
🎂Happy Birthday Lexi#VCHA #VLIGHTS #Lexi #HappyLexiDay pic.twitter.com/czDjnaf1cp
— VCHA (@Official_VCHA) November 22, 2024
While it was an exciting update, the accounts have consistently shared birthday wishes for the members amid the silence. Still, it’s the first update in months.
However, we finally have a substantial update that is enough to give VCHA’s fans hope. According to Jeff Benjamin, J.Y. Park (also known as JYP, The Asian Soul, and Park Jin Young) addressed the press on a media day in Los Angeles today for The 2024 MAMA Awards, confirming that VCHA would make their comeback next year. He revealed the group will return in 2025 with a rebranding, returning with new music and visuals. This includes a new album!
We are preparing for full activities next year for VCHA. Our plan is to differentiate this group form our existing #Kpop artists with special and unique contents. The prep period is taking a little longer than usual because the preparation effort is taking longer than expected.
— J.Y. Park via Jeff Benjamin
"We are preparing for full activities next year for VCHA. Our plan is to differentiate this group form our existing #Kpop artists with special and unique contents. The prep period is taking a little longer than usual because the preparation effort is taking longer than expected"…
— Jeff Benjamin (@Jeff__Benjamin) November 21, 2024
Jeff Benjamin also reported that another reporter inquired about whether there was a chance we could see VCHA take the stage next year and if all members could join. J.Y. Park emphasized wanting to keep them authentic to their respective cultures rather than make them “K-Pop.” He wants them to be true to themselves rather than adhere to “JYP” standards.
I wanted to make sure they’re not K-pop as far as music and visual. Even though, they’r[e] produced by a K-pop company, I don’t want them to be K-pop, I want them to be what they are. They’re not born and raised in Korea, they’re not influenced by Korean culture, they are talented kids who are born and raised here [in the United States]. We are trying to make sure the next upcoming album is themselves. Unlike our K-pop and Korean artists, I think the creative teams will be a combination with American producers, musicians, choreographers, and making sure it’s them. It’s going to be very different. The new music, the album, the new video will be very different from JYP.
— J.Y. Park via Jeff Benjamin
"I wanted to make sure they're not K-pop as far as music and visual. Even though, they'r produced by a K-pop company, I don't want them to be K-pop, I want them to be what they are. They're not born and raised in Korea, they're not influenced by Korean culture, they are talented…
— Jeff Benjamin (@Jeff__Benjamin) November 21, 2024
Previously, in October, there were some rumors that VCHA would make a comeback after a “JYP Entertainment insider” claimed the group would return from hiatus, reportedly after receiving additional training and recovering from health-related hiatuses.
According to Lee Kihoon, the research analysts of Hana Securities, VCHA is set to resume its group activities by 2025.
“In the case of VCHA, there were health issues for the members, but activities will resume next year.”#VCHA #비춰 @Official_VCHA pic.twitter.com/qBlIHDVYTF
— VCHA UNION (@VCHAGlobalUnion) October 14, 2024
A JYP Entertainment insider has confirmed that VCHA will soon make their return to the public eye. The group is currently on a brief hiatus to further their training before resuming their activities.
JYP executive Jung stated, “VCHA will be back in the early quarter of next… pic.twitter.com/v2XZJ4DVlL
— valentina (@seoheedoll) October 10, 2024
We look forward to seeing VCHA’s comeback!
