Interview: tripleS Hatch! Talk Debut Japanese EP “SecretHimitsuBimil” - Page 2

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tripleS ∞!_artist photo Large — tripleS Hatch! Promotional photo — Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

As part of the ever-expanding universe of tripleS, sub-unit Hatch! marks a major milestone with their first Japanese EP, SecretHimitsuBimil — a project that highlights both the group’s growth and their unique chemistry.

We caught up with all eight members to learn more about their debut Japanese release and their journey as Hatch!.

Introductions

SH: Hello, and thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. To start, could you please say hello to the readers of Selective Hearing and introduce yourselves?

tripleS-Hatchi-S3-S4 — tripleS Hatch! Promotional photo — Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

JiWoo: Hello! I’m JiWoo, the dependable member of tripleS Hatch!, and I play the role of the group’s “cool rock.”

ChaeYeon: Hello, I’m ChaeYeon, the professional idol and “Isul-i noona” of tripleS Hatch!

tripleS-Hatchi-S5-S6 — tripleS Hatch! Promotional photo — Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

YooYeon: Hello, I’m YooYeon, the bunny of tripleS Hatch!

SooMin: Hello, I’m SooMin! Our tripleS Japanese unit Hatch! is releasing a new album, so please give it lots of love and attention~

tripleS-Hatchi-S11-S16 — tripleS Hatch! Promotional photo — Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

Kotone: Hello, I’m Kotone, the Tokyo girl of tripleS. 🙂

Mayu: Hello! I’m Mayu, the cute leader of Hatch!

tripleS-Hatchi-S20-S21 — tripleS Hatch! Promotional photo — Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

ShiOn: Hello~ I’m ShiOn, member S20 of tripleS, with a charming voice!

ChaeWon: Hello, readers of Selective Hearing! I’m ChaeWon, member S21 of tripleS, also known as the strawberry princess! 🍓

SH: For readers who may be hearing tripleS for the first time, how would you describe Hatch! and what makes you stand out as a group?

Mayu: We’re a Japanese unit of eight members selected by fan voting within tripleS, and our promotion period is one year. I think our charm lies in the comfort and family-like atmosphere we provide. Spending that time together as eight members has made us really close and understanding of one another, and I think our fans can feel that too.

About the New EP

tripleS ∞!_SecretHimitsuBimil_digital Large — tripleS Hatch! Promotional photo — Photo courtesy of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.

SH: First of all, congratulations on releasing your very first Japanese EP, SecretHimitsuBimil! The title mixes English, Japanese, and Korean — what story or feeling did you want it to express?

ChaeYeon: The EP SecretHimitsuBimil depicts the “secrets” hidden deep in a girl’s heart. The title’s mix of English, Japanese, and Korean represents emotions and inner storms that can’t be fully expressed in just one language — it shows that depth and complexity.

Following up on that theme of emotion and honesty, we asked Hatch! about how the album compares to their earlier work.

SH: Your debut song Untitled showed a more youthful and introspective side of Hatch!, while the new lead single, Password feels brighter and more confident. How do you feel about this change in concept and mood, and what does it mean for Hatch!’s growth as a group?

JiWoo: If Untitled had a slightly dark vibe, then Password has a very bright and cheerful one. We’re happy to try and showcase different concepts, and it feels rewarding to see how we’ve grown to confidently handle any style.

Member Perspectives

Recording an album entirely in another language can be a major challenge — especially for a multinational group like Hatch! We asked both the Korean and Japanese members about their experiences with the project.

SH: For the Korean members: this was your first time recording a full album entirely in Japanese. What was the most challenging or memorable part of that experience?

YooYeon: Japanese pronunciation was a bit difficult, so I listened to Kotone’s takes on the same parts many times while recording. Even with a guide track, singing it yourself in the moment feels completely different.

SH: For the Japanese members: how does it feel to release Hatch!’s first Japanese EP — and tripleS’s first original Japanese album — in your home country?

Kotone: It’s amazing because it feels like one of my long-held dreams has come true. Until now, we have mostly released and performed songs in Korean, so singing and releasing a Japanese song feels both new and a little strange, haha.

Songs and Performances

With a mix of playful, emotional, and experimental tracks, SecretHimitsuBimil captures many sides of Hatch!’s personality.

SH: Besides the lead single Password, fans have been buzzing about Headphones, Oshare, and TOKYO. Which songs on SecretHimitsuBimil are your personal favourites, and why?

SooMin: My favourite is TOKYO! The moment I first heard it, I was drawn to the catchy melody and the charming lyrics that blended Korean and Japanese elements. It was also the most fun song to record, so I think that’s why I’m especially attached to it.

SH: If you had to choose one song that best represents the mood and world of SecretHimitsuBimil, which would it be and why?

ChaeYeon: My personal favourite track is Tokimetique, but I think the song that represents the album’s overall mood is definitely the title track, Password. Both its sound and lyrics connect directly to the EP’s theme.

SH: When you think about performing these songs live, which songs are you most excited to share with WAV, and why?

ShiOn: Definitely Password, our comeback title song! It really captures the essence of Hatch!, and I think the lyrics — about knocking to find out someone’s heart — are super cute. I’m excited to perform it for our fans!

The Playful Side of Hatch!

Before wrapping up, we switched to a lighter tone — asking Hatch! about their music picks, favourite things, and a few fun moments with fans.

SH: Are there any artists or songs you’ve been listening to lately that you’d recommend to our readers?

Kotone: Recently, I’ve been watching Chainsaw Man, so I’ve been listening to Kenshi Yonezu’s IRIS OUT a lot.

ChaeWon: I really like the song Ride by Wave to Earth. I often listen to it at night before going to sleep — it’s the perfect way to end the day!

SH: You’ll soon hold your first fan event, the 1st FANMEETING in Japan, SSSch∞! in Tokyo. What are you most looking forward to during your time in Tokyo? Anything you’d like to do or eat while you’re there?

ChaeWon: I’m really happy and excited to meet the Tokyo WAVs, and that’s honestly what I’m looking forward to the most! I’m also a big fan of Japanese convenience store food, so I’m eager to try all the new seasonal items!

SH: Before we get your closing comments to your fans, one last question: Who are you? 😆
(Editor’s Note: This refers to the playful inside joke among members.)

JiWoo: Who do you think I am?

YooYeon: “Who are you?” — this reminds me of Dahyun, haha!

Closing Thoughts

SH: Finally, could you share a message for your fans worldwide who have been waiting and supporting you for this EP?

JiWoo: Hatch! is the first tripleS unit to make a comeback, and I’m so excited that we get to show our new side and songs. Thank you so much to WAVs who’ve been waiting and cheering for us — we’ll keep showing you even more amazing sides of tripleS, so please stay with us for a long time!

ChaeYeon: I’d like to once again thank everyone who supports tripleS. I hope we can continue to be part of your journey going forward. Thank you so much!

YooYeon: I want to send all my love to everyone who waited for Hatch!’s comeback album. It’s full of Hatch!’s special colours and personality — you’ll feel that we’ve grown closer and more united than we were with Untitled! Thank you so much, and I look forward to seeing you soon!

SooMin: Thank you so much to all the WAVs who waited for our new music! We’ll repay your love and support with great performances and songs. We love you, WAV~

Kotone: Since this is Hatch!’s first comeback as a tripleS unit, I hope WAVs will listen to it a lot — it’s full of cute songs! When you listen, I hope you’ll also feel cute yourself while enjoying it, haha. Love you! 💗

Mayu: To all the WAVs around the world who waited for our Hatch! comeback — thank you so much! I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude for all your love and support, even from a distance. Please keep watching and loving Hatch! WAV, I love you♡

ShiOn: WAV~! Thank you so much for waiting for us and liking us! We worked really hard with happy hearts, so I hope you’ll enjoy listening with happy hearts too!

ChaeWon: I think this album really captures each member’s individuality and Hatch!’s unique colour! Since this will be our last album as Hatch!, I hope it will let us be remembered for a long time. Please give it lots of love~

Special thanks to Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Modhaus for their kind support in arranging this interview. tripleS Hatch!’s first Japanese EP, SecretHimitsuBimil, is available now on all major streaming platforms. Fans can also purchase the physical edition at select retailers and online.