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Before VVS even made their April 2025 debut, there was already enough buzz about this international girl group that they were featured in Billboard magazine and CNN. Now, they’re ready to show the world what they can do. Their infectiously catchy single, “Tea,” is accompanied by a cinematic noir music video that includes sword fights, roundhouse kicks and gun battles. With stunts choreographed by “John Wick” action director Koji Kawamoto, the video showcases the quintet’s versatility as both singers and performers. “It’s not like a traditional K-pop video,” said group leader Brittney, who spent part of her childhood growing up in the United States. “All our members are secret agents on their individual missions that lead us to meet each other for the first time in the agency safehouse. ‘Tea’ presents a double meaning. The first is the literal action of drinking tea. The second is ‘spilling the tea,’ suggesting that VVS is the tea.”

All five members participated in this interview from Seoul. It has been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Brittney, when did you live in the U.S.?

Brittney: I was born in South Korea and moved to Orange County, California, when I was young. I lived in the U.S. for about eight years and moved back to Korea when I was 15. At first, I was afraid to go back to Korea to pursue my dream of becoming a K-pop idol. But once I arrived back in Korea, I knew it was the right choice.

Q: You were in Japan to film your music video for “Tea” in Japan. Did you have time to wander around when you weren’t working?

Rana: In the mornings, I took walks with Ilee. On the last day, we all went shopping together. Since I’m Japanese, I tried my best to help the members and staff as much as I could.

Q: What childhood trip still stands out?

Brittney: I went on a lot of trips when I was a child, but If I had to pick one it would be a trip that I took to Dubai. I loved it. The ocean was beautiful and I felt like everywhere I went was so fancy. However, one thing I had trouble with was Dubai’s heat. It was my first time experiencing a very hot country, so I remember being so tanned when I came back from the trip.

Ilee: I have vivid memories of traveling to Europe with my family when I was young. Now, I really enjoy and eat Western food well, but back then I was a hardcore Korean food lover. I remember eating at local restaurants in Europe and then rushing back to the hotel to devour rice with seaweed. But I still can’t forget how beautiful and amazing the streets of Rome in Italy and the scenery of Jungfrau in Switzerland were. They left a lasting impression on me.

Rana: When I was little, my family and I used to travel to Guam a lot. I remember having so much fun because the ocean was so beautiful. The people were really kind. I was totally shocked the first time I tried spam musubi in Guam. It was so good that even after we got back home, I kept asking my mom to make it for me.

Jiu: I remember the first time I traveled to Busan with my family. It was our first time there, so we visited a market, went to the beach and took photos together. It was such a happy time. I especially remember going to eat gukbap – rice soup – in Busan. I could really tell that Busan’s gukbap is something special. It was so delicious that I still remember the taste to this day.

Liwon: When I was young, I used to go to the Korean rivers a lot. At that time, I didn’t know much, so I just ran around and played in the water. But I remember bumping into rocks and getting hurt. What I still remember clearly is that we went there with my dad’s friends from his company and they let us ride on tubes in the river and gave us delicious food. Those memories are still vivid in my mind!

Q: Where do you recommend tourists visit in Korea?

Jiu: Haenggung-dong [in Suwon]! I live in Suwon, so I used to go there often. Every time I went, it felt so pretty and new, like a fairytale village. There are also tons of great restaurants. I also recommend visiting [Mong Ted Cafe], the house featured in the famous K-drama “Lovely Runner.” It’s a popular photo spot.

Q: If you've ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?

Rana: I went to Disneyland when I was five years old with my family for my birthday. I remember wearing a dress and tiny heels all day thinking I was a princess there.

Ilee: When I was in middle school, I went camping with my family for Christmas. My parents love camping, but my sisters and I weren’t that into it. Even so, I have such pleasant memories of that camping trip – the warm atmosphere, Christmas carols playing inside the tent and the beautiful Christmas cake.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?

Brittney: I really want to visit Paris. My mom and my sisters went there recently and told me how great it was. They also brought me back a lot of cute clothes and items from Paris, so I want to visit there and shop and eat delicious food.

Ilee: I want to visit Bali. Most of my overseas trips have been during the cold winter, so I’m really looking forward to going somewhere warm. I’ve heard so many people recommend Bali as a great travel destination, so I’m curious about it.

Rana: I really want to visit the Maldives. I’m scared of the sea, but I love looking at the ocean.

Jiu: Lucerne in Switzerland. I’d love to go there to relax and heal when I’m feeling tired or stressed.

Liwon: Kota Kinabalu [in Malaysia]. The scenery there is so beautiful. I want to try everything that Kota Kinabalu has to offer.

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(Jae-Ha Kim is a New York Times bestselling author and journalist. You can reach her at www.jaehakim.com, follow her on Instagram and X @goawaywithjae, or read more from her on Substack (jaehakim.substack.com).)

©2025 Jae-Ha Kim. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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