CSR (First Love) is a seven-member girl group that debuted on July 27, 2022, under A2Z Entertainment, consisting of members GEUMHEE, SIHYEON, SEOYEON, YUNA, DUNA, SUA, and YEHAM. The septet released its first mini-album 'Sequence : 7272' which features the title song "Pop? Pop!".

After finishing their youth film when they were 17 years old, the 18-year-old girls embark on a new journey in CSR's most recent release, 'DELIGHT,' in an effort to complete the journey and comprehend the significance of the light following each album. CSR will ultimately learn that they themselves have been shining brightly through their first "journey of light," which begins this spring.

The EP has four songs in total, including the title track, "Shining Bright," which discusses how people should set their own paths and shine on their own rather than attempting to determine their own worth through various outside sources and the external environment, as well as the B-side songs "Eighteen (Signal)," "Picnic," and "Dandelion."

CSR was interviewed by allkpop about their recent comeback, entering the industry at such a young age, their past experiences as idols, and other topics. Read on to learn more about CSR! If you prefer, you can watch the full interview in the video below.

allkpop: First of all, I want to congratulate you on your comeback with a new single album! Could you please elaborate more on what you hope to convey with your new album 'DELIGHT'? 

DUNA: The main track of our mini 2nd album, "DELIGHT," "Shining Bright," is a song about our everlasting, shining presence which will never be forgotten, and the meaning of our album is to share our unique and bright energy with the audience.

allkpop: CSR (첫사랑 - chosarang) means "first love" in Korean. Do you remember the first time you fell in love with music and realized you wanted to make it your career?

YEHAM: I fell in love with music and KPOP, while watching TAEYEON sunbaenim from Girl’s Generation. I watched the music video of TAEYEON’s song called "I" and it was so beautiful and breathtaking. And I hoped that I could sing as beautifully as her.

SUA: Well, I attended a dance academy for the first time when I was in 5th grade. I learned a choreography from BLACKPINK called "As If It's Your Last," so that was the song which made me want to become a KPOP idol.

allkpop: 'Delight' contains a total of four tracks, could you please tell us a little bit more about each of the tracks? Which one of these is your personal favorite?

SUA: Our 2nd mini album "DELIGHT" consists of 4 tracks. The first track, "Eighteen (Signal)," has a theme based on our age. The second track is our main track "Shining Bright." And our third track is "Picnic," which is meant as a break during our journey to the light. And lastly, a fan song for our MAEUMs, "Dandelion." My personal favorite is "Dandelion" which I would like to play for our MAEUMs so much! Tqhe heartwarming lyrics and melody make me think of our MAEUMs, so I hope our fans love this song!

allkpop: The title track, "Shining Bright," is a song that inspires courage and love in people who doubt or lower their worth. Do you have anything to say to people who are currently in this stage of their lives or are experiencing similar events?

YUNA: If you are going through a hard time, it might be hard to listen to what other people say. But please remember that we are always with you, and we are certain that you will shine bright one day, so please cheer up! 

allkpop: Are there any fun and interesting stories from the filming of the music video and recording of the songs? What were the most exciting and challenging parts of preparing for this album?

SEOYEON: While recording, there were some group parts like "Hey, ho!" "Shining bright~" We had many group parts like this. And we recorded as a unit, with one headset each, and it was so much fun, so I remember that our recording session was a lot of fun

allkpop: CSR's sound is mostly playful, with a lot of bright energy and feel-good vibes. Is there any musical genre besides the aforementioned genres that you would like to try in the future if the opportunity arose?

SIHYEON: We would like to try various genres, but especially among our sunbaenims, just like WJSN CHOCOME, we would like to try bright, cute, and cheery concept, and develop such unit.

allkpop: Going back to the album: 'Delight' is an album that marks the end of your youth film when you were 17 years old. You spent some, if not the majority, of your youth preparing to be an idol. The members trained for years before making their debut. With everything that has happened, how did you find your youth stage of life? Did you have any regrets or did you have the most fun?

SUA: First of all, the perks of practicing together as trainees was working together with friends for our dream, which was a lot of fun, and setting my own path and working hard for it was very meaningful. What’s hard for me was that after school I couldn’t go play with friends. That was a bit difficult, but now I’m happy to finally fulfill my dreams.

allkpop: 2023 is a notable year for CSR members because you have all turned 18 or will be turning 18 this year, signaling a new beginning for all of you! Since the age of 18 marks the beginning of adulthood, what are one or two things you have learned in your life that you believe will be the most useful? It could be from your life experience or your artistic career.

DUNA: I personally think that positive mentality is very important. No matter how hard the challenge or obstacles are, if you think positively, you can get through it, so I recommend thinking positively!

allkpop: CSR debuted in July of 2022. It's been only 8 months since your debut and you've already had 2 comebacks, one with 'Sequence: 17&' and now with 'Delight.' How have you found your experience as idols in the K-Pop industry? Is there anything you noticed the moment you stepped into the K-Pop scene?

SEOYEON: First of all, I’m experiencing so many new things while working as a K-Pop idol, and naturally I am learning a lot of new things. I love becoming more mature and learning new things with the members!

allkpop: COVID-19 restrictions had been somehow relaxed by the time you made your debut. You were able to perform on stages such as on music shows and meet your fans in person. How do you feel about being able to perform in front of people?

YEHAM: When we were still trainees, we worried a lot about how COVID crisis would affect our debut. We are so happy that the restrictions have been relieved after our debut, and we could meet our fans more frequently and closely. I wish that we could meet our MAEUMs in healthy conditions frequently.

allkpop: We were wondering how you encourage and cheer each other on during difficult times and when you are so busy with promotions, performances, comebacks, and the like.

YUNA: When we are having a hard time or feeling down, we raise ourselves up, so we wouldn’t get depressed. And we do this by dancing or singing together, and we also play games to enjoy ourselves.

allkpop: Do you have any artists in mind with whom you would like to collaborate in the future?

YEHAM: I would like to collaborate with the groups in our company. I wish to get songs from Yoon Sang Sunbaenim, and perform with Kei and Ailee sunbaenims to make an amazing vocal unit.

allkpop: Is there anything else you'd like to say to your fans all over the world who are reading and watching this interview?

SUA: Our MAEUMs from all around the world! Thanks for your love and support. We will pay it back with great performances and music, so please show your love for this album and listen to it~ We love you~.

Official Accounts:
Daum Cafe Page: @csr.official
Instagram: @csr.offcl
Facebook: @첫사랑 CSR
TikTok: @csr.offcl
Twitter: @CSR_offcl
YouTube: @첫사랑(CSR)