Candy Shop is Brave Entertainment's new girl group, consisting of SORAM, SUI, SARANG, and JULIA, and they're back with a speedy comeback only three months after their debut with the mini-album 'Hashtag#.' The group's name combines the phrase "catch and draw youth" with the word "shop" to complete the meaning of displaying the vibrancy of youth.

With their second mini-album, 'Girls Don't Cry,' Candy Shop (with members born from 2005 to 2008) continues to work on their goal of capturing the hearts of Gen Z. The record features two title songs: the dance track "Don't Cry" and the pop song "Tumbler (Hot & Cold)," as well as the B-side "Welcome To My World" and a remix version of their debut focus song "Good Girl."

Ahead of 'Girls Don't Cry's release, allkpop sat down with the members to talk about their first comeback, what inspired them to pursue the path, and more. Keep reading to learn more about Candy Shop!

Shout-out from Candy Shop to allkpop readers!

allkpop: Hi, Candy Shop! Could you please introduce yourselves first to the readers?

SORAM: Hi, I’m SORAM! I'm the all-rounder, charismatic leader on the stage, but in real life, I'm really down to earth. I have a charm that’s almost like a maknae!

SUI: Hi, I’m SUI! I emit bright energy and I have charms like the vitamins.

SARANG: Hi, I’m the lovable SARANG! I’m the main rapper but I’m also good at singing.

JULIA: I’m the adorable maknae JULIA!

allkpop: How does it feel to be making your first and speedy comeback?

SORAM: We had a comeback soon after we debuted so it's been very blissful. When we released our teasers, there were a lot of interactions and engagements from our fans which we are super stoked about.

SUI: I'm really happy and I'm looking forward to meeting our fans soon. I really want to hear the cheers on stage and interact with them.

SARANG: Every moment is like a blissful dream. I'm so happy that I'm going to meet our fans again on stage.

allkpop: Could you share with us things that you’ve learned from your debut preparations? How would you describe your growth?

SORAM: I still remember when I was in the recording studio working on the first album, I felt like there were a lot of parts I lacked in hindsight. During our first time doing so, there were certain difficulties. But this time, using that experience, we were able to have some good directing. We focused on the details. For example, we had to express our emotions and moods when delivering certain parts and nuances, including breathing and expression. It’s good that we can actually work on that and improve from it.

SARANG: Our CEO would always say, “You guys are going to be a star.” But we’ve noticed that it really is a long way before getting to the top. It’s a long journey in itself. So, we are working that much even harder. Also, we are eager to show our improved versions during our journey. For example, as you know, I'm a rapper, but this time, I did a lot of vocals. I tried using different expressions with my vocals, and I focused on charisma and delivery. This time I was also able to deliver a variety of emotions through my parts.

allkpop: I was wondering if you could share any memorable behind-the-scenes from the song recording to the music video shooting.

SUI: This time, I feel like I spilled a lot of emotions because the song “Don’t Cry” has a hopeful message. I think our voices and colors were much more important. When we were filming the music video, we showed that we were going through these difficult times that made us long for and try to pursue happiness. So, I acted that out with the emotions involved. What was interesting was during the filming, the CEO himself encouraged us. That was really uplifting.

JULIA: This was actually my first recording. Working with Brave Entertainment’s CEO was a big honor. He guided us through, so it was a very blissful moment.

allkpop: The first title track, “Don’t Cry,” is about you providing comfort to the listeners. For you, where do you get your strength and comfort from these days?

SORAM: For me, talking with the members is a big help. It's not that we discuss all our difficulties and troubles but just having a fun chat — that itself can serve as comfort. Also, I’m a big fan of TV shows and dramas. Watching those is also very comforting and I also draw inspiration from them. I also like letters, so whenever I receive a fan letter, I read it and get strength from it.

SUI: For me, I do like resting. I also think that the warm and encouraging words I get really help me. Recently, my parents have been telling me, “You can do it! I’ll always be by your side and cheer you on.”

allkpop: The second title track, “Tumbler (Hot & Cold),” is about love and passion. Could you share with us what got you into K-Pop and eventually pursue the career?

SARANG: Actually, my first dream was to become a national Taekwondo champion. When I was going to school, I had the opportunity to perform on stage. The round of applause really moved and touched me. And that was when I wanted to become an idol. I want to make performances that will touch people.

JULIA: Even from a younger age, I used to watch music programs on TV. That made me think that if I wanted to be one of those people on stage, I could give positive and uplifting energy to people. That was when I dreamed of becoming an idol.

SUI: Back in elementary school, I was able to perform, and my friends were cheering me on. That was when I noticed that I really liked the stage and I realized I wanted to become an idol.

SORAM: There's a thing that we do in Korea: when you’re still a baby, the family would put different items and then the baby would grab onto one of those. During my first birthday, I actually grabbed onto a mic, which I think is destiny, now that I’m a singer. I imagined myself being up on stage, hearing the loud cheers, and that really made me want to pursue this dream.

allkpop: I’ve watched the teaser and it features the beach. What’s one favorite thing or activity you love doing during the summer? [Note: the interview was conducted before the album release]

SORAM: There's a ritual in Korea where it says that you have to fight fire with fire, the heat with heat. During the summer, you need to fight the heat with heat. In Korea, there’s this Korean chicken soup called Samgyetang. That gives me energy and that's how I spend the summer.

SUI: I really like to chill by eating watermelon. I also enjoy going to waterparks, that's how I like to enjoy the summer.

SARANG: I really like swimming. I always do that during the summer.

JULIA: I like surfing during the summer!

allkpop: Since there’s a song titled “Welcome To My World,” could you walk us through what the Candy Shop world looks like? If you could pick one song that’s perfect to introduce Candy Shop to someone, which song would it be?

SORAM: We want to give a sense of comfort to the fans, so that’s why I would pick our title song “Don't Cry” to introduce Candy Shop to everyone.

SUI: The song from the album called “Welcome To My World.” I think it really represents us, so I want to pick that song to introduce us to someone. There are also lyrics that go “Sweet and so sweet. Welcome to the Candy Shop.” I believe those really represent us.

JULIA: I think “Welcome To My World” is a song that represents us well.

SARANG: For me, I think it’s “Hashtag#.” The lyrics represent us very well. For example, “Candy shop will take you to a rainbow.” Our rainbow charms will really take you to it. I hope that our rainbow charms will lure you into our world!

allkpop: Which K-Pop artists influenced you to pursue this career, which one would you love to collaborate with?

SORAM: For me, my role models are Yeji of ITZY and Winter of aespa, so I would love to collaborate with them!

SUI: For me, it’s aespa. They do super cool activities and music, I think that's what draws me to them. And I would like to learn from them!

SARANG: For me, it would be Jang Wonyoung of IVE. Not only does she speak different languages, but I think she's someone who can emotionally sympathize, give a certain emotional appeal to the fans, and give such energy. That's what I like about her.

SORAM: SARANG is hardworking in terms of practicing and learning languages. Even in our dancing studio, you can see her studying Japanese and Chinese.

JULIA: I would personally like to have a collaboration with TWICE. What they do… everything is well distinguished. I feel like they are perfect in every sense. TWICE is the group I aspire to learn from.

allkpop: If you could write a message for your future selves and then open that letter perhaps in the next few years, what would you tell them?

SORAM: For me, I want to ask, “How have you spent those 10 years? Did you get to achieve those dreams? And what is your next dream?” I feel like I'd ask myself more realistic questions.

SUI: I’m curious about what will happen in the next 5 years. I wonder how I'll be and what I'll be doing. I want to know in advance how I’ll improve as a person.

SARANG: I want to write a letter to myself after 50 years and I just want to say one thing: “You worked hard.”

JULIA: Mine is similar to SUI in the sense that I wonder what I'll be doing after 5 years. I'm thinking about us having improved and grown. Thinking about that is already making me excited.

allkpop: Lastly, please leave a message for allkpop readers and your fans.

SORAM: I think Candy Shop is a very colorful group with members with various talents. We talk about lots of stuff and topics through our music that a lot of Gen Z could relate to and sympathize with. If you look at us, we have members who are into songwriting, members who study different languages, and who are into acting. We have these various talents so we hope for your love and support!

SUI: We have colorful charms. We are always ready to emit such high and bright energy, so we hope you guys can start following us and be captivated by our charms soon.

SARANG: Once you get into and fall in love with Candy Shop’s charms, you can never get out. Everyone is welcome but it's hard to get out!

JULIA: We've been working hard on this album, so we hope for your love and support. We hope that you can listen to our music and feel comfort as well as energy!

Socials:
Twitter: @BRAVE_CandyShop | @CandyShop_JPN
Instagram: @brave_candyshop
TikTok: @brave.candyshop
YouTube: Candy Shop
Facebook: Candy Shop