Debuted in 2020, the multinational girl group BLACKSWAN (Fatou, Gabi, Sriya, and NVee) continues "roll up" the game with their second release as four members following some changes in the group's lineup.

One year after dropping the single album, 'That Karma,' in May 2023 and partaking in numerous schedules, including their appearance at the 'Waterbomb Festival,' BLACKSWAN has come back, now with much more fierce and confidence. 'Roll Up' marks their first mini-album, featuring the title track of the same name and sidetracks "C'est Jamais Vue," "Double Down," and "La Boum."

Throughout the four years of staying and solidifying their name as BLACKSWAN, the girls have gone through the joys and hardships of being idols that helped them reach where they are today. Such situations were shared by the members themselves in Apple TV+'s documentary, 'K-Pop Idols.'

'K-Pop Idols,' produced by Boat Rocker’s Matador Content with executive producers Todd Lubin and Jack Turner, alongside Jay Peterson, Bradley Cramp, Chris Kasick, Eric Yujin Kim, Sue Kim, and Elise Chung, is a six-episode series that follows BLACKSWAN, along with Jessi and CRAVITY, through the path they walk on to be able to achieve their dreams, offering a behind-the-scenes look at their journey. Amidst such difficulties, the girls told allkpop that what pushes them is just their love and passion for music. "As well as the love we get from our fans, LUMINA," added Fatou.

allkpop caught up with BLACKSWAN to discuss 'K-Pop Idols' and pursuing their dreams. Read our exclusive interview with them below.

allkpop: First of all, could you please tell us how you feel about participating in 'KPOP IDOLS,' showing what’s happening backstage? I actually appreciate your honesty throughout the documentary. How did you feel about showing yourself in this kind of project?

NVee: We are all very grateful to be able to be part of such a big project and show the global side of K-Pop. K-Pop is becoming very popular globally. So, we’re grateful to be able to show the beginning of BLACKSWAN and to have everyone see the whole journey and evolution of us; to see so many different sides of K-Pop as well, including the performing side, the training side, and the behind-the-scenes. There are a lot of things that you will be able to see, so I think we’re very grateful and excited for everyone to watch it!

allkpop: The group has gone through changes since debut, and the best thing amid all of this is that you guys stayed as BLACKSWAN. As Fatou said in the documentary, it would be hard because it felt like you needed to start over again. How have the adjustments been so far?

Gabi: The group came with changes, and I think each of the members who have gone through the group was and is able to share something good, something that we could learn from. They have their own… They put something in the group. And because of them, we are able to stand here today.

allkpop: What made you decide to take on the challenge of being a K-pop idol? Being one, you have to make a lot of sacrifices. What mindset do you have that was able to let your passion and dream overpower all the negative things?

Fatou: I’m pretty sure that this answer, you will probably get it very very detailed when you watch the documentary. But it’s just the love that we have for music, the passion we have for music. As well as the love we get from our fans, LUMINA, and the passion we get from them. It just keeps us going. Also, we have each other obviously, so whenever we’re having a hard time, we go to each other and we talk. We cry if we have to cry. And we have our family! I miss you!

Gabi and Sriya: Even if they’re far!

Sriya and Fatou: They’re still here!

Fatou: We can feel them! Also, our staff, our company helps us go through all these things. Together, we just work it out!

Members: Yeah!

allkpop: As you know, being a K-Pop star demands nothing but perfection. So I wanted to ask you, as idols, what “perfect” actually means to you now you work within the industry. How has your mindset on that aspect changed over time?

Sriya: I think for me, it’s always to stay on the ground because we always have to put our hundred percent or 200% on stage. We always practice. We have to practice a thousand percent to at least bring 200% of that on stage. I think it’s never enough on stage. It’s never perfect because every stage makes us learn something. We watch each of the videos from every stage and see what we have to fix next. We always catch details that we have to do better at next time when we go on stage again. We always try to do our best, but it’s never perfect actually.

Fatou: You also watch and listen to the documentary too! We… I’m not going to say anything.

(members laugh)

Fatou: Watch it! Watch it!

allkpop: It’s just been a few years since you debuted and I know you have already been making names for yourselves, you’ve already inspired a lot of people. What do you want people to remember or know about you?

Gabi: With this documentary, I also want [them] to know that even though on camera, it looks like a perfect life, we also go through hard things. We are also human beings like everyone. I want them to know that there is also this other side of the idol life.

Sriya: There’s always a door between reality and expectations.

allkpop: To wrap things up: what does success look like and mean to you?

Fatou: For us, as long as our supporters enjoy our music. As long as we bring something to real life, be it happiness or anything. That’s success for me personally.

Sriya: I think it’s the same as Fatou said. It’s more about being on stage and sharing the same feelings with our fans, giving them the message we feel. We want to keep them.

NVee: To add to the line of this, this is also to kind of make ourselves up all the time. Even though we try to get things to be perfect. We should always say, “Oh, how can I be better than I was yesterday?” With the love and support of our family, our friends, and our fans, we are able to go through and do that as BLACKSWAN members. With our members, we should be able to be better.