In 2023, JYP entertainment AND Registers of the Republiccollaborative audition program A2K (America 2 Korea) aired. The goal of the show was to debut an American girl group trained in the K-Pop system, ultimately producing the diverse girl group VCHAcomposed of Lexi, Camila, Kaylee, KG, Kendall, AND Savannah.
The group seemed to be off to a promising start, as they debuted in January 2024 with the single “Girls of the Year,” which currently has 9.7 million views on YouTube.
The group also joined TWICE The fifth world tour is readyopening for the group this year.
However, fans began to fear for VCHA’s future after a series of unfortunate events.
Shortly after VCHA released their second single in March, it was announced that the group would be performing at 2024 Lollapalooza Chicago, a fantastic opportunity that thrilled their fans. However, on July 19, an update was released stating that VCHA would no longer be performing at the festival.
JUST ADDED 👏 See Daniel Seavey, The Stews and Yot Club on the Lolla stage in a couple of weeks!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, VCHA, Tommy Richman and Fridayy will not be able to perform this year. pic.twitter.com/ZdX8WzqGBE
— Lollapalooza (@lollapalooza) July 19, 2024
Also, in March, VCHA Sense Kaylee he entered an indefinite hiatus for health reasons. While updates have been promised regarding Kaylee, there have been few to none.
Hi, I’m JYPE.
We would like to inform you about VCHA member Kaylee’s participation in upcoming VCHA activities.
Due to a health issue, Kaylee will be taking a break from upcoming VCHA activities until further notice.
We will provide further updates regarding Kaylee’s resumption of activities.
We will continue to place the highest priority on our artist’s health and ask for your support in Kaylee’s full recovery.
Thank you.
—JYP Entertainment
[Information about Kaylee’s Further Partcipation in VCHA Activity]
Hi, I’m JYPE.
We would like to inform you about VCHA member Kaylee’s participation in upcoming VCHA activities.
Due to a health issue, Kaylee will be taking a break from upcoming VCHA activities…
— VCHA (@Official_VCHA) March 11, 2024
There have been very few updates via social media accounts. The last time the group posted on TikTok was in June.
@vcha #lalaland #VCHA #VLIGHTS #OnlyOne #Microsoft
♬ Another sunny day – user64184118679
Likewise, the last time a member updated Instagram was in June.
The inactivity and lack of updates have made their fandom scary. They were concerned about the future of the VCHA.
I’m tired of asking nicely…WHERE IS VCHA! WHERE I AM pic.twitter.com/m1QDr5pNZ8
— l🥪🧃 (@yerimsaurora) November 18, 2024
where are these divas 💜 @Official_VCHA #doveisvcha pic.twitter.com/0H8a3JVIMy
— Jae | vlight 🌟 (@vchagirlss) September 26, 2024
IT’S BEEN 6 MONTHS JYPE
WHERE IS KAYLEE?
WHERE IS THE VCHA?#WhereisVCHA #VCHA @jypnation @RepublicRecords @Official_VCHA pic.twitter.com/RUACrtR19E— luvsnay ꕤ (@miioshix) September 16, 2024
I’m tired of JYP, focus on your remaining groups and their career, where it is. VCHA?? Jyp has many groups that need to be promoted well, but they keep debuting more groups… https://t.co/mMApAY0wlo
— °꙳✧ꕤ 𝑱𝑖𝑡𝑜𝑣𝑎ꕤ ✧°꙳ (@Jitova07) November 14, 2024
However, all social media accounts have now been updated. After midnight EST on November 22, VCHA’s social media manager shared happy birthday wishes for Lexi.
🎂Happy birthday Lexi#VCHA #VLIGHTS #Lexi #HappyLexiDay pic.twitter.com/czDjnaf1cp
— VCHA (@Official_VCHA) November 22, 2024
While it was an exciting update, accounts consistently shared birthday wishes for members amid the silence. However, it is the first update in months.
However, we finally have a substantial update that is enough to give VCHA fans hope. Second Jeff Benjamin, JY Park (also known as JYP, The Asian Soul and Park Jin Young) addressed the press today during a media day in Los Angeles for The MAMA Awards 2024, confirming that VCHAs will be back in fashion next year. He revealed that the group will return in 2025 with a rebrand, returning with new music and visuals. This includes a new album!
We are preparing for full VCHA activities next year. Our plan is to differentiate this group from our existing #Kpop artists with special and unique content. The preparation period is taking a little longer than usual because the prep work is taking longer than expected.
— JY Park via Jeff Benjamin
“We are preparing for full VCHA activities next year. Our plan is to differentiate this group from the existing one #Kpop artists with special and unique content. The preparation period is taking a little longer than usual because the preparation effort is taking longer than expected”…
— Jeff Benjamin (@Jeff__Benjamin) November 21, 2024
Jeff Benjamin also reported that another reporter asked if there was a possibility of seeing the VCHA take the stage next year and if all members could join. JY Park emphasized the desire to keep them authentic to their respective cultures rather than making them “K-Pop”. He wants them to be true to themselves rather than adhering to “JYP” standards.
I wanted to make sure they weren’t K-pop when it came to the music and visuals. Even if they are[e] produced by a K-pop company, I don’t want them to be K-pop, I want them to be what they are. They are not born and raised in Korea, they are not influenced by Korean culture, they are talented kids who were born and raised here [in the United States]. We’re trying to make sure the next album that comes out is themselves. Unlike our K-pop and Korean artists, I think the creative teams will be a combination of American producers, musicians and choreographers and they will make sure it’s them. It will be very different. The new music, the album, the new video will be very different from JYP.
— JY Park via Jeff Benjamin
“I wanted to make sure they weren’t K-pop as far as music and visuals. Even if they’re produced by a K-pop company, I don’t want them to be K-pop, I want them to be.” be what I am. They are not born and raised in Korea, they are not influenced by Korean culture, they are talented…
— Jeff Benjamin (@Jeff__Benjamin) November 21, 2024
Previously, in October, there were some rumors that VCHA would make a comeback after a “JYP Entertainment insider” claimed that the group would return from hiatus, reportedly after receiving additional training and recovering from health-related breaks.
According to Lee Kihoon, research analyst at Hana Securities, VCHA will resume group operations by 2025.
“In the case of VCHA there have been health problems for members, but activities will resume next year.”#VCHA #Splendor @Official_VCHA pic.twitter.com/qBlIHDVYTF
— VCHA UNION (@VCHAGlobalUnion) October 14, 2024
A member of JYP Entertainment confirmed that VCHA will soon return to the public eye. The group is currently on break to further train before resuming activities.
JYP executive Jung said: “VCHA will return early next quarter… pic.twitter.com/v2XZJ4DVlL
— valentina (@seoheedoll) October 10, 2024
We can’t wait to see VCHA return!
