UNIS's Final Interview as Eight Members Ends in Tears: Their Messages to EverAfter

K-pop group UNIS is ending its two-and-a-half-year run amid a surge of attention. The eight members sat down with K-POPIT at F&F Entertainment's headquarters in Nonhyeon-dong, Seoul, on Sept. 22. That afternoon, the agency announced the end of the group's exclusive contracts, making the conversation their final interview together as UNIS.

The interview began on an upbeat note. Their recent remake, "Sky Land, Star Land," continued to climb the charts after music show promotions ended, drawing renewed attention to the group's earlier performances.

"When the first reactions came in, we couldn't tell whether UNIS kept showing up on our phones because we were checking so often, or whether a real ‘UNIS boom' had started," Hyeonju said, laughing. "It feels like a dream." Yunha added, "This is a first for us. We're grateful to see the kind of response we'd only imagined. Songs from our debut album and other releases are getting more love one by one, and it feels as though our work is paying off."

"Sky Land, Star Land" was originally released in 1997, before any of the members were born. "My mom said she used to sing it at karaoke with her school friends. She was so happy when she heard we were remaking it," Yunha said. She taught her mother the choreography herself. "I've seen fans say the song helped them connect with their parents. I was glad UNIS could play a part in that."

The remake also brought praise for the group's live vocals. "I'm happy that people love the song, but I'm especially glad they noticed the members' live singing," Nana said. The members sang steadily through demanding choreography with little time to rest.

"Two days before the music show, we were still asking each other, ‘How are we going to sing this live?'" Hyeonju recalled. On stage, they handled both the choreography and the vocals, showing the results of their rehearsals.

Seowon, who first became known for her trot performances, admitted she had worried about how her voice would blend with the others. "Before I became an idol, I sang a lot of older songs, including trot. When I first heard ‘Sky Land, Star Land,' I thought it was a song I could sing well," she said. "But during recording, I worried that my vocal tone or singing style might not fit with the other members."

The response eased those concerns. "That worry came through in the behind-the-scenes recording video, but people left so many kind comments that I gained confidence," Seowon said. "I'd long been unsure about my vocal tone, so hearing people say they liked it made me feel recognized. I was really happy."

UNIS was formed through "Universe Ticket," an audition program co-produced by SBS and F&F Entertainment. The project group was set to promote for two years and six months. On Sept. 23 at 6 p.m. KST, UNIS released its goodbye single "Milky Way," a fan song about the group and its fandom, EverAfter. Hyeonju, Nana, Elisia and Yoona took part in writing the lyrics.

"We wanted our feelings to reach the fans, so we worked especially hard on the recording," Hyeonju said. "It took longer to record than any of our previous songs. I spent two and a half hours in the booth. It was dark outside when I came out."

Several members became emotional while preparing the song. "The moment I first heard it in the practice room, I pictured the fans' faces and imagined UNIS singing it. I couldn't stop crying," Nana said. "There was no one else at the company, so I called Kotoko at the dorm."

Seowon said she initially struggled to record the song. Kotoko recalled what happened afterward: "Seowon held back her tears like a professional in the recording booth. But as soon as she came out, she started crying."

Although their time together as UNIS is ending, the members spoke about the different sides they hope to show audiences in the future. "This was the first time people called me a ‘grown woman,'" Hyeonju said. "Some fans even started calling me ‘unnie.' That felt new, and I liked it. I'd also like to show a calmer, deeper side of myself."

Elisia, who worked as a child actor and performed in musicals in the Philippines, said she would like to act again. "I enjoyed getting to act a little in music videos while promoting as an idol. Now that I'm older, I'd like to try roles suited to my age," she said. She named a romantic comedy lead as a role she would like to play.

The timing of the group's ending still brought regret. "It's sad that so many people are only getting to know UNIS now, when our time together is coming to an end," Hyeonju said. At the same time, the members felt encouraged that a wider audience now knew all eight of them. "I'm excited about what comes next now that more people know us," Yunha said. "Whether we work together or separately, it's reassuring to think they'll keep supporting us."

The interview had begun with laughter about "Sky Land, Star Land." By the time the members were asked what they wanted to say to their fans and one another, all eight were holding back tears. These were their final messages as UNIS.

Hyeonju: "Without EverAfter, UNIS couldn't have existed. I'm grateful in ways I can't fully put into words. To the members: We lived together for two and a half years and went through so much. Thank you for getting through it all and growing. I'm sorry, and I love you."

Nana: "These two and a half years were so happy. Of course there were hard times, but we received so much love. Sometimes I wondered, ‘Why do they love me this much?' Thank you, and I love you. Please keep supporting us."

Gehlee: "Thank you so much for the love and support you've given us over these two years. EverAfter was the reason we could keep showing you better versions of ourselves, whatever happened. I hope we could be a source of strength and comfort for you too. I love you, and please take care of yourselves."

Kotoko: Thank you to the fans who watched our journey from ‘Universe Ticket' through our debut, and to everyone who became a fan along the way. There were many times I lacked confidence, but EverAfter gave me strength. I was able to grow because of you.

Yunha: The eight of us came together and debuted thanks to EverAfter. Thank you for staying by our side. I'm sorry there are things we didn't get to show you, but I feel even more grateful for everything you've given us. I hope you'll keep supporting the members.

Elisia: Some of you have supported us since the survival show, while others only recently became interested in UNIS. I'm grateful to every one of you. I've laughed and cried while reading your letters. Thank you so much. I love you.

Yoona: Thank you for being with UNIS and loving us from the beginning. I wanted to show you many new sides of myself, and I'm sorry I couldn't show you everything. Please look forward to seeing me grow, and don't forget the memories we made as UNIS. The members helped me through the times when I was struggling. Thank you.

Seowon: We were a group with an end date from the start. Thank you to EverAfter for coming to us and loving us even though you knew that. I'm sad I couldn't show you everything I wanted to, but you stayed with us until the end. I care about you so much. I care about the members too. I love you.