November 28, 2023
BANGKOK – “Batter Up”, the debut music video of a brand new South Korean girl group, BabyMonster, hit 1 million views in its first hour on YouTube. By press time, it had hit 17 million views.
The group’s pre-debut clip “Dream” has been viewed 55 million times since its launch on May 13. The all-girl band now has 3.47 million followers on the platform.
The seven-member group, comprising three South Koreans, two Japanese and two Thais, was launched by YG Entertainment – the same South Korean talent agency that launched the K-pop sensations BlackPink in 2016.
YG Entertainment has lined up Thailand’s two new K-pop princesses, Riracha “Chiquita” Phondechaphiphat and Pharita Boonpakdeethaveeyod, for success after BlackPink’s Lalisa “Lisa” Manoban grabbed attention worldwide.
Enami Asa and Kawai Ruka, meanwhile, are the first Japanese K-pop stars to sign up with YG Entertainment.
Nakhon Ratchasima native Chiquita, 14, officially joined the group on January 23 after undergoing training for a year and nine months. The younger sister of singer and actor Dechawat “Copper” Phondechaphiphat said Lisa is her biggest inspiration.
Pharita, 18, who was born in Bangkok, officially joined the group on February 2 after training for two and a half years. Like Chiquita, she too takes inspiration from Lisa.