You have probably seen the teasers and heard the hype. And maybe—just maybe—you’ve asked yourself: Wait, who are these girls everyone’s talking about? This is VVS, a new 5-member K-pop girl group under MZMC Inc., which has recently become the talk of the community due to their bold promise to “evolve” K-pop.
And yet, in an industry already bursting at the seams with fresh debuts and 4th—5th—gen icons, you might also be wondering: are they really different? Or will they become just another high-budget gamble?
Join us in an extensive discussion and let’s take a look at this new K-pop girl group VVS from a bird-eye objective point of view.
The Silent Debut of New K-pop Group VVS
When YG was about to debut BABYMONSTER, and SM Entertainment was about to debut Hearts2Hearts, everyone heard the noise. Even when Starship was preparing to launch KiiiKiii, the whole K-pop community talked about it.
But not VVS.
Some of you might have heard whispers, but even when the debut of this new K-pop group faced a delay, nobody really made noise about VVS.
The Origin of VVS: Who’s Behind This New K-pop Girl Group?
So, who are they? And who’s behind these five stunning, brilliant members?
Well, you might have heard the name of Paul Thompson. Or if not, then you must have heard about his stage name, MZMC. He’s the Italian-American producer behind songs for EXO, NCT, and Kang Daniel.
After over a decade in South Korea, Paul Thompson stepped out of the producer role and into the CEO seat, founding MZMC Inc.—a fully Korean entertainment company, despite his foreign roots.
And now, his passion project is finally debuting a new K-pop girl group named VVS.
VVS (short for “Very Very Slightly included,” a high diamond clarity grade) is a five-member group made up of Brittney, Ilee, Rana, Jiu, and Liwon. They officially debuted on April 22, 2025, with the digital single “Tea.” Their follow-up track, “Purrfect,” dropped May 2 as a pre-release for their upcoming mini-album “D.I.M.M.,” arriving on May 19.
From the beginning, VVS has been sending a very statement-making message: they are aiming for brilliance in K-pop. And this doesn’t just mean visually, but also musically and strategically.
And yet, the question you may all be asking is: does the diamond shine bright enough?
VVS Vision: Evolving K-Pop—But How?
First of all, you must know that Paul Thompson has had the brilliant idea to build beyond the traditional girl groups. In fact, he once told Billboard in 2024 about his vision. This vision has touched the base of Western influences like The Neptunes, Ryan Leslie, and early 2000s hip-hop. Unfortunately, it is a musical flavor that isn’t exactly dominating Korea’s current soundscape. But little did they know that this could actually offer a fresh alternative.
“I had my own vision for what I wanted to hear in K-pop. I knew no other company was 100% going to let me do the vision I had. So, it was time for me to try to evolve K-pop.”
Paul Thompson
And so, he created VVS, a new K-pop girl group with a mash-up sound between Ariana Grande’s softness and Nicki Minaj’s edge.
Now, if this raises your eyebrows, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Because there are fans who actually thought that the fusion feels more…derivative than innovative. Meanwhile, others believe more in the group’s potential in a possibly new sub-genre of globalized K-pop R&B.
Yes, you may think that this is risky. But do you remember? The same thing happened when the small company Big Hit debuted BTS.
The Members: Who Are the Faces of VVS?
Brittney
Firstly, we have Brittney, the leader, trained under both THEBLACKLABEL and S2 Entertainment before finding her place at MZMC Inc. She’s fluent in English and brings a big-sister leadership vibe, often referencing BTS as a model for teamwork.
Ilee
Secondly, meet Ilee, the group’s main rapper, who draws inspiration from BLACKPINK’s Jennie and Lil’ Kim. She’s vocal about her respect for female hip-hop pioneers and isn’t afraid to show it.
Rana
Thirdly came Rana, the main dancer, has a strong street dance background, including battles and competitions. She trained under SM Entertainment and brings Japanese flair to the group’s international mix.
Jiu
Then, we have Jiu, the main vocalist, trained at Modern K Academy, who has already caught fans’ attention with Taeyeon-esque vocal energy.
Liwon
Lastly is Liwon the maknae, is the soft-spoken but powerful final touch. At just 15, she brings innocence with the potential to grow into something sharp and dynamic.
Each member brings a different piece of the puzzle. But are they whole yet? That’s up to you to decide.
Read our database on the VVS profile.
The Marketing: Social-First and Global-Ready
Instead of leaning solely on Korean platforms, VVS is doubling down on TikTok, Instagram, and X. Their personal accounts remain active, and their official channels push out content consistently, from dance challenges to vocal snippets.
And then there’s CNN.
In a highly unconventional move, Anderson Cooper featured VVS in a documentary called “K-Pop: A Star Is Made” earlier this year. And let’s be honest, you don’t see that often—not even from top-tier agencies.
These strategies are bold, transparent, and aimed squarely at global fans.
VVS Responses: What Fans Are Saying After Watching the New K-pop Girl Group
As you scroll through X, Reddit, or TikTok, you’ll find that VVS is already sparking plenty of conversation—and not all of it sounds the same. Some of it might even echo what you’ve been thinking.
If you’re into production value, there’s a good chance you’ve been impressed by the 5 C’s teaser series. Fans have praised the group’s cinematic flair, calling it one of the most polished debuts they’ve seen in a while.
And if you’ve caught Rana’s dance clip and Brittney’s charismatic presence, you’re not alone—those two are already building strong individual followings. Add in their global distribution deal with YG PLUS, and you can tell VVS isn’t aiming small.
But maybe you’ve also had your reservations. The group’s name—VVS—has already raised eyebrows for overlapping with other fandom names and rookie groups.
And Paul Thompson, the group’s CEO, has stirred mixed reactions with his blunt personality and public statements. If you prefer a more traditional, behind-the-scenes leadership style, that could be a red flag.
Also, let’s be honest—describing the group’s concept as “Ariana + Nicki” might sound more like a marketing pitch than a real sonic identity, especially when the genre is already packed with experimental sounds.
Still, not everyone’s jumping to conclusions. You might want to wait for the “D.I.M.M.” EP to drop before deciding how you feel. That is for sure.
After all, debut buzz is just noise until it’s backed by substance. Some are excited but cautious, commenting, “They look promising, but I wanna see them perform live.”
The Reality of VVS: Is This New K-pop Girl Group REALLY Different?
Now, let’s talk real and see this new K-pop girl group from an objective, bird-eye perspective.
If you’re asking whether VVS is a new K-pop group with a concept that’s incredibly unique, the answer, for now, is not so much.
In terms of concept or execution, VVS is not that dramatically different from other regular K-pop rookies.
Yes, all five members are extremely polished, talented, and strategic, but so are dozens of other girl groups in 2025. The market is crowded. Hearts2Hearts, KiiiKiii, ILLIT, BABYMONSTER—every group has a head start, a gimmick, or a narrative.
Even when VVS offers impressive values that no other rookies have: music-first identity led by a seasoned producer, commitment to R&B/hip-hop roots through actual education, powerful cinematic concept, and global-minded strategy from day one, this is still not enough.
Not for now. Not without a conceptual hook that sticks, a live stage that floors you, and a sound that makes people say, “Only VVS does that.”
What Comes Next?
Now, at this point, are you curious enough about MZMC’s new K-pop girl group VVS? Well, be patient.
For now, we have tasted their debut single, “Tea,” and witnessed their charming performance in “Purrfect.” But all eyes are now on “D.I.M.M.,” their first mini-album. Because this one will eventually tell us what this group is really made of—not just their visuals, but their voice.
So maybe the real question is not “Are they different?” Instead, maybe it’s “Do you want them to be?”
Because in 2025, K-pop isn’t just about standing out. It’s about standing for something.
And that’s something VVS still has time to define.
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