Chinese girl group A2O MAY is the first group of trainees from A2O Rookies to make their debut. The group is composed of five members: Chenyu, Kat and her twin Miche, Quchang, and Shijie. Despite debuting in China, the group was formed under A2O Entertainment, an American K-pop agency founded by SM Entertainment founder Lee Sooman and based in Los Angeles, CA.
Making their debut in December 2024 with single “Under My Skin,” they followed up not long after with their second single, “BOSS.” Their debut track has steadily climbed the charts and has recently ranked in the Mediabase U.S. Radio Weekly Chart’s Top 40 for its second consecutive week. A2O May is also the first Chinese idol girl group to enter the U.S. Top 40 Radio and recently was the first Chinese idol girl group to grace the stage at 102.7 KIIS FM and iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango in Huntington City Beach.
Ahead of their appearance at the festival, A2O MAY took some time to answer some questions for Asia Blooming about their path to debut, their creative process, their accomplishments thus far, and more.
Can each of you tell us a little bit about how you joined A2O, and what your thoughts were when you were chosen to debut?
SHIJIE: I’ve been learning contemporary dance for many years and would often share my dance videos on social media. One day, I received an invitation from A2O. At the time, I was the very first trainee, so I got to witness the entire journey of A2O MAY coming together, step by step. For me, it feels like watching a dream come true – seeing it all come to life.
CHENYU: I used to be a model, and during that time, I would share my photos and videos on social media. Several talent agencies reached out to me, but I chose A2O because it just felt meant to be.
MICHE: Joining A2O has been such a blessing. It all started when they found a cover video of my sister, Kat, online – then they realized we were twins! We had our audition in Shanghai and met Mr. Lee for the first time. From that moment on, we trained hard, pushing ourselves every day. Debuting after just a year and a half still feels surreal, and I’m incredibly thankful for this amazing opportunity.
QUCHANG: Actually, I was the last member to join the group. A2O found me through a dance video I posted on social media. When I found out I was chosen to debut, I was honestly so shocked, and my parents were just as surprised! I feel really grateful for this opportunity, and I’m doing my best every day to grow and not let anyone down.
KAT: Before joining A2O, I loved posting singing videos on social media – that’s how the company discovered me. After learning more about A2O, I decided to take the leap and become a trainee. When I found out I was going to debut, I felt a mix of excitement and self-doubt. But I’ve learned it’s okay to feel that way – as long as I keep working hard and stay true to myself, I’ll keep growing. I’m so thankful to Mr. Lee, Mr. Yoo (Yoo Young Jin, a renowned producer and vocal trainer formally under SM Entertainment), and everyone who’s believed in me. I’ll continue doing my best to become the artist I’ve always dreamed of being.
What language do you typically speak with each other when at the dorms or between schedules, and what type of food and snacks do you enjoy sharing together?
KAT: We usually speak both Chinese and English with each other. Some words or expressions just feel more natural in one language than the other, so it’s nice to have both to choose from. It helps us express ourselves more freely.
CHENYU: When it comes to food, we definitely love Chinese food – it’s like comfort food for us. Especially spicy dishes and soups are our favorites. And of course, we love boba!
Since there might be people who are unfamiliar with A2O MAY that want to know more about you, can each of you share a fun fact about yourself?
SHIJIE: A fun fact about me is that my inspiration actually came from the Barbie movie series. If I hadn’t watched those movies, I might never have started learning dance. And without that, I probably wouldn’t be here as a performer today.
CHENYU: I’m the kind of person who can’t go anywhere without perfume. I always keep a few sample-sized bottles in my bag. I also carry cat treats with me, so if I ever run into a cute stray cat on the street, I’m ready to share a little snack.
MICHE: I’ve always enjoyed doing makeup and started really young because I had to do my own makeup for Latin ballroom dance competitions. Over time, I got pretty good at it, and some makeup artists on set have even complimented my skills – which means a lot coming from professionals!
QUCHANG: When I’m feeling down, I always turn to music. One song I really recommend is called “流浪记” (Liú Làng Jì). I listen to it a lot, especially when I feel homesick – it brings me comfort.
KAT: When I was younger, my hair was naturally super curly – but after years of styling and straightening, you can’t really tell anymore. Back then, if I brushed it, it would puff up like a lion’s mane! I used to feel so self conscious about it that I was scared to wear my hair down or even brush it. It’s kind of funny looking back now, but it’s definitely one of those little things that stuck with me.
Who are each of your biggest inspirations when it comes to performing and music?
SHIJIE: For me, it’s Mr. Lee. His vision of creating not just music, but a whole new culture, really inspires me. The way he always looks ahead to the future and thinks globally motivates me to work harder and dream bigger as a performer.
QUCHANG: I look up to Mr. Yoo. His music has a unique energy and power that really moves people. I admire how he pours so much passion into every detail of his production. It reminds me to always stay passionate and sincere in my own performances.
Do any of you participate in the making of your music, whether it’s with production or the lyrics? If not, do any of you aspire to do so in the future?
MICHE: For the two songs we’ve released so far, we haven’t been officially credited in the production or lyrics. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have a say in the creative process. We’re very involved in shaping the storytelling, styling, and overall concept of our music and performances.
SHIJIE: It’s important to us that everything feels authentic and reflects who we are. At the same time, we’re constantly working on broadening our skills – whether it’s songwriting, vocal direction, or even production. We definitely aspire to be more hands-on in the future and bring even more of our own color into the music.
Your group has a strong potential to bridge the West and East with your cultural backgrounds and music. Do you think this is an important aspect of the group and your goals?
QUCHANG: Absolutely, we believe this is a very important part of who we are as a group. With our diverse backgrounds and being part of a global team, we naturally want to bridge the gap between East and West. But beyond that, through Zalpha Pop, we also aim to bridge generational gaps – connecting Gen Z, Gen Zalpha, and even older generations through music that speaks to everyone.
KAT: Our goal is to create songs that bring people together, no matter where they’re from or how old they are. In a global world like ours, music is one of the most powerful ways to connect hearts, and we hope to be a part of that.
In fact, I think you’re already making waves and catching the public’s attention with accomplishments such as being the first idol girl group composed of Chinese members to chart in the U.S. Top 40! How did it feel when you all heard that news?
SHIJIE: Honestly, we were so shocked when we first heard the news. It felt surreal – like, is this really happening? But more than anything, we were incredibly thankful. Knowing that we’re the first idol girl group made up of Chinese members to chart in the U.S. Top 40 is such an honor.
CHENYU: We really hope we’re making the people in China proud. At the same time, this achievement motivates us to keep pushing forward, to keep improving, and to show even more of what we’re capable of. It’s just the beginning, and we’re so excited for what’s next.
A big strength in your team lies in your versatility and your ability to excel in any concept, as can be seen just with your two singles, “Under My Skin” and “BOSS,” which are also released in both English and Mandarin. Was any one concept harder to execute? What was it like recording in two languages?
KAT: Honestly, we didn’t feel like one concept was harder than the other to execute. Both “Under My Skin” and “BOSS” represent different sides of who A2O MAY is. Whether it’s bold and fierce or emotional and fluid, these are all parts of our identity. So stepping into each concept felt very natural to us.
QUCHANG: Recording in both English and Chinese was such a fun experience. It was really interesting to see how each language brought out different feelings and textures in the song. Even though the vibe can shift slightly with the language, the essence and message of the songs stay the same. That’s what we loved – being able to connect with more people while staying true to the heart of our music.
Have you recorded other songs already as well? If so, how did the choice come to be that “Under My Skin” and “BOSS” would be released first?
MICHE: Yes, we’ve recorded other songs too, and we can’t wait to share them with everyone soon – so please look forward to that! As for why “Under My Skin” and “BOSS” were chosen as our first releases, it’s because these two songs really capture the essence of A2O MAY. They represent who we are and what we stand for: bold, fearless, but also emotional and honest. We wanted our debut to leave a strong first impression, and these songs felt like the perfect introduction to our identity and our sound.
Are there any different types or genres of music you want to try out for your future releases?
SHIJIE: Well, Zalpha Pop itself is already a mix of so many different genres, so in a way, we’re always exploring new styles through it. For our future releases, I hope we can continue to show even more sides of A2O MAY by trying out different sounds and combinations within Zalpha Pop. There are endless possibilities, and that’s what makes it so exciting – you never know what to expect next. I really hope people stay curious and excited to discover all the new things we have in store.
Let’s talk a little bit about your appearance at Wango Tango as well. Was it nerve wracking knowing you’d be taking such a large stage for your debut? What’s a way each of you keep the jitters or nervousness at bay before getting onstage?
KAT: It was definitely nerve wracking! Performing on such a big stage was a moment we had all been dreaming about and working so hard to prepare for. To calm our nerves, we have this little ritual where we huddle together right before going on stage, look each other in the eye, and remind ourselves that we’ve got this. That moment of connection always gives us strength.
CHENYU: For me, just being on stage with the girls gives me so much confidence and energy. The moment we step out together, I know we’re not alone – we’re a team. That feeling reassures me, and I just know everything is going to be more than okay. It turns the nervousness into excitement.
With only two songs released officially thus far, special stages may have been prepared as well. If so, what was the thought process behind selecting the songs you prepared?
QUCHANG: Yes, we’ve prepared special stages beyond our official releases, and fans can see more of them through our official A2O Channel. We’re always working on different performances and content to share with everyone. When it comes to choosing songs for these stages, it’s a very collaborative process. We listen to a lot of songs and have deep discussions with Mr. Lee, Mr. Yoo, and our producing team. And honestly, when the right song comes along, we just know – it clicks. We can tell right away which songs for our tone, our energy, and what we want to express. It’s a very instinctive feeling.
What were your hopes for audiences to take away from your performance at the festival?
KAT: What I really hoped for was to give everyone who watched our performance a sense of strength, power, and confidence to just be themselves. Whether they were already fans of A2O MAY or hearing about us for the very first time, I wanted them to feel inspired, to know it’s okay to be bold, to tell their own story, and to be proud of who they are. That’s something very important to us as a group, and if even one person felt that after watching us, then I’d be really happy.
What do you hope for A2O MAY to accomplish in the future, and what do you hope you can be known and remembered for, for years to come?
SHIJIE: In the short term, our biggest goal is to meet and connect with as many fans as possible from all over the world. We want to create special moments, meaningful opportunities, and unforgettable memories with the people who support us. Every connection matters to us.
MICHE: In the long term, we hope A2O MAY can become a source of inspiration for people around the world. We want to encourage others to tell their own stories, to embrace who they are, and to feel confident in expressing themselves. If we can give even a little bit of strength, power, and confidence to those who need it, that’s how we want to be remembered.
What’s one word that you’d use to describe what A2O MAY is to each of you, and why?
CHENYU: FIRE! A2O MAY feels like fire to me – full of energy, passion, and drive. We’re always moving forward, always burning with the desire to grow and connect.
SHIJIE: Mirror. I see A2O MAY as a mirror. Through our music and performances, we reflect not just our own stories, but also the emotions and experiences of the people who support us.
QUCHANG: Bridge. To me, A2O MAY is a bridge – connecting different cultures, generations, and people. That’s something very meaningful to us.
KAT: Thunder! A2O MAY is like thunder. We aim to make an impact, leave an impression, and show strength through everything we do.
MICHE: For me, I think of A2O MAY as a galaxy. Constantly expanding, full of potential, and with each member shining in their own way, but stronger together!
