“Y ou were my summer.” It’s the kind of sentiment that hits quietly, then lingers. On the surface, H1-KEY’s latest title track might seem like a typical seasonal release – bright melodies, hazy nostalgia, a few wistful metaphors thrown in. But “Summer Was You” isn’t just a song about summer. It’s about time, memory, and the people we attach those things to.

“Summer Was You” is lifted from the group’s fourth mini album, Lovestruck, and there’s a clear shift in tone. If moments like “Rose Blossom” were about defiance and “SEOUL" captured growing pains, then "Summer Was You" feels like a deep breath after the fact. The energy’s still there, but it’s quieter. More internal. Instead of chasing a feeling, they’re sitting with one – and trying to preserve it before it slips away.

The members – SEOI, RIINA, HWISEO, YEL – each bring a different memory to the track: performing at summer festivals, childhood beach trips, late-night trainee moments that once felt ordinary but now feel golden. None of it feels rehearsed. In fact, what’s most striking in conversation is just how present they are – not selling an image, but reflecting on the versions of themselves they’ve grown through.

After the album’s release, we caught up with H1-KEY to talk about where this song came from, how they see themselves four records in, and why fans calling them the “summer queens” might not be so far off.

In “Summer Was You,” you sing 'To me, you were summer,' which is a powerful metaphor. When you first heard or sang these lyrics, what memories or emotions did it bring up? Did you feel like you were singing to a past version of yourselves?

SEOI When I think of summer, I imagine a very hot and passionate feeling. So, I interpreted these lyrics as talking about something into which I poured all my emotions and efforts. It actually made me choke up a little, because it reminded me of my efforts and the time I endured.

RIINA It reminds me of going to the beach with my family when I was young, and also of the good times I had practicing really hard with my fellow trainees to move closer to achieving our dreams and going on pension vacations together!! It's a chorus that brings to mind warm and happy moments in my life.

HWISEO Personally, it reminds me of the festivals we, H1-KEY, performed at during hot summers! Sometimes it would rain while we were performing and sometimes we would sweat in the hot weather, and then we'd get in the car and actually repeat over and over, "It was summer!”

YEL When I heard this lyric for the first time, it made me think that we were singing it to each other (the members). It reminded me of the many good memories that we created during summertime and it makes me think that this song has the meaning of “you're the summer in my memory, and let's spend the next summer together as well.”

The song reflects on past feelings with appreciation rather than heartbreak – it's nostalgic without being sad. Was that emotional tone something you discussed or explored while recording?

SEOI We discussed the emotional tone with the producer before we started recording. Since this song isn't about a simple or clear-cut emotion, but rather one that's complex and brings up a lot of different thoughts, we really spent time thinking it through and tried our best to express that.

When recording those dreamlike lyrics – like “your laughter, a celestial symphony” – did a particular memory or image come to mind?

SEOI I thought about the times we spent together. Even when we were tired from a long and tiring schedule or a long distance travel, just one joke from one of us would have us laughing and feeling happy. Those moments remain in my mind like a dreamlike scene and they really helped me during the recording.

HWISEO I think I recorded the song with a refreshing energy, imagining all of us proudly performing on stage together!!

“Summer Was You” is rich with nostalgia and emotion. Did it remind you of any specific moments from your trainee days or early debut?

RIINA Yes! This song reminds me of the trainee process before we achieved our dream to debut as H1-KEY! It's thanks to that period, that I can describe as both hot and radiant, that I can be the current RIINA and meet all the M1-KEYS.

YEL It was summer when we first started promoting with the current members. So, when I sing this song, the image of the four of us promoting with “RUN” in the days closer to our debut overlaps with us now promoting with “Summer Was You,” as we have grown a little more, which makes it even more emotional and evokes a wistful feeling.

This track is from your fourth mini album. Why did “Summer Was You” feel like the right choice for the title track – and what role does it play in the album's bigger story?

RIINA Actually, the reason why this song was selected as the title track was that we did a blind test with all the employees!! “Summer Was You” won by a landslide and I think that this song suits the current season and it's also something that H1-KEY can express really well. Also, I think this song's meaning fits the best as the central idea to create the story for the whole album. It seems to be the best song to evoke memories of past love and a sense of nostalgia.

Your last few title tracks (“Rose Blossom,” “SEOUL,” “Thinkin' About You”) all explored different emotions and phases of growing up. Where does “Summer Was You” fit into that journey?

YEL While our previous title track depicted our growth process, “Summer Was You” is a song that encapsulates the feeling that even when we went through the growing pains of the past, facing difficult and exhausting times, it was all good because we were together, and now we can reminisce about all those moments. In a way, you could say it's a process of looking back at ourselves as we experienced those growing pains.

Fans are calling you the 'summer queens'. Do you see that title reflecting in H1-KEY's identity?

HWISEO I think since all the members are quite tall and have long limbs, we can express the choreography well. And since each of our vocal tones is different, we're able to show that freshness in a variety of colors. In hot weather, when it's easy to feel worn out, I believe H1-KEY's style of comfort and hope can be healing, which is why I think this concept really fits our identity!

What's one summer memory – big or small – that you'd want to hold onto forever, like the song describes?

SEOI For me, it'll be when my mom and I ate steamed potato with gochujang (pepper paste) together under the air conditioner! Each time I am reminded of it, I really want to go back – to the point that I would cry. The memory of talking with my mom, having no worries and eating delicious potatoes is still one of my most precious memories.

RIINA I want to treasure this memory of promoting “Summer Was You”!! I think it's a time where we perform happily.

HWISEO I want to remember all the performances that we do in the summer, all the countless festivals and events. We had so many performances and every single time it feels different, making all of them good memories!

YEL The memory of me playing water gun with my close friends at the playground when I was still in grade school. We didn't do anything special but the summer sounds, the scent, the heat – everything created a radiant memory.

For you personally, is summer tied to a place, a feeling, or a person? What comes to mind when you hear that word?

RIINA When I hear the word 'summer' I think the first thing that comes to my mind is places: sea, valley, swimming pool, living room with a fan inside… I think the first things that come to my mind are places where I can feel a comfortable, bluish and cool summer. Listening to “Summer Was You” in a place where you can feel summer is such a great fit. ?

HWISEO I think it's a feeling. When I look back on certain memories or moments from that time, what stays with me most is this bittersweet, nostalgic emotion!!

You're four mini albums in now. How would you describe the version of H1-KEY we're seeing in this release compared to your earlier ones?

SEOI We used to be energetic and kind of intuitive before, but this version of us is more mature and has deeper sensitivity. We have also released a song that will keep playing in your head after you listen to it once.

YEL Like I mentioned earlier, I'd like to say that it's a version of us that has gone through a lot of growing pains. “Summer Was You” is exciting and sounds like a cool song to enjoy in the summer, but now, looking back, it feels like an album that reflects on the past – whether those were moments of happiness, big or small, or difficult times.