Five-member act A2O MAY is the first group launched under A2O Entertainment, the company founded by Soo Man Lee after his departure from SM Entertainment. Trained within a system that draws heavily on K-pop’s rigor, they sit at an unusual crossroads: not quite K-pop in the traditional sense, yet undeniably part of its global conversation.

Their latest single, “B.B.B (Bigger, Badder, Better),” is framed as an anthem of defiance and self-expression, but beneath the gloss is something more layered. SHIJIE speaks about strength and comfort, hoping fans walk away with a sense of resilience. MICHE talks about confusion, the kind every young person stumbles through while figuring out who they are. QUCHANG sharpens it further: this is music about embracing your spark and walking through life without apology. It’s confidence – but confidence that’s hard-earned and human.

That refusal to play it safe carries into how the group approaches collaboration. For their “B.B.B” video, A2O MAY brought in their juniors A2O LTG, injecting the project with a warm, almost sisterly energy. CHENYU calls them playful and tireless, KAT recalls the nostalgia of training days, and together the groups create something that feels less like a staged crossover and more like a glimpse into an extended family. The MV becomes a reminder of where they came from, and the kind of legacy they’re already building for those who follow.

But the bigger picture here is global. A2O MAY are not just another rookie act clawing for attention in a crowded scene. They’ve already made history as the first Chinese idol group to take the stage at iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango, stepping into a space that few Asian acts have reached. For MICHE, the experience was dreamlike; for CHENYU, surreal. It’s also symbolic: under Soo Man Lee’s guidance, they’re inheriting the ethos of K-pop as a borderless cultural force. What they’re making isn’t strictly K-pop – something adjacent, something hybrid – but the influence is there in the precision of their performance, the global scope of their ambitions, and the way they see themselves as part of a bigger cultural shift. As SHIJIE puts it, they’re not just debuting – they’re helping open a new chapter.

At the core of that chapter is Zalpha Pop, the group’s chosen genre label. It’s more than a marketing hook; it’s a framework for bridging worlds. Gen Z brings introspection and honesty, Gen Alpha brings experimentation and fearless edge, and A2O MAY fold it all into something sharp, bold, and transnational. Their members’ eclectic backgrounds – from fashion to piano to songwriting – thread through the sound, making it less about a single identity and more about a collision of influences. They call their next chapter “transcendence” and “unchained,” and the words feel apt. A2O MAY are positioning themselves not as inheritors of a system, but as architects of one – and the story is only just beginning.

We caught up with A2O MAY about their latest single, global dreams, and how the impact of K-pop influences the way fans engage with them.

“B.B.B (Bigger, Badder, Better)” is all about confidence and self-expression. What message did you most want fans to feel when they hear this song for the first time?

SHIJIE First of all, we want listeners to feel our passion and attitude. What I really hope fans take from our music is strength and comfort. We especially want to inspire the next generation to be fearless in expressing themselves.

MICHE The message I want to share is that everyone, at some point, has gone through confusion and self-discovery while growing up—just like the “cool kids.” To grow is to face challenges and explore yourself in a way that’s uniquely your own.

QUCHANG Absolutely. Above all, I want MAYnias to feel empowered and embraced. This song is about owning your unique spark and walking through life with confidence. It’s a celebration of being boldly, unapologetically yourself.

The MV storyline with A2O LTG is such a fun dynamic. What was it like collaborating with your juniors, and how did their fresh energy influence the project?

CHENYU This collaboration was very meaningful. In the MV, they appear like our younger sisters—and in real life, it feels the same. LTG are playful, cute, and full of energy. They never seemed tired, even during long shoots, which made the whole experience warm and memorable.

KAT Working with A2O LTG on the MV was so lovely! It felt so natural and reminded us of the times when we used to train together!

You’ve already made history as the first Chinese idol group at iHeartRadio’s Wango Tango. How did stepping onto that stage in front of a U.S. audience compare to your expectations?

CHENYU Even now, it feels surreal. Having the chance to perform on such a huge international stage was incredible. Thanks to our MAYnias and the rest of the audience, who watched our stage so enthusiastically, it was an unforgettable experience!

MICHE I’ve always dreamed of performing on a stage like Wango Tango. Beforehand, I imagined what it might feel like, but standing there in reality was completely different. With all our hard work and dedication behind us, what I felt most in that moment was pure joy.

A2O MAY is the first group under A2O Entertainment, founded by Soo Man Lee, a pioneer in shaping K-pop’s history. How does it feel to carry his vision into a new, global context?

SHIJIE It’s a tremendous honor to carry forward Mr. Soo Man Lee’s vision. As A2O’s first group, we’re doing more than simply making our debut—we feel we’re helping to open a new chapter of his vision, and that drives us to work even harder.

QUCHANG Carrying Mr. Lee's vision is a big responsibility, but it fills us with motivation. We're excited to learn from his legacy and help bring his innovative spirit to a new, global stage with our music and performance.

You all trained under A2O Rookies before debuting. What’s the biggest lesson you took from that trainee system that you carry with you now?

MICHE I always remind myself that opportunities belong to those who are prepared. The best way to live without regrets is to treat every stage as if it were both the first and the last.

QUCHANG For me, the biggest lesson was resilience. Training taught us unity, responsibility, and the true meaning of teamwork. That foundation continues to guide us today.

The K-pop world has reshaped how global fandoms connect with artists. Have you noticed that influence in the way fans are already engaging with A2O MAY?

KAT Yes, I feel that. Fans from many countries share videos, stream our songs, and support us together. On our fandom platform, Blooming Talk, we chat with MAYnias directly, and it makes us feel very close to them even if they are physically located all the way across the world. It’s very global and I’m really thankful for the way it is shaping our fandom too!!

Your concept of Zalpha Pop blends Gen Z emotions with Gen Alpha creativity. How do you bring that to life in your music?

SHIJIE Zalpha Pop isn’t limited to one style—it’s bold, diverse, and performance-driven. It creates a space where anyone can connect through music, and on stage, we turn that mix into a fresh experience for everyone.

KAT I see Zalpha Pop as a bridge. Gen Z brings depth and honesty, while Gen Alpha brings fearless creativity. Our music blends those energies—turning relatable feelings into bold, future-facing sounds. More than just age groups, it’s about connecting generations and cultures through music as a shared language.

Each of you has a different creative background, from fashion to songwriting to piano. How do those individual passions shape the group’s identity?

CHENYU For example, I used to be a model and worked in fashion. Transitioning into an idol was exciting and new, but those experiences still help me express myself—whether on shoots or on live stages. Each of our unique backgrounds helps us grow together and create something greater.

MICHE Just like different colors blending into new shades, our individual passions create the unique identity of A2O MAY . Our differences highlight what we each bring to the table, and our shared dreams unite us as one group.

With songs like “Under My Skin” and “BOSS,” you’ve already broken into the U.S. charts and gone viral in Asia. How do you balance connecting with fans across different cultures?

SHIJIE We’re so grateful for the love from both the U.S. and Asia. Music is a universal language, and we love learning from different cultures—whether through language, style, or fan interactions—and bringing those influences into our music and performances.

MICHE We hope to continue connecting with our MAYnias all over the world through not just our music and virtual content, but also future live stages and face–to-face interactions!

The group name MAY carries the meaning of beauty and transformation. When you think about your journey so far, how do you feel you’ve bloomed since debut?

CHENYU Looking back, I can clearly see how much I’ve grown. Even so, I believe I’m still blossoming. I’m continuously pushing myself to show our fans a better version of me. My hope is that we’ll be remembered as a group that keeps evolving

If you could give your fans one word to describe the next chapter of A2O MAY after “B.B.B,” what would it be?

SHIJIE Transcend — because we want to go beyond our limits and show an even greater side of ourselves.

KAT Unchained — we won’t let anything hold us back. We want to keep breaking barriers and creating freely.