Badvillain: ‘‘Thriller’ Is Proof of How Much We’ve Improved’

In a fast-moving K-pop industry, keeping up with the relentless release cycle and staying top of mind is no easy feat, especially when returning from a long absence. This is precisely why Badvillain’s return with “Thriller” is a decisive moment in their career. The South Korean girl group, featuring Emma, Chloe Young, Hu’e, Ina, Yunseo, Vin, and Kelly, is back nearly a year after their debut in 2024, to reassert themselves and their sound.

The moniker “Badvillain” reflects their ethos of challenging the status quo, an image further solidified by the new release. Chloe Young says, “In comparison to our previous releases, ‘Thriller’ is a minimal track with distinct synth sounds, and that truly shows Badvillain’s direction and accentuates our vision.” She also explains that the song’s catchy sing-along element and minimalist beat highlight a chill, laid-back vibe. “What’s more, our bold and intense performance translates into confidence to fully enjoy every stage, while still bearing the excitement and courage within us to try out new challenges.”

Speaking of their artistic evolution, Hu’e highlights how “Thriller” serves as a powerful expression of their “Born to be Visionary” philosophy. Since their debut in 2024 with the album Overstep, the group has kept evolving with tracks like “Badvillain,” “Badtitude,” “+82,” “Hurricane,” and “Zoom,” each one speaking to their super confident personality and unapologetic attitude. Emma reflects on the journey, saying, “If Overstep was a challenge that started everything for us, ‘Thriller’ is proof of how much we’ve improved. We’ve experimented with a genre we have never tried before—a punchy, minimal hip-hop beat—and paired it with a high heel performance, revealing a more mature side of Badvillain.” Kelly adds that while Overstep focused on powerful performance, “Thriller” follows a more nuanced approach to expressing emotions. “We want to be seen as artists who not only deliver a strong performance but also as artists who can express a wide range of sentiments.”

The track’s slick visuals scream confidence, manifesting in the chorus line, “I’m stepping in the vibe, so killer / I’m the scene killer / I’m the thriller.” The dichotomy between subtlety and explosive energy is a highlight of the song. Vin opens up about their comeback preparation: “We were like, ‘How do we level up?’ ‘How do we perform to bring out a refreshing twist?’ And the answer was ‘Thriller’.” Ina adds that for the choreography, they challenged themselves by performing in high heels. “Through this song, we hope to inspire you with the same confidence so that wherever you go, you can step into the room like you own it!”

In the music video, the band performs in a junkyard with moving cars. They own the chaotic space, showing off their sharp dance moves, style, and attitude, creating cinematic moments that are both gritty and glamorous. The video shoot had its share of challenges, like when Yunseo had to perfect a spinning move in stilettos on an uneven asphalt floor. But with her fellow group members cheering her on, she was able to pull it off. The set also had its memorable moments, such as the chorus performance with 10 dancers in heels, which created a synchronized sound that Emma says, “will remain in our memories for a long time.”

“Thriller” sets the tone for the group’s evolving sound. “We want to share even more sides of Badvillain,” Ina states. Hip-hop is at the heart of their music, which she believes is “an inseparable part of K-pop.” And while deeply rooted in the genre, they’ll continue to “study and grow within it,” remaining open to exploring different styles. At the end of the day, what they really want is to make music about their stories, and as Chloe Young hopes, “become someone’s motivation to chase their dreams.”