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Spotlight On Lapillus: Yue's Idol Journey From The US To The Hallyu Scene

This Chinese-American idol traveled from the US to South Korea to pursue a career as a K-pop star. Now, she's excited to see the rest of the world and perform on th

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Mariel Abanes

<p>One’s transition into adulthood is special and significant. For <a href="https://metro.style/people/digital-covers/kpop-girl-group-lapillus-digital-magazine-feature/33840" target="_blank">LAPILLUS</a><strong>’ Yue</strong>, this phase in her life was marked by a remarkable milestone. At 18, she debuted with the global girl group as its main vocalist and dancer—a dream career that many girls aspire for.</p><div><br/></div><p>The Chinese-American K-pop idol initially didn’t think she’d actually be able to enter the entertainment industry; this successful foray into the field can be credited to her beauty and talent, coupled with some good luck. Yue told <strong>Metro.Style,</strong> “Before auditioning, I just really liked K-pop. So I looked for some chances, and it was honestly just for fun. I didn&#x27;t think that I would really get into a company. I thought of it as an experience for my future.”</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/d1c0a4f0-d53f-4fae-8a9a-8fe70fc2e277_lapillus_yue12f.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">LAPILLUS&#x27; Yue in a skirt by Chelsy Estrada<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Photography by Ria Regino  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>Scroll through the gallery below to keep reading the article:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div class="article-content" itemProp="articleBody"><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8a1998eb-d213-496b-82f6-f0c64665f748_lapillues yue gallery cover.jpg" alt="" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/0146cb17-5820-4718-bc43-e1c634af4a4c_283075092_544743713698560_6227375881903861904_n.jpg" alt="kpop lapillus member yue interview on digital magazine metro" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/cb47ca04-8ef1-4e96-8d91-e987820b9ae3_287558724_477656600790362_3236301957978996800_n.jpg" alt="kpop lapillus member yue interview on digital magazine metro" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/872b73c0-3346-45c5-8c22-40d271400194_307106332_1143483326549196_7295268994761045832_n.jpg" alt="kpop lapillus member yue interview on digital magazine metro" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/026ac6a8-942f-49e4-94c4-18d6bdb2b1a1_lapillus_11 (1).jpg" alt="kpop lapillus member yue interview on digital magazine metro" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/8c64f2fa-4f4a-4b8d-b7ad-1734d2673a5b_lapillus_10 (2).jpg" alt="kpop lapillus member yue interview on digital magazine metro" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div><div><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/696509c3-8577-45a8-a3ac-dc087df649d4_lapillus_26f.jpg" alt="kpop lapillus member yue interview on digital magazine metro" class="fr-fic fr-dii"/></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><div></div></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - However, fate had plans for her that led her to where she is today. After doing an audition for V-square, an online platform that helps agencies find their next global prospect, Yue was invited to a second audition, held in Los Angeles, California. This opportunity opened the door that paved the way for her K-pop journey; soon, she found herself packing her bags and flying to South Korea to become a trainee under MLD Entertainment.When she arrived, language barrier was the first challenge this idol had to overcome. “Because we all have different cultural backgrounds, at first, it was really hard to communicate. We didn’t have a single language that we were all okay with,” Yue recalled. “For Chanty and I, we couldn’t speak Korean at all. So we used a lot of body language to talk to the Korean members.”<cite>@official.lapillus</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - Eventually, through hard work and a strong support system, Yue has improved in the Korean language a lot, and is now able to converse with the fellow members better. But if anything, the 18-year-old thinks that this diversity only made the group closer. They’d be lying if they said they didn’t have petty fights, but Yue pointed out that these actually helped make them feel not just colleagues in a girl group, but also like real sisters. <cite>@official.lapillus</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - And because they get along so well with each other, their chemistry as a group also shines, and that’s crystal clear in their recent comeback via the mini album &#x27;Girls’ Round Part. 1,” featuring the title track &#x27;GRATATA.&#x27; The singer-dancer said that their latest release was an “upgrade” from their debut single &#x27;HIT YA!” in the sense that the new one has a very strong beat and rhythm. &#x27;GRATATA&#x27; also features strong vocals and good performances. “It also really shows a different side of us, and I believe everyone will really like it,” Yue offered.<cite>@official.lapillus</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - Working on and promoting their latest project felt a bit overwhelming for Yue, but she&#x27;s nothing but grateful for the fans’ love and support. As they traveled to the Philippines and had their first international tour in Manila, the K-pop rookie revealed that she felt emotional from the moment they stepped out of the plane. “I just felt super loved by the fans. I was super surprised about how enthusiastic and excited they were when they saw us,” she said.<cite>Ria Regino</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - “I think the most memorable experience was just coming off the airplane, getting out of the airport, getting onto our bus, and there, fans were waiting for us and saying our names,” Yue said of her experience in Manila. “I just felt so happy to have such beautiful and amazingly lovely fans.”<cite>Ria Regino</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p> - But that Manila stop was just the beginning of LAPILLUS’ global showcases; they will make their first US appearance soon via the KAMP LA 2022 event this October. Yue wishes that their fans will keep joining them throughout their journey in K-pop. “In the future, we will work hard to bring more amazing performances and songs,” she promised. We can’t wait for her—and the whole LAPILLUS—to shine brighter not just in the Hallyu scene but also globally.<cite>Ria Regino</cite></p></div></div></div></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/digital-covers/kpop-girl-group-lapillus-digital-magazine-feature/33840" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Global Girl Group Lapillus In Their First-Ever Digital Magazine Cover Feature</a></div><div><br/></div><p><em>LAPILLUS is a six-member multicultural girl group under MLD Entertainment, composed of members Shana (Japanese), Chanty, (Filipino-Argentinian), Bessie (Korean), Yue (Chinese-American), Seowon (Korean), and Haeun (Korean). The group debuted on June 20, 2022 with the digital single album <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkJngWuPPQg" target="_blank"></a></em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkJngWuPPQg" target="_blank">HIT YA!</a><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkJngWuPPQg" target="_blank"></a> <em>LAPILLUS recently embarked on their first international tour with Manila, Philippines as their first stop. Fresh from that two-week tour, the girls made a comeback last September 22 via the EP </em>Girl&#x27;s Round Part. 1<em>, featuring the lead single <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r33CmisuENg" target="_blank">&#x27;GRATATA.&#x27;</a></em></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Check out LAPILLUS&#x27; first-ever digital magazine cover feature <a href="https://metro.style/people/digital-covers/kpop-girl-group-lapillus-digital-magazine-feature/33840" target="_blank">here</a>.</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div class="youtube-iframe"><iframe width="400" height="345" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dflnwhL9LNw" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>Stay tuned for more Metro.Style exclusives on LAPILLUS!</em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Photography by <strong>Ria Regino</strong></p><p>Sittings editors: <strong>Geolette Esguerra</strong>, <strong>Kate Paras-Santiago</strong>, and <strong>Grace Libero-Cruz</strong></p><p>Creative direction by <strong>Chookie Cruz</strong></p><p>Makeup by <strong>Yuna Choi</strong></p><p>Hairstyling by <strong>Kyounghwa Woo</strong></p><p>Lapillus&#x27; stylist: <strong>Yezi Kim</strong></p><p>Fashion styling by <strong>Myrrh Lao To</strong> with associates <strong>Mack Bersalona</strong>, J<strong>osh Galang</strong>, and <strong>Mai Chua</strong></p><p>Writers: <strong>Janelle Cabrera-Paraiso</strong> and <strong>Mariel Abanes</strong> </p><p>Videographers: <strong>CJ Reyes</strong> and <strong>Bria Cardenas</strong></p><p>Shoot coordination: <strong>Red Dimaandal</strong></p><p>Special thanks to <strong>Star Magic</strong>, <strong>Thess Gubi</strong>, <strong>Joanna Almario</strong>, and <strong>MLD Entertainment</strong></p><p>Shot on location at <strong>Collab</strong> at <strong>Sheraton Manila</strong></p><div><br/></div>

This Chinese-American idol traveled from the US to South Korea to pursue a career as a K-pop star. Now, she's excited to see the rest of the world and perform on the global stage with her fellow Lapillus members 