Get to know the trio reshaping their identity, their artistry, and their future together.
Guess who’s back — and stepping into a new era with purpose. The track off their first release as AWU lands with extra meaning as three familiar faces begin a bright new chapter together. Formed by former PIXY members DIA, LOLA, and U_Chae, AWU marks the kind of reunion fans have quietly hoped for: heartfelt, hard‑won, and rooted in a bond that never faded. Their return isn’t just a continuation of what once was. It’s a celebration of growth, resilience, and the shared passion that brought them here. As a trio, they carry forward the connection they built before while shaping a fresh identity that feels both exciting and deeply personal.
On April 9, 2026, AWU officially debuted with their mini album Re:frame — a project that reflects where they’ve been and the direction they’re determined to go. Centered on themes of perspective and self‑discovery, the album captures their evolution as artists while spotlighting the chemistry that makes them so compelling together. From the confident punch of their title track “Guess Who’s Back” to the pre‑release single “Rose,” which first signaled this new era, Re:frame presents a sound that’s polished, expressive, and intentional.
In this exclusive interview, AWU opens up about what it means to reunite, the creative journey behind Re:frame, and the excitement of building something new as a trio. They share their thoughts on growth, artistry, and the message they hope to offer fans who have supported them every step of the way.
HELLOKPOP: Hi AWU! Congratulations on your debut with the mini album Re:frame. For readers meeting you in this new chapter, how would you introduce yourselves as a trio, and what does AWU represent to you?
AWU: Hello, we’re AWU! First of all, AWU stands for “All Winxy Unite.” We chose this name to mean gathering once again with WINXY, who gave us so much love during our time as PIXY. For us, AWU is also a precious new beginning. Because of that, we feel even more ambitious to show many different sides of ourselves that we weren’t able to fully share before.
HKP: Coming together again as three members with shared history, how would you describe your group dynamic now compared to before?
AWU: Through our previous activities, we’ve grown and learned so much, and because of that, we feel more mature and much more willing to take on new challenges. Each of our individual colors has also become stronger, and we believe we’ll continue to positively influence one another moving forward.
HKP: Each of you has grown individually over time—what’s one new side of yourselves that you’re excited to show through AWU?
DIA
AWU: We want to continue growing into more artistic versions of ourselves and show how actively we’re willing to challenge ourselves with the kind of music we truly want to pursue.
HKP: When you first began working on Re:frame, what kind of identity or mood were you aiming to establish for AWU?
AWU: Just like the meaning of the album itself, we approached it with the mindset of starting anew. Rather than focusing on one single identity, we wanted to bring together each of our now more clearly defined individual selves to show a deeper, bolder, and more challenging side of AWU. We hope you’ll look forward to us as we continue fearlessly expressing and exploring the music we want to share.
HKP: If you had to describe Re:frame in three words, what would they be?
AWU: Familiarity.
HKP: What kind of story or emotional journey did you want listeners to experience from start to finish with this debut mini album?
AWU: Rather than hoping listeners would feel one specific emotion or interpret it in one particular way, we’re actually more excited to hear each person’s own personal emotions and unique understanding of our music. We think it would be really fun to hear all the different reasons and feelings people connect to it with. We’re truly curious about how everyone experiences it.
HKP: “Guess Who’s Back” makes a strong first impression—what message were you hoping to send with this track as your reintroduction?
AWU: Since we came from a five-member group into this new chapter as three members, some people may naturally feel a sense of emptiness—but we wanted to show that while it may be different, it’s never lacking. We wanted to prove that we can show a completely different side that is just as powerful. And just like the title says, we also wanted to clearly announce: we’re back.
HKP: As a pre-release, “Rose” gave listeners an early glimpse into your new era—why was this the right song to introduce AWU, and what does it represent within the larger story of the album?
AWU: Personally, when I think of a rose, it’s such a beautiful flower, but because it’s so beautiful, it has thorns to protect itself. In a way, that feels very similar to AWU. We may be beautiful, delicate, and precious, but because we also carry many wounds, there’s a sense of protecting ourselves through stronger musical and atmospheric imagery. That’s why “Rose” felt like such a fitting introduction to AWU.
U_Chae
HKP: How do “Rose” and “Guess Who’s Back” complement or contrast each other in terms of message and sound?
AWU: “Rose” feels closer to the style people may remember from PIXY, with a more emotional narrative and delicate atmosphere, while “Guess Who’s Back” strongly emphasizes AWU’s new presence and energy. They each have very different textures, but because of that, we feel these two songs together showcase AWU’s duality and wider range of charm even better.
HKP: Vocally and performance-wise, how did you push yourselves or try new approaches on this project?
AWU: Our title track, “Guess Who’s Back,” is based on an EDM sound, so since we were stepping into a new genre, we prepared it with the idea of creating something exciting that fans could really jump and have fun with when meeting us again.
HKP: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while preparing for this debut—whether creatively, emotionally, or behind the scenes?
AWU:I think the idea of this being a “new beginning” as three members felt especially significant. There was a lot of excitement, but because of that, we also put even more thought and care into everything. We spent a lot of time thinking about what kind of image and presence the three of us should present as the start of AWU.
HKP: As you move forward, how do you hope to continue evolving AWU’s sound and musical identity?
AWU: We don’t want to place limits on the genres or styles we can show as three members—we want to keep challenging ourselves without boundaries. Our goal is to build an identity where listeners can instantly feel, “This is AWU,” while also continuing to surprise people each time with something new.
HKP: Lastly, please leave a message for fans reading this.
DIA: WINXY! Thank you so much for always supporting us and giving us so much love. Because WINXY was there for us, we were able to begin again, and we believe we’ll continue moving forward with strength because of you. We’ll keep working hard to bring you even better music as AWU, so please stay with us and continue looking forward to our journey. Thank you always, and we love you so much.
LOLA: Hello, this is LOLA of AWU! I’m so thankful for this opportunity to greet you through this interview. If there are fans getting to know us for the first time through this, thank you so much for your interest! AWU is a group with so many different charms, so please continue to watch us with lots of love and support. WINXY, we love you!!
U_Chae: Thank you so much for always supporting us and waiting for us ever since our PIXY days. I’m so happy that we can begin this new chapter of AWU history together with all of you. We’ll repay your love with great music and performances, so I truly hope you’ll stay with us until the very end of this journey. Thank you always, and we love you.
LOLA
Listen to AWU’s discography on Spotify or Apple Music.
Connect with AWU on Instagram, IG (DIA), IG (LOLA), IG (U_Chae), YouTube, and X.
*Special thanks to the members of AWU and JUNITY Entertainment for this exclusive interview.
Image and Video Credits: JUNITY Entertainment