A new virtual girl group, OWIS, made its debut this week with the EP ‘MUSEUM’ and its title track of the same name. The group comprises the virtual members Serene, Haru, Soi, Summer, and Yuni. There are rumors about the actual members, including Lee Haein, who participated in Produce 101 and Idol School and was the creative director of Kiss Of Life. Another rumored member is Lee Ruri (aka Lee Su-hyun), who secured the 13th place on Produce 101 and narrowly missed joining I.O.I. Ruy Sujeong, formerly of Lovelyz, Adora, has also been mentioned. Adora has produced songs for BTS and TXT, while Jini, formerly of NMIXX, is another rumored member. If these rumors are true, the lineup is indeed impressive!

The song ‘MUSEUM’ certainly lives up to the promise of this talented group. The music is smooth and melodic, captivating and addictive in the best way. The lyrics are beautiful and skillfully crafted. The song explores the theme of finding one’s true self amidst the unfolding world while dreaming.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the lines from the song: 

그 날의 기억, 그 달빛을 담은 조각들이

잠이 든 내 우주를 수놓아

너를 알아보게

“The memories of that day, the pieces holding that moonlight,

embroider my sleeping universe,

so that I can recognize you.”

Vocabulary & grammar breakdown

1. 그 날의 기억, 그 달빛을 담은 조각들이

• 그 날의 기억 = “the memory of that day”
• 달빛 = “moonlight”
• 담다 → 담은 = past attributive (“that holds / contains”)
• 조각들 = “pieces / fragments” (–들 = plural)
• –이 = subject marker

→ “pieces that contain that moonlight.”

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2. 잠이 든 내 우주를

• 잠이 들다 = “to fall asleep”
• 잠이 든 = past attributive form
• 내 우주 = “my universe”
• –를 = object marker

→ “my universe that has fallen asleep.”

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3. 수놓아

• 수놓다 = “to embroider / decorate intricately”
• 수놓아 = present/imperative form

→ Often used metaphorically for beautifully filling or decorating something.

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4. 너를 알아보게

• 너를 = “you” (object marker)
• 알아보다 = “to recognize”
• –게 = “so that / in order to”

→ Pattern: verb + –게

= “so that (something happens).”

How do you feel about this debut? Will you follow OWIS as a group? What are your thoughts on virtual groups in general?