COLLAR Members Reveal Heartfelt Stories Behind Second Album PERSONA
AM730 · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
COLLAR, the Hong Kong girl group that burst onto the scene in January 2022 with "Call My Name!", is approaching their fifth anniversary next year. This September, they released their second physical album "PERSONA" featuring seven tracks, each representing different member personalities and showcasing their artistic evolution. In an exclusive interview with am730, members opened up about the emotional songwriting process, particularly highlighting the letter-writing segment in the music video for "(almost) perfect girl" that left several members including Candy and Marf in tears. The album reflects two years of growth, with nearly all members pursuing solo careers while maintaining their collective identity.
Key Points
- Ivy So described the album as representing "seven colors, seven people"—a departure from their previous "Unit 1201" journey concept, now emphasizing individual traits while staying united
- Winka revealed her track "Wandering Footprints" lyrics describe their journey from "Produce 101 Hong Kong VI" as stray animals rescued by manager Wing, forming a protective sanctuary within COLLAR
- Sumling expressed hope that Hong Kong people will use local songs for dance challenges, stating "the more works, the more choices" for the local music scene
- Day disclosed the music video for "Junior Coming-of-age Ritual" was shot on iPhone over three days in Japan to save budget, capturing cinematic quality despite constraints
- Candy explained reading Ivy's handwritten letter moved her because both have been compared since "Produce 101 Hong Kong IV" and share similar experiences
Why It Matters
The album's theme of "holding hands and walking together" resonates beyond entertainment—it reflects how Hong Kong's idol culture has matured into a community-driven movement where artists and fans support each other through challenges. COLLAR's success in pursuing individual creativity while maintaining group cohesion offers a model for Hong Kong's evolving pop industry amid increasing competition from new girl groups entering the scene .
The album's theme of "holding hands and walking together" resonates beyond entertainment—it reflects how Hong Kong's idol culture has matured into a community-driven movement where artists and fans support each other through challenges. COLLAR's success in pursuing individual creativity while maintaining group cohesion offers a model for Hong Kong's evolving pop industry amid increasing competition from new girl groups entering the scene .