By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) How were you approached to participate in “KPOPPED” and what made you want to sign on?
MOON SUA: When we first got the offer, we immediately thought, “This is a chance to showcase K-pop in a new way to artists and fans all around the world.” That’s why we didn’t hesitate to take part in the show. What excited us the most was that it wasn’t just a simple stage performance; we had the opportunity to share ideas and reimagine the performance with legendary and iconic artists. Exploring how different musical backgrounds and performance styles could intersect made us really reflect on, “How can we express Billlie’s unique color within this collaboration?” That process itself became a huge source of inspiration for us.
Q) Patti LaBelle is so legendary, what surprised you the most about working with her?
SUHYEON: Patti LaBelle is a legendary artist who has been loved consistently since the 1960s. It’s amazing that she continues to deliver incredible performances after all these years, but what impressed me even more was her influence as an artist who paved the way so that junior artists like us can also stay on stage for a long time. Despite her age, the soulful emotion and powerful vocals that came through our in-ears were truly overwhelming. On top of that, the way she communicated with the audience on stage, her attitude and stage manners, and even how she thoughtfully cared for the staff and for us behind the scenes, impressed me so much.
HARAM: What struck me most about Patti LaBelle’s stage was that it wasn’t just a performance, but a storytelling experience. Even during rehearsals or off-camera, she always focused on the music, the audience and the people she was working with. Witnessing and feeling her energy and professionalism up close, I learned so much and was truly in awe. In addition, seeing her ability to create a stage where she connects with the audience, anytime and anywhere, made me realize why she is called a legendary artist.
Q) When you found out you would be paired with Patti Labelle, what were your initial thoughts and feelings?
TSUKI: Personally, it was such an honor. Ever since I was young, I’ve been dancing to Patti LaBelle’s music, so hearing her voice directly while preparing for the stage brought me to tears, as it was an overwhelming feeling that no word could fully capture. Her voice goes beyond technical perfection and it carries heartfelt stories and a resonance that truly moves the listeners. Each line from her filled the space with power and it made me realize that one day, I also want to grow into an artist who can inspire younger performers and become a meaningful role model, just like she has been for me.
Q) “Lady Marmalade” is such an iconic song, how did you handle making it fresh by K-pop while also keeping its famous essence?
HARAM: “Lady Marmalade” is such an iconic song, so our biggest challenge was figuring out how to reinterpret it in Billlie’s own style. After much thought, we decided to focus on transforming the richness of the original chorus into something unique through the members’ distinct voices. By layering our different vocal tones into detailed harmonies and adding ad-libs, we created more depth and dimension for this stage. Since “Lady Marmalade” is already a masterpiece, we wanted to stay true to its essence while adding Billlie’s vibe and subtle dynamics to express the song in the most authentic way possible.
Q) Was there anything about your musical collaboration and performance that intimidated you or that you found most challenging?
SUHYEON: Rather than feeling difficult or challenged, I was mostly filled with excitement and nervousness. To perform on stage with a legendary artist like Patti LaBelle is such an honor. That’s why we thought deeply about how we could present Billlie’s unique concept and performance details while also respecting the energy of the original song and the styles of the other artists. We discussed a lot among ourselves to refine that idea.
SHEON: Because I wanted to deliver the most perfect performance possible, I paid close attention to details like the tone, breathing and pronunciation of my rap part. At the same time, I worked on creating a more dramatic flow to stand out from the original song and carefully refined each movement so that our choreography and stage composition would present something new. Within the format of a “reinterpretation,” we focused on making sure Billlie’s own color truly stood out.
Q) Patti LaBelle is known for her soulfulness and sass, what do you admire about her music?
HARAM: I was deeply moved by Patti LaBelle’s passion and her unwavering faith in music and I think it gave us great inspiration for the path we should follow as artists going forward. She has the power to fully convey emotions and completely draw listeners in just with her voice alone, which is truly amazing. Her confidence and charisma on stage are astounding, but what touched me more was her years of experience, efforts and profound love for music. Being able to share the stage with her was a great honor.
Q) What kind of advice and insight did Patti offer to you when constructing your performance and arrangements?
TSUKI: She told us that the most important thing on stage is the mindset to enjoy and love. After hearing that advice and watching her perform live, I could see she really embodied those words. She was enjoying every moment of the stage to the fullest. Every expression and gesture carried genuine passion and love for music and performance. We were able to feel that energy naturally as well, which allowed us to perform with much sincerity and joy.
Q) Did you get to spend any time with or get to know any of the other participants in the series?
SIYOON: I had the chance to greet Patti LaBelle, who was on our opponent team for the show, and I was so nervous because she’s such a legendary artist whom I’ve always admired. But when she looked at us with a kind, warm smile and even complimented us, saying we looked beautiful. I felt so happy and touched and that interaction really warmed my heart. After watching her performance, I thought to myself that one day I also want to become an artist like Patti LaBelle, someone who can always deliver a flawless stage performance regardless of age.
Q) What did you take away from your experiences performing with her as an artist and vocalist?
SUHYEON: Performing alongside Patti LaBelle reminded me once again that music has the power to go beyond expression and connect people. Every single note and phrase she delivered carried full emotions and she also had an undeniable presence that filled the entire stage. Watching her up close taught me that not just skill or talent, but also love for music and consistent dedication matter a lot. I was especially impressed to learn how confidence and charisma on stage can coexist with modesty and warmth and I think that lesson inspired me greatly in the way we express music moving forward.
Q) Billlie received a lot of good reviews from the viewers for your performance on “KPOPPED.” What does it mean to you that the fans were so impressed by your time on the show?
SIYOON: The support we receive from fans feels like so much more than just “gaining strength.” The energy we gain while communicating and interacting with them allows us to deliver even greater performances. During our “KPOPPED” stage, we drew so much strength from all the reactions from each audience member, which motivated us to complete a powerful performance and it was truly a special experience. Moments like that, where the cheers and responses go back and forth, remind us again of the reason and meaning behind why we do music.
SHEON: On every stage we stand on, including the “KPOPPED” stage, each reaction from the fans feels like it becomes part of our performance itself. Whether it’s smiles, cheers or applause, it always makes me think, “This is why we perform.” At the same time, we were able to carry that energy directly into our performance. It didn’t feel like just simple support, but rather, it felt like a stage that we built together with our fans and that made it the most special.
Q) What would you like to say to everyone who are fans and supporters of the incredible music that you make?
HARUNA: I want to sincerely thank all the fans who always support Billlie and love our music. Because of your support and interest, we can find the courage to take on new challenges and also truly enjoy singing on every stage. We’ll continue doing our best to become a group that shares smiles and creates special memories with you through music. Thank you so much for always being by our side. Billlie loves Belllie’ve!
MOON SUA: No matter how much we say “thank you” and “love you,” it still feels like it’s never enough. The gratitude and affection we feel for our fans go far beyond words. Thanks to the energy our fans give us, we can express ourselves more freely and boldly on stage and try new things without fear. If Billlie’s songs and performances can bring even a small resonance to your day, then that’s the greatest gift to us. Moving forward, we want to keep building special stories together and enrich each other’s worlds through music. Belllie’ve, Please keep staying with us!