Billlie (Korean: 빌리; RR: Billi; stylized as Bi11lie or Billlǃə) is a South Korean girl group formed by Mystic Story. Billlie debuted on November 10, 2021, with the extended play (EP) The Billage of Perception: Chapter One. The group originally consisted of six members: Moon Sua, Suhyeon, Haram, Tsuki, Siyoon and Haruna. A seventh member, Sheon, later joined the group.
The name Billlie is spelled with three Ls due to the fact that the name can be broken down into 'Bi' (Korean word for rain), '11', and 'lie' — Bi11lie. The number '11' came from their group's legend; "When the 11th bell rings in the middle of a purple rain, something strange happens", where the members lie about what happened in order to keep the event a secret. The name also reflects their "B-sides, the inner-self that everyone has inside them", which they express in hope to empathize with the audience.[2][3]
The members of Billlie were known as Mystic Rookies — a rookie development program under Mystic Story. On September 14, Mystic Story announced plans to debut Mystic rookies in November 2021.[4] On October 11, it was revealed that the group would be named 'Billlie'.[5]
Prior to debut, Moon Sua was a YG Entertainment trainee for 10 years. She participated in the music competition program Unpretty Rapstar 2 finishing as the third runner-up.[6][7] Suhyeon participated in the Mnet survival program Produce 101 placing 69th and eliminated in the fifth episode. She also participated in the JTBC survival program Mix Nine and starred in the web drama A-Teen in 2018, and its 2019 sequel A-Teen 2.[8] Haram and Tsuki are former SM Entertainment trainees.[8] Additionally, Tsuki worked as a model for the magazine Popteen and released the single "Magic" with the modeling group MAGICOUR in 2020.[9] Sheon participated in the Mnet survival program Girls Planet 999, and was eliminated in the final episode placing tenth.[10] Siyoon participated in the talent show K-pop Star 5 and also worked as a model for the magazine Popteen.[8]
2021–2022: Debut with The Billage of Perception: Chapter One, "Snowy Night", The Collective Soul and Unconscious: Chapter One and The Billage of Perception: Chapter Two
On October 28, it was announced that their debut EP The Billage of Perception: Chapter One would be released on November 10. A fan song titled "Flowerld", which was also included on the EP, was also released on the same day.[11]
On November 10, their debut EP The Billage of Perception: Chapter One was released featuring lead single "Ring X Ring" and five B-side tracks.[12]
On November 19, it was announced that Kim Su-yeon, who had participated in Girls Planet 999, would join the group under the stage name Sheon (션) as the seventh member, and would officially join the group for their next album.[13] On November 27, Sheon made a surprise appearance performing title track "Ring X Ring" along with the other members on South Korean music show Show! Music Core, marking her first appearance with the group.[14]
On December 14, the group released their first digital single albumThe Collective Soul and Unconscious: Snowy Night with "Snowy Night" as the lead single. The single is the group's first release to feature member Sheon.[15][16]
On February 7, 2023, it was announced the group would be releasing their fourth EP.[21] On March 6, it was announced that their fourth EP The Billage of Perception: Chapter Three, featuring lead single "Eunoia", would be released on March 28.[22]
On April 20, Mystic Story announced that the group's activities have been halted, due to the sudden death of Moon Sua's brother Moonbin of Astro.[23] Subsequently on April 25, Mystic Story announced that promotions for the EP have concluded, and that member Moon Sua would be taking time off, with the remaining 6 members to continue activities.[24] On June 15th, It was announced that Suhyeon would also be going on hiatus, for health reasons. [25]
The group released their first single album Side-B: Memoirs of Echo Unseen. The album's single "BYOB (Bring Your Own Best Friend)", together with its English-language version, was pre-released on September 27. The lead single "Dang! (Hocus Pocus)", together with the entire album was released on October 23.[26] Members Moon Sua and Suhyeon would not be involved in this release due to their hiatuses from health issues.[27]
On April 12, 2024, it was announced that members Moon Sua and Suhyeon would resume activities after being on hiatus due to health issues.[28] On October 2, it was announced that the group would be releasing their fifth EP Appendix: Of All We Have Lost on October 16, with the pre-release single "Trampoline" releasing on October 11.[29] The music video teaser for the lead single "Remembrance Candy" (Korean: 기억사탕; RR: Gieoksatang) includes a special narration by singer-songwriter IU, who also wrote the lyrics for the song.[30]
^"미스틱스토리, 김수현·문수아 걸그룹 11월 론칭(공식)" [Mystic Story, Kim Soo-hyun, Moon Soo-ah girl group launched in November (official)]. JoyNews24 (in Korean). September 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^"미스틱 첫 걸그룹, 그룹명 빌리..11월 6인조 데뷔[공식]" [Mystic's first girl group, group name Billlie... Debut as a 6-member group in November [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). October 12, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^강서정 (August 27, 2015). "'언프리티2', YG 문수아 포함 래퍼 11인 단체포스터 공개" ['Unpretty 2' released a group poster with 11 rappers, including YG Moon Soo-ah]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^"'언프리티 랩스타 시즌2' 마지막회, 어차피 우승은 트루디, 최대의 수혜자는 예지, 성장은 수아-전지윤 (종합)" [The last episode of 'Unpretty Rapstar Season 2', the winner is Trudy anyway, the biggest beneficiary is Yeji, and the growth is Sua, Jeon Ji-yoon (comprehensive)]. Sports Q (in Korean). November 14, 2015. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^ abc"빌리, '에이틴' 여보람 걸그룹 데뷔→문수아 12년 연습 빛보기까지 [N인터뷰]" [Billlie, 'A-Teen' Yeo Bo-ram's girl group debut → Moon Soo-ah's 12-year practice shine [N Interview]]. News1 (in Korean). November 20, 2021. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^"元Popteenモデル福富つき&ASTRO妹が所属!6人組ガールズグループBilllieが11月10日にデビュー決定" [Former Popteen model with Fukutomi & ASTRO sister belongs! 6-member girl group Billlie will debut on November 10]. Kstyle. October 29, 2021. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
^Baek, Ji-eun (November 19, 2021). "[공식] '걸스플래닛999' 김수연, 미스틱 1호 걸그룹 빌리 합류...활동명 션 변경" [[Official] 'Girls Planet 999' Kim Soo-yeon joins Mystic's first girl group Billlie... Change the activity name]. Chosun. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
^"'미스틱 첫 걸그룹' 빌리, 데뷔 전 팬송 'FLOWERLD' 이색 선공개" ['Mystic's first girl group' Billlie, pre-debut fan song 'FLOWERLD', a unique pre-release]. Osen (in Korean). October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 31, 2021 – via Naver.
^ ab"'걸스플래닛999' 김수연, 빌리 합류+활동명 션으로 변경(공식입장)" ['Girls Planet 999' Kim Soo-yeon joins Billlie + changes her activity name to Sheon (official position)]. Newsen (in Korean). October 28, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2021 – via Naver.
^"빌리, 데뷔 1달 된 신인 맞아? 겨울 감성 한도초과한 'Snowy Night'('돌들의 침묵')[종합]" [Billlie, are you a rookie who debuted a month ago? 'Snowy Night' ('Silence of the Stones'), which exceeded the limit of winter emotion [General]]. Osen (in Korean). December 16, 2021. Archived from the original on December 17, 2021. Retrieved December 17, 2021 – via Naver.
^"빌리, 23일 컴백 확정..탄탄한 세계관 확장 예고 [공식]" [Billy confirms comeback on the 23rd..Solid worldview expansion notice [Official]] (in Korean). Osen. February 11, 2022. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via Naver.
^Park, Ah-reum (August 8, 2022). "빌리, 8월 말 초고속 컴백..걸그룹 대전 합류[공식]" [Billlie, a high-speed comeback at the end of August...[Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 26, 2022. Retrieved August 26, 2022 – via Naver.
^"[공식] '10월 컴백' 빌리, 신곡 일부 틱톡 선공개...첫 영어곡 기대" [[Official] 'October comeback' Billlie, new song preview released on TikTok... anticipations for first English song] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. September 25, 2023. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved September 25, 2023 – via Naver.
^"빌리, 10월 컴백...'활동중단' 문수아·수현 제외 5인 체제" [Billlie, comeback on October.. halted activities' Moon Sua, Suhyeon to be excluded, 5 members' comeback] (in Korean). Newsis. September 19, 2023. Archived from the original on September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 24, 2023 – via Naver.
^"빌리, 다시 7인조...문수아·수현 활동 재개" [Billlie, 7-member group again... Moon Sua·Suhyeon to resume activities] (in Korean). Newsis. April 12, 2024. Archived from the original on July 20, 2024. Retrieved April 12, 2024 – via Naver.
^Jang, Woo-young (October 2, 2024). "빌리, 11일 선행 싱글→16일 미니 5집 발매..'10월 컴백 대전' 출격" [Billlie, pre-release single on the 11th → 5th mini album released on the 16th..'October Comeback Battle' is on the way] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 2, 2024 – via Naver.
"Ring X Ring": 2021년 46주차 Download Chart [Week 46 of 2021 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
"GingaMingaYo (The Strange World)": 2022년 11주차 Download Chart [Week 11 of 2022 Download Chart]. Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
^Billlie | 'RING X RING' M/V (Music video). Mystic Story. November 10, 2021. Archived from the original on December 29, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021 – via YouTube.
^Billlie | 'snowy night' M/V (Music video). Mystic Story. December 14, 2021. Archived from the original on December 30, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021 – via YouTube.
^Billlie | 'trampoline' M/V (Music video). Mystic Story. October 11, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024 – via YouTube.
^Billlie | '기억사탕' M/V (Music video). Mystic Story. October 16, 2024. Retrieved October 16, 2024 – via YouTube.
^Foundation Special Report AAA (December 13, 2022). "이준호·임영웅·세븐틴→스키즈·아이브·뉴진스 AAA 대상..김선호 4관왕[2022 AAA][종합]" [Lee Jun-ho·Lim Young-woong·Seventeen → Skiz·Ive·New Jeans AAA Grand Prize..Kim Seon-ho wins 4 crowns[2022 AAA][Comprehensive]] (in Korean). MT Star News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. Retrieved December 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Ha-na (April 10, 2024). "대상 주인은 스트레이 키즈, TXT 4관왕→트레저·더보이즈 3관왕(종합][ASEA 2024]" [Grand Prize winner is Stray Kids, TXT 4 wins → Treasure and The Boyz 3 wins (Overall)[ASEA 2024]]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 11, 2024. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
^Ji, Mi-kyung (January 3, 2023). "빌리, '2023 대한민국 퍼스트브랜드 대상' 여자아이돌 부문 수상" [Billlie won the '2023 Korea First Brand Grand Prize' in the female idol category] (in Korean). Osen. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023 – via Naver.
^Kim, Saet-byeol (February 11, 2023). "'한터뮤직어워즈' 개막, 김호중 2관왕으로 첫날 장식(종합)" ['Hanteo Music Awards' opens, decorates the first day with Kim Ho-joong's 2 crowns (comprehensive)] (in Korean). The Fact. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023 – via Naver.