HYBE is launching a new girlgroup, Girls Archives., a five-member Japan-Korea project that blends real artists with virtual characters in what Japan calls a 2.5D entertainment experience. They are building an entire fictional universe alongside the members from day one.
Many BTS fans will say “sounds familiar”. Well, yes. It certainly is a product of BTS’ HWA YANG YEON HWA. Here’s everything you need to know about this new girlgroup with a unique concept.
Girls Archive Is A 2.5d Girlgroup
Girls Archives. (걸스아카이브 / ガールズ・アーカイブ) is HYBE’s latest girl group project — a Japan-Korea hybrid 5-member group blending real-life performers with 2.5D virtual avatars/characters. It was announced around June 23–24, 2026.
Partners & Concept
- HYBE NEB (Next Entertainment Business): Handles concept design, storytelling, and IP development (they’ve worked on transmedia projects like BTS webtoons and ENHYPEN content).
- INCS toenter (Japanese company): Organizer and main production partner. They represent digital-native artists (supercell, Eve, HoneyWorks) and have worked on anime/movie soundtracks.
The term “2.5D” originated in Japan and generally refers to entertainment that exists between the real and fictional worlds. Rather than replacing human performers with virtual idols, 2.5D projects allow real artists and fictional characters to coexist. Fans can follow both the performers’ real lives and the fictional stories surrounding their characters across music, animation, games, social media, and live events.
HYBE NEB and INCS Toenter Partnership
INCS isn’t just another Japanese label. INCS is deeply rooted in Japan’s internet-native music culture. Their roster includes artists such as:
- supercell
- HoneyWorks
- Eve
supercell
One of Japan’s most influential internet-born music collectives. They helped popularize the Vocaloid movement through songs featuring Hatsune Miku before later working with human vocalists, creating numerous anime theme songs and becoming a defining force in Japan’s online music culture.
Vocaloid is a singing voice software. Instead of hiring a human singer, producers type in lyrics and melodies, then the software “sings” them using a voicebank.
The most famous Vocaloid is Hatsune Miku, a virtual singer with a turquoise twin-tail design. She is not a real person, but she became a massive pop-culture figure in Japan because thousands of creators made songs using her voice.
HoneyWorks
A hugely popular music creator unit best known for turning interconnected love stories into songs, music videos, novels, manga, and anime. Their multimedia storytelling has made them one of Japan’s pioneers in narrative-driven pop music.
Eve
One of Japan’s biggest contemporary singer-songwriters, known for blending alternative pop with striking animated music videos and major anime themes, including Jujutsu Kaisen. His music regularly reaches hundreds of millions of views on YouTube and has become a gateway between internet music culture and mainstream Japanese pop.
These aren’t traditional idol producers. They’re creators whose audiences were built through YouTube, Nico Nico Douga, Vocaloid culture and anime. This project isn’t just another KPOP group. It’s trying to merge:
- K-pop idol system
- anime
- Vocaloid culture
- digital-native fandom
That’s a very different market.
On the other hand, HYBE NEB isn’t another label. Its purpose is literally to create future IP beyond music. It already oversees story universes like:
- 7FATES: CHAKHO
- DARK MOON
- THE STAR SEEKERS
- SUMMER MOON
Now it’s creating an artist whose fictional world exists from day one.
Core Concept
“Archives” refers to recording and preserving memories, diaries, and stories. Each real member has a corresponding virtual “Diary” character (illustrated by next-gen artist LAM, known for Hatsune Miku V6 work).
The project links the girls’ real-world activities with parallel virtual stories and worlds that grow independently over time. It emphasizes ethereal, transmedia storytelling that merges real and virtual elements.
Key Story Elements:
- A girl’s consciousness is “born” like a blank sheet of paper (a diary).
- The virtual “Diary” character grows by feeding on the real girl’s records, words, and experiences.
- Words from a fountain pen become letters → rooms → entire worlds and timelines.
- The real members and their virtual counterparts have a reciprocal, two-way relationship: They influence and grow together.
- Over time, the virtual characters become independent entities with their own lives, personalities, and worldviews.
It’s not just “real + virtual side-by-side” — it’s an evolving, emotional story where memories and inner worlds manifest as living virtual characters (designed by illustrator LAM). The project uses multiple platforms (SNS, YouTube, virtual spaces) to gradually reveal member backstories and expand the lore.
Pre-debut single “Reborn” (August 7, 2026) serves as the first major storytelling piece.
You Need To Know LAM A Little Better
Most Western readers won’t immediately recognize LAM. But anime fans absolutely will.
LAM is one of Japan’s most recognizable modern illustrators, known for:
- Hatsune Miku V6 visuals
- vibrant neon color palettes
- futuristic character design
- illustrations that already carry a massive online following
They’re not just hiring an illustrator. They’re borrowing credibility from an existing anime fanbase.
Members
The group has 5 teen members (born 2007–2011). Three are former R U Next? contestants, one from The Debut: Dream Academy, and one former Pledis trainee. Each has a representative color tied to their virtual diary character.
Sojeong (소정 / ソジョン)
- Birth Name: Jung So-jeong (정소정)
- Birthday: January 28, 2007 (Aquarius, Year of the Dog)
- Nationality: Korean
- Representative Color: Cyan (#cefdfe)
Sojeong is a former Pledis Entertainment trainee. She passed their audition in 2020 and trained there for several years before the Girls Archives. project.
2. Yuisa (유이사 / ゆいさ)
- Birth Name: Ura Yuisa (浦唯沙)
- Birthday: May 23, 2007 (Gemini, Year of the Pig)
- Nationality: Japanese (from Nagasaki)
- Blood Type: B
- MBTI: ISFJ
- Representative Color: Purple (#a698c4)
- Instagram: @rlollrv
Yuisa previously debuted in a Japanese girl group called ＧＯＬ☆ＨＡＦ２ before joining the HYBE/Belift system. She was a contestant for R U Next? in June 2023 and was eliminated in Episode 3 (ranked around 22nd after the second round). She attends Konkuk University (acting department).
3. Seoyeon (서연 / ソヨン)
- Birth Name: Hong Seo-yeon (홍서연)
- Birthday: May 24, 2008 (Gemini, Year of the Rat)
- Nationality: Korean (from Wonju, Gangwon-do)
- Blood Type: B
- MBTI: INFP
- Representative Color: Green (#c6db99)
Seoyeon was a Belift Lab trainee and participated in R U Next? (2023). She was eliminated in Episode 7/8, ranking around 14th–15th. She mentioned having an older brother and a dog named Jjukku.
She was known for her bright, cheerful, and energetic (fitting her “Vitamin” nickname), but also has a softer, introspective INFP side. Fans think she is the epitome of the diary-themed concept.
She attends Apgujeong High School.
4. Hinari (히나리 / ひなり)
- Birth Name: Irie Hinari (入江ひなり)
- Birthday: February 19, 2009 (Pisces, Year of the Ox)
- Nationality: Japanese (from Tokyo)
- Height: 160 cm (5’3”)
- Representative Color: Pink (#ecc9de)
- Nickname: Hinarin (ひなりん)
Hinari gained attention as a contestant on The Debut: Dream Academy (HYBE x Geffen, 2023). She was the youngest participant at the time (joined at age 14) and was eliminated early (19th place, after Mission 1).
She started dancing at age 12 and has ma
She seemed to have maintained a close, supportive relationship with KATSEYE members.
Fans often call her the “baby” of Dream Academy.
5. Ena (에나 / えな) – Maknae
- Birth Name: Sakata Ena (坂田絵奈)
- Birthday: February 17, 2011 (Aquarius, Year of the Rabbit)
- Nationality: Japanese
- MBTI: ESFP
- Representative Color: Yellow (#fff9ab)
Ena was the youngest contestant on R U Next? (born 2011). She was eliminated in Episode 5, ranking 19th. She had very limited prior public exposure before the show.
Pre-Debut & Music
They will release a Pre-debut single: “Reborn” — Digital release on August 7, 2026.
It serves as the theme song for the Netflix animated film THE RIBBON HERO (リボンヒーロー), which begins worldwide streaming on August 8, 2026.
It is produced by HoneyWorks and SHAUN.
A music video/teaser was released alongside the announcement.
This is launching alongside a worldwide Netflix release. That means many people may discover Girls Archives through an anime before ever hearing of the group itself. That’s becoming increasingly common.
Full group debut is expected in the second half of 2026 or later.
You can follow them on girls underscore archives underscore on almost all social media networks.
