Prominent K-pop agency YG Entertainment recently revealed that it will soon debut a new girl group. Yesterday night (27th May 2025, Tuesday), the company introduced the first member of the four-member group, Evelli (이벨리).
The company has been building anticipation for its new girl group, nicknamed YG Next Monster. YG Entertainment executive producer Yang Hyun Suk (양현석) previously revealed that the group will have four members, like their seniors 2NE1 (투애니원) and BLACKPINK (블랙핑크), and will begin their pre-debut activities later this month. 15-year-old Evelli was introduced as the first member of YG Next Monster through a performance video.
In the video, Evelli performed a cover of “Nosebleeds” from American rapper Doechii, showcasing her talents as a rapper. The video ended with a look at the trainee’s profile, revealing her as an “all-rounder” skilled in singing and rapping. The profile also shows that Evelli is from Australia, 163cm tall, multilingual and has trained in YG Entertainment for 2 years.
Within a day, the video raked in over a million views, highlighting the interest in the girl group. However, it also drew mixed reactions from fans and netizens. Those excited about the new debut were impressed by the 15-year-old’s skills, saying she seemed to have a lot of potential. Some also said Evelli appears to be a good fit for YG Entertainment, noting she has a similar aura to her seniors in BABYMONSTER (베이비몬스터), notably Ruka (루카/ルカ).
However, the introduction video also drew criticism towards YG Entertainment. Many lamented the label’s choice to debut someone so young, which is a common argument regarding newly debuted idols. Others argued that her rap skills are still average, noting she could’ve trained longer to hone her skills. Some also debated the song choice, arguing that “Nosebleeds” contained themes and topics inappropriate for a minor.
Regardless of the criticism, many said they look forward to seeing more from the new girl group. YG Entertainment will continue to reveal the other members of YG Next Monster through various teaser content. What are your thoughts on Evelli so far?
Check out her video below:
