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LIGHTSUM's first unit, consisting of San-a, Chowon, and Juhyun, releases their digital single "Beautiful Pain" with a unique style.

LIGHTSUM's first unit, consisting of San-a, Chowon, and Juhyun, releases their digital single "Beautiful Pain" with a unique style.

January/21/2026 20:26

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San-a, Chowon, and Juhyun of LIGHTSUM have embarked on their first unit activity. Their agency, CUBE Entertainment, released the digital single "Beautiful Pain" through various music distribution sites on January 15, along with a live clip. This single marks LIGHTSUM's first unit project, highlighting the unique vocal personalities of San-a, Chowon, and Juhyun, presenting a different charm from LIGHTSUM's existing musical world. The three previously garnered attention with their performance and explosive singing ability through a cover video of the OST "Golden" from Netflix's "KPOP Girls! Demon Hunters." The digital single "Beautiful Pain" is a reinterpretation of BTOB's hit song of the same name, featuring an arrangement centered around acoustic guitar, complemented by the three members' delicate vocals, expressing the intersecting emotions of beauty and pain in a profound manner. -- Please tell us your first reactions and thoughts when the unit formation was decided. San-a: Since we've often worked together since our trainee days, I felt it was more meaningful to hear about the unit formation. I'm filled with expectations and excitement. Chowon: I'm really happy to be able to work as LIGHTSUM's first unit, and I'm nervous thinking about showing a new side of us. Juhyun: We often stood on stage together since our trainee days. We had a vague dream of standing on stage together officially someday. I'm happy that it has come true. -- Please tell us the differences compared to the original song and the points you focused on. San-a: We focused on harmonizing our vocals while utilizing each of our charms. Since this is our first activity as a ballad, we worked hard to convey the emotional aspects well. Chowon: We particularly focused on vocal practice so that our remake wouldn't be embarrassing when the BTOB seniors listened to it. We tried to express LIGHTSUM's style within that. Juhyun: We wanted to express a warm yet delicate sensibility that matches the winter arrangement. I think listeners will feel a winter sensibility unique to LIGHTSUM, different from the BTOB seniors. -- What are the key points you concentrated on for the vocals and rap in this song? San-a: For the rap part, I consciously recorded to express the atmosphere embedded in the original song in my own way. Chowon: I worked hard to infuse the emotions from the lyrics into my vocals, so that listeners could understand the message even if they only heard my voice. Juhyun: I wanted to show refreshing vocals that open the ears upon hearing. There are many parts where I infused emotions while recording according to the lyrics, so I hope everyone enjoys the lyrics and melody together. -- Through this unit activity, what kind of synergy do you expect for LIGHTSUM as a whole? San-a: I want to discover new aspects through the unit and have that charm naturally blend into our team activities, making us a group with more diverse appeal. Chowon: In group activities, we have focused more on performance, but in unit activities, I want to concentrate on vocals. I think this will be a good opportunity for people to know that LIGHTSUM is also a group strong in vocals. Juhyun: I think this will be a time to show the individual charms that we couldn't fully express in group activities and further expand LIGHTSUM's musical world. -- Please say a word to SUMIT (LIGHTSUM's fans) who have been waiting for your comeback. San-a: Thank you so much for always supporting and waiting by our side. Let's have a lot of fun together during this activity! Chowon: Thank you for waiting quietly. I will repay SUMIT with my singing and voice. I'm always grateful, I love you! Juhyun: I sincerely thank SUMIT for waiting so long. I hope this comeback stage will be a happy present for SUMIT! It's cold, so please take care not to catch a cold, and let's meet soon!

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