(Blockberry Creative)

After spending the past two years introducing its dozen members through individual and subunit releases, Loona, whose Korean name translates to “Girls of the Month,” finally made an official debut as a complete group with debut EP “Plus Plus.”

“It took us nearly two years to introduce all 12 members from our very first one. We feel very nervous right now, but our fans have waited through those times,” said Heejin during the group’s media showcase for “Plus Plus” in Seoul on Monday.

“We will show everything we’ve prepared so that our effort doesn’t go in vain,” JinSoul said.

Fronting the K-pop girl group’s new six-track album is lead track “Hi High,” an upbeat electro sound that delivers the bubbly energy of the band, as well as the group’s ambition to carve out its own niche in the scene. The track’s vibrantly hued music video features the bandmates clad in a youthful schoolgirl look, running and jumping.

The album also includes tracks like “favOriTe,” “Perfect Love” and “Stylish.”

(Blockberry Creative)

Prior to its debut, the act, which consists of ViVi, Yves, JinSoul, HaSeul, Kim Lip, Chuu, HeeJin, HyunJin, Go Won, Choerry, Olivia Hye and YeoJin, had often been promoted with the phrase “grand project” for its expansive production budget of 9.9 billion won ($8.8 million).

Since the group’s agency Blockberry Creative announced the start of its large-scale girl group project in October 2016, each of the 12 bandmates of Loona was revealed separately over 18 months, either through solo or subunit albums. They have released three Eps, from subunits 1/3, Odd Eye Circle and yyxy, including “Love & Live,” “Mix & Match” and “Beauty & the Beat,” along with 19 singles. On Aug. 7, the group released single “favOriTe,” the act’s first single to feature the full dozen.

The group has also gained a large group of fans, which it collectively calls “Orbit” thanks to the group’s elaborate and unique concept for each album that incorporates hidden meanings and theories leading to Loona’s own “Loonaverse.”

Despite the long rollout, the bandmates said they made good use of the time honing their talents.

“Two years, it was definitely not a short time. Enduring those times has been tough, but we tried to stay as positive as possible,” Hyunjin said.

“We are also eyeing a rookie award this year,” HaSeul added.

Loona held its grand-scale, sold-out debut concert “Loonabirth” on Sunday at Olympic Hall in eastern Seoul.

(lotus@heraldcorp.com)