What started as a playful side project for three Girls’ Generation members has unexpectedly turned into one of the most talked-about K-pop projects of the moment.
Hyoyeon, Yuri and Sooyoung have joined forces as Hyori-Soo, a tongue-in-cheek project group that began with an intentionally over-the-top concept. But while the trio may be treating the project like a joke, their performances are proving anything but amateur.
The group’s debut digital single, “Skibidi,” quickly grabbed attention after topping Korea’s daily popular music video chart shortly after its release. The track has also continued to appear on major Korean music platforms, showing that the buzz surrounding the project was more than just a social media moment.
Hyori-Soo recently took their act to the stage on MBC’s Show! Music Core, performing “Skibidi” along with their B-side track “Lowkey In Love.”
The performance perfectly captured the group’s unusual identity. Instead of the helicopters and skydiving stunts they had jokingly demanded, the trio performed on a stage featuring a helicopter prop.
Despite the comedic setup, the three veterans delivered confident live vocals and polished choreography. The performance ended with another humorous moment as Yuri and Hyoyeon playfully battled over the center position.
That combination of comedy and genuine talent has become Hyori-Soo’s biggest strength.
The group was born from content on Hyoyeon’s YouTube channel, Hyo’s Level Up, where the singer created a fictional “rival” girl group to challenge Girls’ Generation’s vocal unit TTS. Yuri and Sooyoung eventually joined the project, turning the joke into an actual musical release.
Their entire formation process leaned heavily into the comedy. The members jokingly competed for the main vocal and center positions, revisited their relatively small parts from Girls’ Generation’s earlier days and even insisted that they were members of a fictional “sixth-generation” rookie girl group.
Their appearance on Show! Music Core continued the joke, with the group making exaggerated demands that included a helicopter and skydiving.
But beneath the humor is something that cannot be faked: years of experience.
All three members have spent nearly two decades performing at the highest level of K-pop. That experience allows them to be relaxed, spontaneous and playful without sacrificing the quality of their performances.
Hyori-Soo have since expanded their appearances beyond YouTube and music shows, including appearances on popular Korean variety programs such as You Quiz on the Block and Hangout with Yoo. They also performed at the 2026 Cass Cool Festival, where their stage presence and interaction with the crowd showed why Girls’ Generation remains one of K-pop’s most influential groups.
The contrast is what makes Hyori-Soo so entertaining.
The concept may be deliberately ridiculous, but the music and performances are backed by three seasoned performers who have nothing left to prove.
In the end, Hyori-Soo may have started as a joke—but they are proving that when genuine stars decide to have fun, even a parody can become a legitimate K-pop success.
And judging by the reaction so far, fans may not be ready for whatever this trio decides to do next.