Girl group H1-KEY returned with a hopeful message emphasizing inner strength with its second EP "Seoul Dreaming" on Wednesday.

“Seoul is a city where the feelings of hope, despair, joy and sorrow all intersect, and in our album, we are telling everyone that we will sing until everyone in the city recognizes us,” Hwiseo, the group’s main vocalist, said during a press showcase that day at the Blue Square in Yongsan District, central Seoul, ahead of the album’s release.

The quartet's lead track "Seoul (Such a Beautiful City)" was written by Young K from DAY6, who had also written the group's hit song "Red Blossom," released in January. At the time, the song was praised for the warm yet resolute lyrics that sing of the ambitious goal to flourish as a rose, blooming in between the high-rise buildings.

The group's new lead track shares a warmth similar to that of "Rose Blossom," while delivering a hopeful message that dreams can come true as people come together.

“While names of both the album and our lead track talk about Seoul, it’s not just for the people of Seoul,” Yel said. “It’s for everyone around the world with a dream.”

Even for Yel, “Seoul” was an especially relatable song despite being the only member in the group that wasn’t born and raised in Seoul.

“I’m actually from Changwon [in South Gyeongsang], and when I first heard the song, all the memories I had as I traveled back and forth and eventually moved to Seoul to pursue my dreams really came about,” Yel said.

“That’s when I knew that I could express the song very well. […] It’s a very meaningful track for me.”

The members of H1-KEY were also not afraid of the unprecedented success of “Rose Blossom.”

“'Rose Blossom’ received a lot of love from the general public, and instead of it being a burden, we were excited by the thought that we would be able to showcase more [unseen] sides of H1-KEY,” Seoi, the group’s leader, said.

“I think we are back with a song that comforts the listeners thanks to the success of ‘Rose Blossom,’” Riina said.

“We, ourselves, could also feel that the comforting messages we sang truly resonated with the listeners, and we wish to relay our truthful message once again,” she added. “While ‘Rose Blossom’ conveyed the message of tenaciously overcoming life’s hardships, ‘Seoul’ is more about people coming together to make dreams a reality.”

Some members of the group already came a step closer to realizing their own dreams as they dropped the new EP.

Members Riina and Hwiseo recently completed their own separate journeys in “Queendom Puzzle,” cable network Mnet’s girl group competition show, with Hwiseo landing at the top to make the seven-member project girl group EL7Z U+P.

“I’ve learned a lot from ‘Queendom,’” Riina said. “There were a lot of experienced artists, and I was able to really learn how to focus on the small details that I hadn't been able to catch. […] I really could see how serious they are about the performances they do.”

For Hwiseo though, all her strong points from “Queendom” were based on her experience in H1-KEY.

“'Queendom' was all about preparing performances fast, with people with significantly different styles,” Hwiseo explained. “And I think the four members of H1-KEY all have distinct colors, which I’ve already experienced with my members. So it’s more like I was able to apply what I’ve learned from H1-KEY to ‘Queendom.’”

“We have a lot of goals set up: winning first place in weekly music shows, holding a fan meeting based on the success of this album and even hosting a world tour,” Hwiseo said. “But I think the biggest goal we can dream of is to score No. 1 in music shows."

“When I listened to ‘Seoul,’ it made me think that I’ll be able to do anything in this city, like pulling off real magic or having fantastical dreams come true. I hope you guys feel the same,” Riina said.

To find out more about H1-KEY, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY CHO YONG-JUN [cho.yongjun1@joongang.co.kr]