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Between concert halls and classrooms, Léa TCHEOU, a first-year student in the Grande École Program at IÉSEG, leads a busy artistic and academic life. As a member of the K-pop group Starseed’z, she juggles training, tours, and studies while never losing sight of her passion for music. From her early beginnings to gaining international recognition, she takes us behind the scenes of her journey.

How did you start your music career, and why K-pop in particular?

I’ve always loved being on stage—dancing, singing… Throughout my life, I’ve practiced various artistic activities like circus arts, rhythmic gymnastics, and dance. It was during the lockdown that my older sister introduced me to K-pop, and I instantly fell in love with the genre. I started teaching myself the choreography by watching dance videos of K-pop groups like ‘TWICE’.

Over time, I joined groups that performed what we call “K-pop dance covers” and started posting videos on YouTube. Eventually, a producer noticed our group and reached out to us for a long-term project. He wanted to create a group that followed the style and aesthetics of K-pop but with English-language songs.

Do you have any personal connections to Korean culture?

I have Chinese roots, but no Korean background. However, I’ve always been fascinated by Asian culture in general—especially the food, traditions, and customs. I even organized a trip to South Korea with my mother, and I absolutely loved the experience.

What I admire most about K-pop is the level of precision in the choreography and the pursuit of perfection in performances. This is deeply tied to Korean culture, which values excellence in everything. I also enjoy other genres that allow for more spontaneity, like T-pop (Thai pop music), which I discovered after traveling to Thailand with Starseed’z.

How was Starseed’z formed, and what makes it different from other K-pop groups?

Three of us already knew each other from a previous group. When the producer contacted us, he was determined to create a four-member group, so he held auditions in France. That’s how Julie joined the group. Now, our lineup is complete: Kalee (leader and main rapper),Kanya (main dancer), June (lead vocalist), and myself (main vocalist).

We are one of the few groups that perform in English, which sets us apart from traditional K-pop. We are an international group inspired by Korean culture, but with our own unique identity. In France, it’s easier to stand out because there are far fewer groups and less competition in this musical style.

Where does Starseed’z stand today?

Our group officially started in February 2023, and we released our first song, Iconic, filming the music video in Thailand with a fairly big production budget. From there, things escalated quickly. We signed a licensing deal with an independent label, which allowed us to return to Thailand to shoot a second music video.

You’ve already performed in many concerts and have one scheduled in Poland soon…

Our very first concert was at the Japan Expo Orléans. After that, we performed at thre Japan Expo in Marseille and the Japan Expo in Paris, followed by shows in Lyon, Toulouse, and Nantes. Recently, we had our first headline concert at a festival in La Celle-Saint-Cloud. It was an incredible moment—the venue could host 250 people, and it was packed.

One of the most emotional moments for me was when we performed an acoustic version of Slip n’ Slide, and the entire audience turned on their phone flashlights. Seeing that sea of lights moved me to tears. That’s when I thought: We did it. All the hard work and effort were for moments like this!

We’re heading to Poland for a convention from August 27 to 29. At first, we were the ones reaching out to event organizers to introduce our group. But now, they’re the ones contacting us! That’s the case with this convention in Poland. It’s incredible to see that we’re starting to gain attention on the international stage!

And what about your studies? How do you manage to balance everything?

At the beginning of the project, it wasn’t too difficult because everything was still coming together. We had training sessions, but they weren’t as intense as they are now. This year, I can really feel the difference—Starseed’z is gaining momentum, and we have so many projects lined up. It requires much more time and commitment.

The hardest part isn’t necessarily the rehearsals or the music video shoots, but rather the overall pace. I usually start classes at 8 or 9 a.m. at IÉSEG, and as soon as I finish, I head straight to training, which can run late into the evening. Unlike most students who use the weekend to rest, I dedicate mine entirely to Starseed’z!

On top of that, I still need to find time for studying, assignments, and exams. It’s a huge workload, but organization is key. I try to anticipate everything as much as possible so I don’t get overwhelmed. For example, as soon as I have an assignment or an exam, I start preparing early to avoid last-minute stress.

That being said, even though it’s intense, I don’t see it as a burden—because it’s my passion. Yes, it’s hard work, but it’s something I deeply love. Even when I’m exhausted, I always find the motivation to keep going.