Girl’s Hood is a collaborative project between R&B artists Jiselle and SUMMER CAKE. Jiselle is a K-R&B artist known for her distinctive musical identity. She has collaborated with artists such as CHANGMO, pH-1, BewhY, PENOMECO, BIG Naughty, and Seori. SUMMER CAKE is best known for her appearance on Mnet’s The Voice of Korea 2020, where she finished in the Top 4. Since then, she has released music reflecting her personal emotions and perspective, including tracks like “Love Villain” and “Bake.” Girl’s Hood was created to bring greater recognition and appreciation to female artists in the K-R&B scene.
On September 12, Jiselle and SUMMER CAKE released their new digital single, ‘LET THEM’. Featuring a minimal, groove-driven, Afrobeat-inspired sound, the track exudes confidence in the face of countless gazes, standards, and envious judgments. The duo showcases Girl’s Hood’s strength, resilience, and ability to walk away from others’ harsh opinions and thoughts as they step into their confidence.
Jiselle and SUMMER CAKE open up to The K-Nostalgia about their inspiration, creative process, and self-confidence in this exclusive interview.
” Because the core message of the song is that being true to who you are matters more than other people’s opinions.”
– Jiselle
Your new single ‘LET THEM’ features Afrobeat-inspired rhythmic sounds. Was there a specific Afrobeats artist or song that inspired the sound of your second single, “LET THEM”?
Jiselle: Rather than being inspired by one specific artist or song, we wanted to explore the rhythm and groove of Afrobeats, which was something neither of us had tried much before. We felt it was a good way to deliver the strong message of “LET THEM” in a cooler and less heavy way.
KR: 특정 아티스트나 곡을 직접적인 레퍼런스로 삼았다기보다는, 저희 둘 다 많이 해보지 않았던 Afrobeats 의 리듬과 그루브를 새롭게 시도해보고 싶었어요. “LET THEM”의 강한 메시지를 너무 무겁지 않게, 조금 더 쿨하게 전달하는 데 잘 어울린다고 생각했습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: For me, it was less about one specific artist and more about the free and rhythmic feeling of Afrobeats itself. It was also exciting because it was a style we hadn’t shown much of before.
KR: 저도 특정 아티스트보다는 Afrobeats 특유의 자유롭고 리드미컬한 느낌 자체가 좋았어요. 저희가 기존에 많이 보여드리지 않았던 스타일이라 더 재미있었습니다.
LET THEM” is all about taking your power back from others. What was a moment when you felt the most confident in yourselves?
Jiselle: I feel most confident when I stop worrying too much about what other people like or dislike and feel sure that I’m moving in my own direction. I think I’m at my best when I’m simply being myself.
KR: 남들이 좋아하는 것과 싫어하는 것에 너무 연연하지 않고 제가 원하는 방향으로 가고 있다는 확신이 들 때 가장 자신감이 생기는 것 같아요. 결국 제가 가장 매력적인 순간은 저답게 있을 때라고 생각합니다.
SUMMERCAKE: I think I gain confidence from the fact that, despite all the ups and downs, I’m still making music. Even when things get difficult, I keep getting back up and moving forward.
KR: 여러 우여곡절을 겪었지만 결국 지금도 계속 음악을 하고 있다는 점에서 자신감을 얻는 것 같아요. 힘든 일이 있어도 다시 일어나서 계속 가는 제 모습이요.
What inspired the name Girl’s Hood?
Jiselle: The idea began with THE SSR’s direction of bringing women artists together to share stories they could relate to through music. That said, we’re not a fixed duo, but rather two solo artists collaborating through this project.
KR: THE SSR 에서 여성 아티스트들이 함께 모여 공감할 수 있는 이야기를 음악으로 풀어보자는 방향을 제안해주면서 시작됐어요. 다만 저희는 하나의 고정된 팀이라기보다 두 솔로 아티스트가 함께하는 콜라보레이션 프로젝트에 가깝습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: We used “Girl’s” because we happen to be women, but I don’t think the stories are only for women. I hope anyone, regardless of gender, can relate to them.
KR: 저희가 여자이기 때문에 Girl’s라는 이름이 붙었지만, 꼭 여성들만의 이야기는 아니라고 생각해요. 성별과 상관없이 많은 분들이 공감할 수 있었으면 좋겠습니다.
Your track ‘LET THEM’ embodies a power and confidence that many people want to obtain, but find difficult achieving. For people who struggle with the weight of other people’s words and judgment, what advice would you give them?
Jiselle: still get affected by what other people say sometimes. But if those words start preventing you from being yourself, I think that’s when you need to let go a little and focus on yourself again.
KR: 저도 여전히 다른 사람의 말에 영향을 받을 때가 있어요. 하지만 그 말 때문에 내가 나답게 행동하지 못하게 된다면, 그때는 조금 내려놓고 내 자신에게 집중하는 것이 필요하다고 생각합니다.
SUMMERCAKE: I hope people ask themselves whether they’re trying too hard to be a good person for someone else, even while hurting themselves. Sometimes, it’s okay to just “let them.”
KR: 누군가에게 너무 좋은 사람이 되려고 애쓰느라 내 마음까지 다치고 있는 건 아닌지 한 번 돌아봤으면 좋겠어요. 그럴 때는 그냥 “LET THEM” 해도 괜찮아요.
If you could describe “LET THEM” in one word, what would it be, and why?
Jiselle: Myself. Because the core message of the song is that being true to who you are matters more than other people’s opinions.
KR: 나답게. 결국 이 곡이 말하고 싶은 건 다른 사람의 시선보다 내가 본연의 나로 존재하는 것이 중요하다는 이야기이기 때문이에요.
SUMMERCAKE: Whatever. I think that “let them be, whatever” attitude describes the song best.
KR: 냅둬. “그러거나 말거나, 그냥 냅두자”라는 태도가 이 곡을 가장 잘 표현하는 것 같아요.
“LET THEM” speaks about jealousy and the way people can project their feelings onto others. Why do you think people sometimes project jealousy or negativity onto those around them?
Jiselle: I think everyone has their own insecurities, and sometimes those feelings get projected onto other people. That’s why I try to remember that someone’s negative words don’t always define who I am.
KR: 사람마다 각자의 불안이나 결핍이 있고, 때로는 그것을 다른 사람에게 투영하기도 한다고 생각해요. 그래서 누군가의 부정적인 말이 항상 나를 정확하게 설명하는 것은 아니라는 걸 기억하려고 합니다.
SUMMERCAKE: Everyone has their own situation and emotions. I used to get hurt by those reactions, but now I try not to take everything as if it were my problem.
KR: 사람마다 자기 상황과 감정이 있으니까요. 예전에는 그런 반응에 많이 상처받았지만, 이제는 모든 걸 제 문제로 받아들이지 않으려고 해요.
How has the mindset behind “LET THEM” influenced Girl’s Hood as artists, and how have you both grown throughout your journey?
Jiselle: Working on this song almost felt like a form of self-affirmation for me. I’ve learned to let go a little more and have more confidence in my own identity as an artist.
KR: 이 곡을 작업하면서 저 자신에게도 일종의 자기암시가 된 것 같아요. 예전보다 조금 더 내려놓는 법을 배우고, 아티스트로서 제 색깔에도 자신감을 갖게 됐습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: I’ve been through a lot of ups and downs as an independent artist, and I think I’ve become better at accepting things and saying, “It is what it is.” In that sense, I feel stronger now.
KR: 독립적으로 활동하면서 많은 우여곡절을 겪었는데, 예전보다 “그럴 수도 있지” 하고 받아들이는 힘이 생긴 것 같아요. 그런 점에서 조금 더 단단해졌다고 느낍니다.
While preparing for your new single, was the theme of finding your sense of self and moving beyond others’ judgment something you both immediately agreed on? If not, what other concepts or ideas were considered for this comeback, and how did you ultimately decide on the final theme?
Jiselle: As friends, whenever one of us was hurt or worried about something, we often told each other, “Just leave them,” or “Let them think what they want.” So the theme of “LET THEM” came very naturally from our real conversations rather than being a concept we had to force.
KR: 저희는 친구로서 평소에도 누군가에게 상처받거나 고민이 있을 때 서로 “그냥 냅둬”, “그러라 그래”라는 말을 자주 했어요. 그래서 “LET THEM”이라는 주제는 억지로 만든 콘셉트라기보다 저희 실제 대화에서 자연스럽게 나온 이야기였습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: The theme, lyrics, and attitude all came from things we had actually experienced, so I think we connected with the idea very quickly.
KR: 주제부터 가사, 에티튜드까지 저희가 실제로 경험했던 내용들이라 서로 빠르게 공감했던 것 같아요.
I often think that people who are judged by others can sometimes stand out because there is something extraordinary about them. What do you each think makes you extraordinary?
Jiselle: I think it’s my vocal tone. I feel that my voice has its strongest color in the middle-to-high range, and that’s one of my biggest strengths as an artist.
KR: 저는 제 음색이라고 생각해요. 특히 미들하이 톤에서 제 목소리만의 색깔이 가장 잘 드러난다고 생각하고, 그게 아티스트로서 저의 큰 장점 중 하나입니다.
SUMMERCAKE:I think it’s the fact that I don’t give up easily. I went through a long trainee period and many ups and downs, but I’m still making music today.
KR: 저는 쉽게 포기하지 않는 점인 것 같아요. 오랜 연습생 생활과 여러 우여곡절을 겪었지만 결국 지금도 계속 음악을 하고 있으니까요.
What was a fun or unexpected moment that happened while filming the “LET THEM” music video?
Jiselle: The music video had a much stronger and freer atmosphere than what we usually show, so the filming itself was a lot of fun. It was also interesting to see new sides of each other on set.
KR: 뮤직비디오 촬영 자체가 저희가 평소에 보여드리던 이미지와는 다른 강하고 자유로운 분위기라 재미있었어요. 서로 새로운 모습을 보는 것도 촬영의 재미 중 하나였던 것 같습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: It was fun to show a stronger attitude and styling than usual. There were also a lot of moments when we looked at each other on set and just laughed.
KR: 평소보다 강한 에티튜드와 스타일링을 많이 보여드려서 재미있었어요. 촬영하면서 서로의 모습을 보고 웃었던 순간들도 많았습니다.
What was the first moment when you two really bonded? Did you click with each other right away?
Jiselle: We first met around seven or eight years ago when we were under the same company. At first, we thought we were very different, so we didn’t become close right away. But once we naturally started talking more, we realized we had a lot in common and were really on the same wavelength.
KR: 처음 만난 건 7~8년 전 같은 회사에 있을 때였어요. 처음에는 서로 너무 다를 거라고 생각해서 크게 친해지지 않았는데, 어느 순간 자연스럽게 이야기를 나누다 보니 생각보다 통하는 점이 많고 주파수가 잘 맞는 친구라는 걸 알게 됐어요.
SUMMERCAKE: We didn’t become close immediately, but we naturally grew closer over time. Now we talk about everything from personal matters to music.
KR: 처음부터 바로 친했다기보다는 시간이 지나면서 자연스럽게 가까워졌어요. 지금은 개인적인 이야기부터 음악 이야기까지 정말 많은 이야기를 나누는 사이입니다.
If you had to choose, would you rather create music that listeners can deeply relate to or music that teaches them something new?
Jiselle: I would choose music that listeners can deeply relate to. Emotional connection has always been the most important part of music for me, and I want to make songs that people can hear, feel, and connect with as if they were their own stories.
KR: 저는 공감할 수 있는 음악을 선택할 것 같아요. 어렸을 때부터 음악을 들을 때 가장 중요하게 생각했던 것도 공감이었고, 저 역시 사람들이 듣고 느끼면서 자신의 이야기처럼 받아들일 수 있는 노래를 하고 싶습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: I would choose connection too. I want to make music that allows people to think about their own experiences and feel something together.
KR: 저도 공감이 더 중요한 것 같아요. 많은 사람들이 자신의 경험을 떠올리고 함께 느낄 수 있는 음악을 만들고 싶습니다.
Was there an artist in the industry who inspired you while growing up or influenced the artists you wanted to become?
Jiselle: Rather than one specific artist, I was influenced by music that I could emotionally connect with while growing up. That made me want to become an artist who can communicate emotion through lyrics and the expression in my voice.
KR: 특정 한 명의 아티스트보다는 어릴 때부터 제가 감정적으로 공감할 수 있는 음악들에 많이 영향을 받았어요. 그래서 저도 가사와 목소리의 표현을 통해 사람들에게 감정을 전달하는 아티스트가 되고 싶었습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: I’m inspired by many artists, but SZA is someone whose music still gives me a lot of motivation and passion.
KR: 지금도 여러 아티스트들에게 영향을 받지만, 특히 SZA의 음악을 들으면서 많이 자극받고 열정을 얻는 편이에요.
In what ways did you want the “LET THEM” music video to embody the themes of walking away from judgment, doubt, and negativity?
Jiselle: Just like the message of the song, we wanted to show a confident and strong attitude rather than being conscious of other people’s opinions. We wanted the cool attitude of the music to come through naturally in the visuals as well.
KR: 곡이 가진 메시지처럼 다른 사람의 시선을 의식하기보다는 자신감 있고 강한 모습을 보여주고 싶었어요. 음악의 쿨한 에티튜드가 비주얼에서도 자연스럽게 느껴지길 바랐습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: We wanted to show the feeling of moving in our own way without worrying about how other people see us. I hoped that sense of freedom and strong energy would come through.
KR: 남들의 시선을 신경 쓰지 않고 그냥 우리 방식대로 움직이는 느낌을 보여주고 싶었어요. 자유롭고 강한 에너지가 잘 전달되었으면 했습니다.
Are there any upcoming projects or future plans that fans can look forward to from Girl’s Hood?
Jiselle: Right now, I’m preparing another track that will show a different side of Jiselle after “LET THEM.” If the right opportunity comes up, I’d love to collaborate with SUMMER CAKE again, but for now, I hope everyone enjoys “LET THEM.”
KR: 지금은 “LET THEM” 이후 지셀의 또 다른 모습을 보여드릴 수 있는 새로운 트랙을 준비하고 있어요. 썸머케익과도 좋은 기회가 생긴다면 다시 함께할 수 있겠지만, 우선은 “LET THEM”을 많이 즐겨주셨으면 좋겠습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: I think our next releases will probably be solo tracks that show more of our individual styles. But if people continue to support this collaboration, I’d definitely love to work together again.
KR: 다음에는 서로의 개성이 더 잘 드러나는 솔로곡을 먼저 보여드리게 될 것 같아요. 많은 분들이 이번 콜라보레이션을 좋아해주신다면 또 함께해보고 싶습니다.
What would you like to say to new fans who are discovering Girl’s Hood and your individuality
Jiselle: Thank you for discovering our music. I hope you enjoy “LET THEM,” and I also hope you’ll look forward to the new music and different sides we each have to show in the future.
KR: 이렇게 저희 음악을 처음 만나주셔서 감사합니다. “LET THEM”뿐만 아니라 앞으로 각자 보여드릴 새로운 음악과 다른 모습들도 많이 기대해주셨으면 좋겠습니다.
SUMMERCAKE: Thank you so much for discovering our music. We’ll keep showing you more of our individual music and new sides of ourselves, so please stay with us—and I really hope we can meet in person someday!
KR: 저희 음악을 발견해주셔서 정말 감사해요. 앞으로도 각자의 음악과 또 새로운 모습 많이 보여드릴 테니 계속 관심 가져주시고, 언젠가 꼭 직접 만났으면 좋겠습니다!
“LET THEM” is out now, Stream Jiselle and SUMMER CAKE’s recent collaboration “LET THEM” across platforms.
Stay updated with Jiselle via social media:
Instagram: @jjissselle | Youtube: @jjissselle
Stay updated with SUMMERCAKE via social media:
Instagram: @summercake____ | TikTok: @summercake___
Stay updated with SSR via social media:
Instagram: @stonesoundrecordsofficial | YouTube & TikTok: @stonesoundrecords | X: @stonesound26578
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