The four girls of Baby DONT Cry first burst onto the scene in the summer heat, swept in on a wave of bright pop-rock — and they made a declaration as fearless as their youth: “School is such a snooze, hitting the books is lame / Besties are always fun, mom’s in a nagging mood.”

From that moment, it was obvious that Baby DONT Cry’s debut track “F Girl” wasn’t aimed at adults. It spoke directly to kids their own age. Leader Yihyeon, born in 2006, followed by Kumi and Mia of 2007, then the youngest Benny, born in 2008 — their world isn’t built on nostalgia. It’s happening now, in real time, in the thick of growing up.

While many rookie girl groups gravitate toward hyperpop or dreamy, synth-washed ease, Baby DONT Cry arrived with something bolder: crystal-clear, straight-shooting K-pop energy. The group is also notable as the first girl group launched by P NATION, home to musicians like Crush and Hwasa. Their five-part documentary series on YouTube opens with none other than PSY telling the girls, “You’re a team now.” Yes — that PSY. The artist who once sent “Gangnam Style” to No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, long before BTS rewrote pop history.

When asked which lyric from “F Girl” resonated with her most, Yihyeon laughed and said, “I’d never once imagined saying ‘What do you want from me?’ in my life — but thinking like that helped way more than I expected.”

With their second single “I DONT CARE,” Baby DONT Cry returned to the stage, relishing every moment of their second round of music-show promotions. Baby DONT Cry doesn’t cry — but they understand something important: Strength has nothing to do with burying your feelings. They are young, and brave enough to feel everything. Meet Billboard’s K-pop Rookie of the Month — Baby DONT Cry.