During their four-year career, K-pop girl group Spica has spent more time off stage than in the spotlight.

Now the group has returned with a new single album, “Secret Time,” unveiled Thursday at noon.

Spica’s first release in more than a year, the album consists of two rhythm-and-blues-inspired tracks, “One Way” and the title song “Secret Time.”

Written by lead vocalist Kim Bo-a, “Secret Time” was produced by Swedish producers Pontus Frisk, Graciela Chin A Loi, and Andreas Oberg.

Although this was his first collaboration with the group, multi-platinum producer Oberg has worked with some of the biggest names in K-pop, including Girls’ Generation, VIXX, f(x) and SHINee.

“The goal of the song ‘Secret Time’ is to re-energize today’s younger generation, who often find themselves tired and exhausted at the end of the day,” said Kim at a press showcase at Yes24 Muv Hall in Seogyo-dong, Seoul on Thursday.

The five-member act debuted in 2012 with the song “Doggedly.” In 2014, it quietly unveiled the digital single “Ghost” without any promotional activities.

Later in the year, the group announced its US debut single “I Did It,” which was released in partnership with music magazine Billboard.

However, its popularity was short-lived.

Despite Spica’s strong vocals, its popularity does not match up to its musical prowess. The group is made up of Kim Bo-a, Park Si-hyun, Yang Ji-won, Park Na-rae and Kim Bo-hyung. 

“When we first started working on this album, everyone seemed jaded and tired because we had spent more time than expected on hiatus,” said Yang.

“Ultimately, what turned out to be important for us was finding the right songs for everyone in the group,” added Kim Bo-a. “Once we did, it was invigorating.”

Over the years, Spica -- named after the brightest star in the constellation Virgo -- has been featured in a slew of articles questioning if the group will ever see its heyday.

“We took a positive spin on these articles, and saw them as the public’s recognition of our potential and continuing interest in us,” said Park.

Leading up to the group’s return to the spotlight, some of the members have pursued individual activities that have helped Spica stay relevant during its break. The youngest member Kim Bo-hyung currently stars in JTBC’s “Girl Spirit,” which features musicians from lesser-known K-pop girl groups.

After kicking off their first comeback performance on Mnet’s K-pop music program “M Countdown” on Thursday, Spica has plans to make more broadcast appearances as a group, said Yang.

“This is very exciting for us,” said Kim Bo-a, “I feel like we’re reliving our debut period all over again.”

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)