있지 유나, 7년 만에 솔로 데뷔
첫 앨범 '아이스크림' 23일 발매
밝은 에너지 담은 타이틀곡
첫 앨범 '아이스크림' 23일 발매
밝은 에너지 담은 타이틀곡
ITZY's youngest member, Yuna, is making her solo debut with a vibrant energy-filled album.
On the 23rd, Yuna held a press conference at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul East Pole in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to commemorate the release of her solo debut album 'Ice Cream'.
Yuna is stepping out as a solo artist for the first time, apart from her group ITZY. She expressed, "It's my first time greeting everyone without my fellow members. I'm as excited and nervous as I was when debuting with ITZY. It's been seven years, and releasing my first solo album brings a lot of pressure, but I also have a strong desire to do well."
The title track 'Ice Cream' is a bubbly and addictive bubblegum pop song. It conveys a positive message of enjoying the sweet, melting moments like ice cream. Yuna shared, "Since it's my first solo album, I put a lot of effort into filling it with my unique color. The album captures my strength of bright and natural energy."
Yuna's Solo Debut Backed by Members and JYP's Support
Yuna prepared for her solo debut with the support of her fellow members. She said, "Thanks to Yeji's impressive solo activities, I was positively influenced and prepared diligently. When the title track was first released, I played it for my members. They all said it suited me well and could imagine me performing it on stage." She added, "The members sent a snack truck to the music video set. It was winter, and they sent fish-shaped bread and fish cakes. They were delicious. I ate five fish-shaped breads that day."
Yeji, who debuted as a solo artist before Yuna, took special care of her. Yuna mentioned, "In group activities, we move as one, relying heavily on each other. For solo activities, I had to fill the stage alone, which was challenging. I missed my members a lot, but it was a great opportunity for growth." She added, "Yeji came to the music video set. I cried as soon as I saw her because I missed her so much, and her support was a great strength."
JYP's Park Jin-young also supported Yuna's solo debut. She recalled, "When I started preparing for the solo album, I met PD Park Jin-young during a shoot. He said, 'Yuna, I'm really looking forward to it. I hope you finish it healthily without getting hurt.' His affectionate words were touching and gave me great strength."
Addressing the 'JangKaSeolYoo' Phenomenon
Yuna is recognized as one of the top visuals in K-pop, known as 'JangKaSeolYoo' (IVE's Jang Wonyoung, aespa's Karina, NMIXX's Sullyoon, and ITZY's Yuna). Regarding this, Yuna said, "I'm really grateful to be called a K-pop visual icon."
She shared her efforts to maintain her appearance, saying, "I love eating and find happiness in it. Last night, I really wanted potato chips. I had already brushed my teeth and was about to sleep, but the thought of 'potato chips' lingered. I debated for about 30 minutes and decided that not eating them would make me prettier tomorrow."
With her solo album, Yuna aims to showcase her outstanding visuals and talent. She expressed, "I hope the public sees me as a capable solo artist based on this performance. I want to show them."
What is Yuna's 'Ice Cream'?
The new album includes four tracks: the title track 'Ice Cream', 'B-Boy' with a free-spirited mood, 'Blue Maze' depicting soft and dreamy moments of love, and 'Hyper Dream' with dramatic and lavish sound layering inviting listeners to 'jump into the world of dreams'.
What flavor is Yuna's 'Ice Cream'? Yuna described it as "not low-sugar but high-sugar ice cream," comparing it to "bead ice cream from an amusement park." She explained, "When I was young, eating bead ice cream at an amusement park made me feel like I owned the world. 'Ice Cream' matches well with that excitement and happy memory."
As ITZY's song 'That's a No No' gains popularity again, Yuna continues the momentum with her solo debut. She confidently stated, "Right before my solo activities, there's a boom, and it's being loved. I hope my solo track 'Ice Cream' is loved alongside 'That's a No No'. I'm confident I can continue the positive vibe with my solo activities."
Yuna's solo mini-album 'Ice Cream' will be released at 6 PM today.
Reporter Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia one@tenasia.co.kr