The group ITZY member Yeji is finally making her solo debut. After 7 years with ITZY, she is reaching out to the public in a new color as a solo artist.
On the 10th at 2 p.m., Yeji held a press conference to celebrate the release of her first solo mini album "AIR" in the Grand Ballroom at Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residence, and she took her first step as a solo artist. Being the first solo member of ITZY, she expressed both pressure and excitement.
Yeji's first solo album "AIR" will be released at 6 p.m. that day, filled with her music, performance, and a passionate spirit toward the stage.
Yeji first introduced herself by saying, "I am ITZY's Yeji, making my solo debut," and noted, "I am so nervous. I have been so busy that I didn't even feel like I was debuting solo, but standing here now makes me realize it. I want to do well."
She added, "When I heard the news about doing a solo, which I had only imagined from a distance, I felt joy mixed with the thought, 'Has the time come already?' There was a lot of pressure as the first member from the team. Considering I am the eldest sister and the leader, they probably trusted me to be the first solo artist."
As the first solo member of the team, the support from her fellow members was a significant strength for Yeji. Yeji expressed her gratitude, saying, "The ITZY members cheered for me, saying, 'I'm so happy you're going first as the eldest sister.' It warmed my heart and gave me great strength." She also mentioned, "The members continuously came to the site. I received a coffee truck for the first time. Their support motivated me, and I felt a sense of pride in thinking, 'I have my members behind me.'"
Park Jin-young, head of JYP and a leading producer, supported Yeji's first solo album while also instilling confidence through praise. Yeji stated, "He paid close attention to the directing. I practiced with a lot of pressure, but Producer Park Jin-young said, 'It's more important to let people know who you are than to focus on the results. Just by recognizing Yeji's potential, it's probably enough.'" Thanks to Park Jin-young's advice, Yeji was able to relieve some of her pressure. He also praised Yeji's music video and offered support.
The title track of Yeji's first solo album, the eponymous "Air," is a synth-pop song featuring a powerful bass sound and addictive hooks. Yeji participated in the lyrics, adding authenticity, and the representative producer of JYP Entertainment, Park Jin-young, also contributed to the credits, enhancing the album's quality. Yeji's unique movements added to a breathtaking performance.
In addition, the album includes a total of four tracks: "Invasion," "Can't Slow Me, No," and "258." The talented authors, including singer IU and the group TWICE, have come together for Yeji's first solo album, raising expectations. Collaborators include Danke, who has worked with renowned K-pop artists, and hit song maker Lee Woo-min, known as collapsedone, along with Noday and Ryan Jeon.
Yeji, who first appeared in the 2018 SBS music competition program "The Fan," made a remarkable impression among strong artists even before her debut. She officially debuted in February 2019 as part of ITZY, earning recognition for her solid skills with impressive performances and calm expressions that completed a stage one can trust.
After approximately six years of activity as the 'K-pop representative performance queen' with ITZY, Yeji drew attention by presenting her first solo song, "Crown On My Head (Yeji)," included in ITZY's album "BORN TO BE," which was released last year. Notably, she showcased her potential as a solo artist with a stage of "Crown On My Head (Yeji)" during ITZY's recently concluded second world tour spanning 32 performances across 28 locations.
Regarding her first solo debut after seven years, Yeji reflected, "In a way, I think this could be a significant turning point. I wanted to discover parts of myself that I didn't know and hoped to leave a mark on many people as Yeji without embarrassment." She added, "I hope that starting my solo career will set the stage for the other members to show new sides of themselves individually."
Though starting solo brings great pressure, Yeji emphasized her desire to focus on showcasing what kind of artist she is. She expressed, "I want to show that 'Yeji is someone who loves the stage.' I hope to stand on a grand stage in a way that satisfies the public afterward."
Yeji stated, "In fact, just debuting counts as achieving my goal. I want to give the impression of being a promising artist as a soloist, and I want to prove that. I feel I must work hard for that." She expressed her desire to earn the title of "Indeed, Yeji."
As Yeji reserves her place as the 'K-pop representative performance queen' as a solo artist, anticipation builds for what kind of music and performances she will build her solo identity with.
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