Singer Choi Yena has returned beyond the unique "Yena genre" to "Yena core." The solo artist's continuous growth is highlighted in "Blooming Wing."
On the 29th, Choi Yena held a showcase for the release of her fourth mini-album "Blooming Wings" at the Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Choi Yena, who has distinctly revealed her unique color while showcasing her lovely and bouncy charm through the title track of her third single "Nemo Nemo" last September, has returned to her main career after about 10 months. During that time, she showcased her potential as an actress by challenging her first serious role in the KBS2 drama "Villains Everywhere."
Returning after 10 months, Choi Yena said, "I was very nervous about meeting fans with new songs during the concert tour. I was excited while focusing on the album work. Since this album took 10 months, I put in a lot of effort. I wanted to show my most Yena-like self, so I prepared for it."
Choi Yena's fourth mini-album "Blooming Wings" is filled with narratives of love and growth presented in her most Yena-like manner. The album reinterprets all the processes of love, including the pure emotions of first love blooming like angel wings and the moment of experiencing the first breakup in a rainy alley, through Choi Yena's sensitivity.
Choi Yena has returned with the unique genre "Yena core." He explained, "It was the same during the 'Nemo Nemo' activities, and since my debut, I've often heard praises that it is 'very Yena' and 'only Yena can do it.' That's why the term 'Yena core' was born, and the company liked it, so they created the account. It's a happy thing to perform on stage, and my pursuit is to be happy and enjoy the stage in the future as well."
Regarding "Yena core," he stated, "Yena core is an area that only Yena can digest without any additional explanation. I really like that it has a distinct character."
The title track "I Hate Being Called Nice" is a song where colorful strings and instruments unfold like summer fireworks. It has an endlessly bright yet somewhat nostalgic atmosphere, and Choi Yena expressed the gradually rising emotional lines with her unique vocals.
The stage arrangement is unique. Choi Yena, who unfolded a stage like watching a musical, introduced it by saying, "From the first line, the song contains a pure heart that wants to be a nice and good person to the loved one and a growth story of pain after a breakup." She continued, "The hook part is impressive, and I even requested a vocal challenge before the release. I think it's a song you can listen to comfortably and pleasantly anytime, whether during commuting or after work."
Choi Yena added, "When I thought about it from a stage perspective, it felt like watching a musical and I wanted it to have the vibe of an animation scene. We held many discussions to give viewers a new feeling and a sense of 'there's a lot to see.' I hope many people watch the stage and provide various feedback."
Notably, actor Lee Dohyun appeared in the music video. Lee Dohyun, who is from the same agency as Choi Yena, added significance to his first step after military service by deciding to appear in Choi Yena's music video. The music video, reminiscent of a high teen cartoon, is expected to provide another fun experience by showcasing Choi Yena's bright charm and Lee Dohyun's emotional acting.
Choi Yena explained about Lee Dohyun's participation in the music video, saying, "Since we are from the same agency, I wanted to ask for his opinion. At that time, he was serving in the military, and he agreed. I was really grateful for his participation in the music video as his first schedule shortly after his discharge." She continued, "In my music video, since I appear, I know what it's like, but having Lee Dohyun there made it feel like a movie. I truly felt the difference. During the filming, I felt moved and grateful."
The essence of Choi Yena's unique bright and confident image, "Yena core," shines in "Blooming Wing," which starts with the first track "Drama Queen," followed by the title track "I Hate Being Called Nice," "Hello (Hello, Goodbye)," "As Long as You're Not the One (Feat. Miryo of Brown Eyed Girls)," and "364."
Choi Yena, who also participated in the lyrics for "Hello," said, "The producer who is responsible for me suggested working together from before the album creation, so I joined. We shared many opinions and tried to express what I imagined and thought." She added, "The theme of love is difficult, and I thought about how to touch it; I believe what's important is honesty and sincerity. I tried to capture my direct thoughts and feelings or expressions I felt indirectly."
Choi Yena explained about "As Long as You're Not the One," which features Miryo, saying, "Since I used to go to karaoke with my family twice a week since I was young, I remember singing songs by Brown Eyed Girls. I received early K-pop education, and as soon as I heard this song, I thought it would be great if Miryo senior could participate. However, there seemed to be no opportunity with her, so I reached out to Jaejae." Jaejae added, "He asked how it would be best to proceed, so I responded. I sent a DM to Miryo to contact her and thought it was great to be a connecting bridge when I saw the final product."
It's been three years since Choi Yena made her solo debut. He said, "I see it as a stage I can be satisfied with when I spread my wings. When I think back, there's a moment when I performed a dance break while transforming at an award ceremony. After doing it, I didn't expect this much interest, but I was so happy because the reaction was bigger than I thought. I think it was a stage where Yena could show a performance she wanted, and I realized that as long as I put my heart into the stage, people would recognize it."
Although Choi Yena has established herself as a solo artist with hit songs, she cannot avoid concerns about performance. Choi Yena noted, "From the time of my debut, I never expected to debut as a solo singer, everything was unfamiliar and difficult, so I had no time or room to anticipate performance. Maybe that's why I'm incredibly grateful for receiving good results and attention. I'm truly grateful for the parts where I have continuously worked, found my color, and shown fresh things. Because I genuinely feel good now, I hope my activities will last longer than just the performance."
Choi Yena expressed her hopes, saying, "Since it's an album I'm releasing after 10 months, I hope you all listen to it a lot and share good stories about it. I am gratefully busy this year, and since I prepared this album earnestly in my spare time, I will show good aspects so that everyone who waited for my album can say, 'Now I understand why it took 10 months.' I will flap Yena's wings and do well in this activity."
Meanwhile, Choi Yena's fourth mini-album "Blooming Wings" will be released at 6 p.m. on the 29th through various music sites.
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