Itzy’s Yuna Launches Solo Career with Debut EP “Ice Cream,” Reflecting on Growth and Challenges After Seven Years
Yuna from the popular K-pop group Itzy has officially embarked on her solo journey with the release of her first EP, “Ice Cream,” on Monday. This makes her the second member of Itzy to debut as a solo artist, following Yeji.
The youngest member of Itzy shared that this solo endeavor evoked memories of her debut with the group seven years ago, highlighting a mixture of excitement and the weight of expectations.
“Releasing my first solo album after seven years brings a lot of pressure, but at the same time, I’m incredibly motivated to do well,” Yuna expressed during a press conference in Seoul. “I viewed this as an opportunity to showcase a more diverse spectrum of my abilities and charms, which is why I eagerly accepted this challenge.”
She candidly admitted that the prospect of performing solo initially felt intimidating.
“When you’re part of a group, the five members move together and depend on each other for support. This time, I felt like I had to embody all five roles myself, which required a significant increase in preparation,” she explained. “I deeply missed the other members, but I also recognize that this experience has been an invaluable opportunity for personal and artistic growth.”
Her debut EP features a collection of four captivating tracks: the title track, “B-Boy,” “Blue Maze,” and “Hyper Dream.”
“Ice Cream” is a vibrant bubblegum pop anthem, characterized by its cheerful and infectious melody. The song conveys a lighthearted message about embracing the present moment, much like the fleeting sweetness of melting ice cream.
Yuna revealed that she felt an immediate connection to the song upon hearing it for the first time.
“As soon as I listened to ‘Ice Cream’ and read through the lyrics, I could vividly envision myself performing it on stage,” she stated. “I instantly knew that this song had to be the title track.”
She further emphasized that the song allowed her to fully express her individuality as a solo artist.
“I was immediately drawn to ‘Ice Cream.’ I could picture the performance, the visuals, and the overall concept all at once,” she said. “I wanted to infuse this song with my own unique color and showcase my distinctive charm.”
Reflecting on the creative process, Yuna shared that preparing for her solo debut pushed her to evolve both technically and emotionally.
“I realized it’s not easy to fill an entire song with just your own voice,” she said. “I practiced extensively and spent a lot of time contemplating how to make the song more dynamic. This process significantly contributed to my growth as an artist.”
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