By Shim Sun-ah
ITZY’s Yuna is making her highly anticipated solo debut with her first EP, “Ice Cream,” released at 6 p.m. today. Yuna, the youngest member of the popular five-member girl group, follows Yeji as the second ITZY member to embark on a solo career.
“After seven years in the industry, I felt both pressure and excitement about debuting as a solo artist,” the 22-year-old singer shared with reporters at a Seoul hotel just hours before her release. “Yeji’s successful solo debut inspired me, and I was motivated to dedicate myself to this project.”
Yuna expressed that the process of creating the EP fostered her creative growth. “I realized the challenge of filling an entire song dynamically with only my voice,” she explained. “Striving to make it more vibrant and expressive became an opportunity for personal development.”
Yuna confessed that the prospect of a solo debut initially brought about fear and uncertainty. “When I learned I would be the second member to go solo, I was scared,” she admitted. “However, through the preparation process, I discovered new facets of myself, which ultimately gave me confidence.”
When asked about these new sides, she described herself as “more passionate and almost perfectionistic” than she had previously believed.
“In group activities, decisions are made collectively, and I typically followed the lead of others,” she said. “While working on this album, I was surprised to find myself being much more passionate and assertive with my ideas.”
The EP’s title track, “Ice Cream,” is an energetic bubblegum pop anthem encouraging listeners to cherish fleeting, sweet moments before they disappear.
The record also features “B-Boy,” embodying a free-spirited vibe; “Blue Maze,” a delicate and dreamy track exploring the depths of love; and “Hyper Dream,” a dramatic song filled with vibrant sounds, inviting listeners into a fantastical realm.
Reflecting on her journey, Yuna acknowledged moments when her pursuit of perfection overshadowed precious experiences. “Around our third year after debut, we shared many treasured memories with the members during album preparations,” she recalled. “But I don’t think I fully enjoyed those moments because I was chasing perfection. If I could relive them, I would simply enjoy them more with everyone.”
Yuna described her new release as “sugar-sweet ice cream,” expressing, “I hope it’s an album that brings a smile to people’s faces whenever they think of it.” Calling it “a perfect album for spring,” she encouraged listeners to add it to their daily playlists, adding, “I hope people will recognize me as a capable artist in my own right.”
