ITZY’s charismatic leader YEJI has officially made her highly anticipated solo debut, revealing a side of herself fans have never seen before – and it’s left everyone breathless.
“I want people to think, ‘I didn’t know YEJI could make sounds like this,'” the 25-year-old star shared at her debut showcase for mini-album ‘AIR’ on March 10. With fierce determination in her eyes, she added, “I’m determined to leave a lasting impression as YEJI, the individual artist.”
The first ITZY member to venture into solo territory, YEJI’s mini-album features four tracks including title track “AIR,” “Invasion,” “Can’t Slow Me, No,” and “258.” The title track, a synth-pop masterpiece with addictive hooks and powerful bass, showcases lyrics she personally helped write about that breathtaking moment of total immersion.
“I wanted to express that magnetic pull you feel when you’re completely captivated by something,” YEJI explained, her signature cat-like eyes lighting up. “I thought about what moments make me feel breathless, and wanted to showcase my unique aura.”
Discovering New Vocal Colors Through 10-Hour Sessions
What’s most surprising about YEJI’s solo work? Her completely transformed vocal approach.
“I realized how challenging it is to carry a three-minute song with just one person’s voice,” she revealed, giving fans insight into her dedication. “I spent over 10 hours in recording sessions researching different vocal techniques. When you listen to the songs, you’ll notice completely new vocal colors.”
The ITZY leader didn’t hold back when asked to score her effort level: “I’d give myself 100 out of 100 points.” This intense preparation process helped her rediscover her passion for music after experiencing career burnout.
“Working on this album made me realize how much I truly love being a singer,” she confessed with sincerity that resonated throughout the room.
JYP’s Special Advice and Solo Life
As the first ITZY member to go solo since their 2019 debut, YEJI faced immense pressure to succeed. However, JYP founder Park Jin-young offered perspective-changing advice that helped ease her burden.
“PD-nim told me to focus on showing who I am as a person rather than worrying about results,” YEJI shared. “I want people to recognize that while ITZY’s YEJI is great, solo YEJI has endless potential too.”
With her trademark honesty, YEJI also revealed the surprising perks and challenges of solo promotion: “The best part is getting to go home early!” she laughed. “The downside is sometimes feeling lonely in the huge waiting room. Group activities let us share difficult moments together.”
Even after seven years in the industry, YEJI maintains the same excitement she had as a rookie. “I thought I’d feel more seasoned by the time I made my solo debut, but the butterflies are still there no matter how much experience I gain,” she admitted. “This project has only made me more ambitious about both team and solo activities.”
‘AIR’ is available on all major streaming platforms now.
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