ITZY’s youngest member YUNA shared her emotional first words as she makes her solo debut.
On the afternoon of the 23rd, YUNA held a press conference at Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole in Jayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, to celebrate the release of her first solo album, ‘ICE CREAM,’ and opened up about her solo journey and preparation process.
“Today, I’m greeting you not as ITZY’s youngest, but as a solo artist,” she said. “I’m nervous, but I’m also excited thinking about ‘ICE CREAM’ going public.” She added, “It’s my first solo in seven years since debut, so I felt both pressure and responsibility. I really want to do well. YEJI went first and did so great with her solo, which inspired me a lot while preparing.”
“Group promotions mean the five of us move as one and lean on each other a lot,” she continued. “This time, I spent a lot of time figuring out how to fill the stage on my own―like doing the work of five. I missed my members so much while preparing, but it became a chance for me to grow.”
YUNA joined ITZY at age 15 and has promoted with the group for seven years.
“When I played the title track for the members, they said, ‘We can totally picture YUNA on stage with this,’” she shared. “During the music video shoot, YEJI came by. The moment I saw her, I cried. I missed her so much, and her coming to cheer me on gave me huge strength. The members also sent a snack truck. They sent fish-shaped pastries and fish cakes―they were so good,” she said with a laugh. “It was a cold day, and it really warmed me up. I think I ate five pastries.”
Asked what strength she wants to showcase as a soloist, YUNA picked her “bright, positive energy.”
Regarding her first acting challenge in the recently wrapped tvN drama ‘Undercover Miss Hong,’ which drew positive feedback, YUNA said, “It was an amazing opportunity, and I prepared my best so I wouldn’t be a burden to the project. Thank you for recognizing that.” She added, “Thankfully, ‘THAT’S A NO NO’ climbed back up the charts. It made me hope my solo track will be loved alongside it,” showing confidence.
YUNA drops her title track ‘ICE CREAM’ today and officially kicks off solo promotions.
Photo: Baik Seung-Chul
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)