Fantasy Meets K-pop: A Cross-Cultural Collaboration
K-pop singer Choi Yena is soaring to new heights—literally and artistically—with her upcoming fourth mini-album, Blooming Wings. Dropping on the 29th, the project features an exclusive collaboration with famed Japanese manga artist Arina Tanemura, the creative force behind the beloved anime Full Moon o Sagashite (known in Korea as Dalbit Cheonsa or ‘Moonlight Angel’).
Visual Poetry Through Anime-Inspired Art
According to her agency, the album’s online cover image has been illustrated by Tanemura herself—known for her signature sparkly aesthetic, angels in frills, and deeply emotional heroines. The cover art captures a girl with angel wings in a pink-cloud sky, praying with the wistful intensity of your favorite anime ending theme. Fluttering feathers and delicate ribbons fill the scene, giving it a magical, nostalgic vibe that fans of early 2000s anime will adore.
Why It Hits the Feels
Arina Tanemura‘s name is synonymous with shojo royalty. She’s the pen behind classic titles like Kamikaze Kaitou Jeanne, The Gentlemen’s Alliance Cross, Ion, and of course, Full Moon o Sagashite—which first aired in Korea in 2004 and became a cross-generational favorite for its emotional storytelling and timeless OST.
“This collaboration was a dream match,” said one fan on social media. “Yena’s youthful charm mixed with Tanemura’s fantasy style is giving peak nostalgia.”
Blooming with Emotion
The album Blooming Wings is described as Choi Yena’s most personal release yet—exploring the bittersweet beauty of first love and heartbreak. Picture: the flutter of innocent feelings taking flight like angel wings, and the ache of a rainy-day goodbye in a quiet alley. These cinematic moments are reimagined through Yena’s signature Gen Z lens.
Tanemura’s illustration adds a layer of emotional intensity that transcends language barriers, making the album cover a perfect entry point for both K-pop and anime fans worldwide.
Yena: More Than Just Music
Recently named the face of a major beverage brand, Choi Yena continues to thrive beyond music, earning her spot as a full-fledged Gen Z icon. From variety shows to dramas, she’s become a multi-talented force who’s blurring the lines between pop idol and pop culture powerhouse.
Blooming Wings is slated for release on June 29 at 6 PM KST. Prepare for lift-off.
