YENA Is Ready to Soar
K-pop soloist YENA (formerly of IZ*ONE) is back and bolder than ever. On May 29 at 6 PM KST, she released her fourth mini album, Blooming Wings, across major music platforms. With this project, the ‘Gen Z icon’ continues to evolve—both musically and emotionally.
What’s the Story Behind ‘Blooming Wings’?
This album captures YENA’s personal take on first love, heartache, and self-growth—all told through her signature colorful lens. Think angel wings, rainy alleyways, and emotional awakenings, K-drama-style. It’s vulnerability dipped in glitter.
Title Track: ‘I Hate The Word Nice’
The lead single, ‘착하다는 말이 제일 싫어’ (translated as ‘I Hate the Word Nice’), is a drama in itself. Orchestral strings explode like summer fireworks, while YENA—credited as a lyricist—lays bare her inner monologue. From innocent love to messy goodbyes, it’s all summed up in one chilling line: “I hate the word nice.”
A Mini Album Full of Feels
‘Blooming Wings’ isn’t just a breakup album. It’s a genre cocktail of ballads and pop anthems, each rooted in raw emotion. Tracklist highlights include:
- ‘Drama Queen’: for your main character moments
- ‘Hello, Goodbye’: bittersweet farewells wrapped in softness
- ‘너만 아니면 돼’ (feat. Miryo of Brown Eyed Girls): edge meets elegance
- ‘364’: a fan-dedicated ballad guaranteed to hit right in the feels
Evolving the ‘YENA-Core’
After kicking off her signature sound with ‘SMARTPHONE’ and continuing it in last year’s ‘Hate XX’, YENA now deepens her concept with more mature storytelling—dubbed by fans as YENA-core.
Beyond the Music: A Gen Z Powerhouse
Outside the stage, YENA’s been making waves—from TV dramas and variety shows to becoming a go-to model for major brands. She’s not just singing the Gen Z anthem—she is the anthem.
Fan Showcase: Up Close and Personal
To celebrate the album release, YENA held a fan showcase at Seoul’s Blue Square on May 29 at 8 PM KST. Expect heartfelt moments, live stages, and probably a tear or two.
With ‘Blooming Wings,’ YENA isn’t just spreading her musical wings—she’s proving there’s so much more to come. Are we witnessing the start of her biggest flight yet?
