Choi Yena Returns with Mini Album ‘Blooming Wings’
On June 29, former IZ*ONE member and Gen Z icon Choi Yena held a media showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul to unveil her fourth mini album ‘Blooming Wings’. The event marked her comeback as a singer following her thriving stint in K-dramas and variety shows.
A Soundtrack to First Love and Loss
‘Blooming Wings’ dives deep into themes of love, heartbreak, and emotional growth. Yena reinterprets personal experiences—like the innocence of a first crush, rainy alleyway goodbyes, and bittersweet memories—through heartfelt lyrics and her own vocal colors.
“It’s my most personal album yet,” Yena shared during the showcase. “I wanted to tell stories not just about love, but about finding yourself while going through it.”
‘I Hate Being Called Nice’—A Firework of Emotions
The title track, ‘I Hate Being Called Nice’, opens with rich orchestration, swelling like fireworks on a summer night. The sound is glittery and grand—but Yena’s emotive delivery adds layers of vulnerability. Bright on the surface, but aching underneath—just like first love.
The track feels like classic Yena: bold, quirky, and defiant of K-pop expectations. “People often label me as sweet or friendly,” she said. “But I wanted to show there’s more to me than just being nice.”
Rising as an All-Around Star
Though she’s nailed performances in both dramas and reality TV, Yena’s recent music release reminds fans that she’s an artist first. And this album? It’s proof she’s growing not just as a performer but as a storyteller too.
‘Blooming Wings’ is available starting June 29 at 6 PM KST across all major music platforms. Fly high, Yena.
