New Chapter Begins Without Yoon Jiyoon
It’s a bittersweet fresh start for izna. The rookie girl group, formed through Mnet’s survival show I-LAND2, originally debuted as seven. But just three months after their debut, main vocalist Yoon Jiyoon took a health-related hiatus and has since officially parted ways with the team.
During their comeback showcase in Seoul on the 30th, member Yoo Saran expressed warm words for Jiyoon: “We support each other. We poured love into every track, and we hope fans will feel that in our performances.”
2nd Mini Album: ‘Not Just Pretty’
Their new release, Not Just Pretty, is a five-track mini album that taps into bold self-expression. The title track ‘Mamma Mia’ comes with a minimalistic beat, catchy hook, and an unapologetic message: “I’ll be who I am.” It’s a sonic declaration of confidence that refuses to bend to outside judgment.
Once again, hit producer TEDDY is behind the wheel, fueling izna’s sound with his signature flair. TEDDY’s buzz is currently strong worldwide, thanks to his work on Netflix’s upcoming animated film KPOP Girls: Demon Hunters and the co-ed group ALLDAY PROJECT.
“We’ve always admired TEDDY’s music,” said Bang Jimin. “Getting to work on one of his tracks felt like a chance to grow into even better artists. We want to be proud of what we’re becoming.”
Rebuilding the Group’s Identity
With their main vocalist gone, izna didn’t just fill the gap—they redefined it. This time, they prioritized performance and charisma over cuteness. Choi Jungeun shared, “When we heard it was a song that required confidence more than being ‘cute,’ we knew we had to level up.”
Yoo Saran added, “We wanted to show new colors we hadn’t explored before. Not just one concept, but a limitless version of ourselves.”
Not Just Pretty is available on major music platforms starting June 30 at 6 PM KST.
