Yena’s Back — And She’s Bringing the Feels
K-pop’s beloved chameleon Yena (Choi Yena) is making a vibrant return with her fourth mini album ‘Blooming Wings’, and the emotional depth might just hit you in your high school heart.
On June 23, Yena dropped a highlight medley on her official social media channels, giving fans a sneak peek into the album’s dreamy aesthetic and diverse musical palette. From innocent school-girl visuals straight out of a vintage romance manga to a chic, confident angel radiating charm, Yena flexes her styling versatility — and it’s a total visual buffet.
‘Blooming Wings’: A Love Story in Five Tracks
The medley preview also unveils snippets of all five tracks, starting with the playful opener ‘Drama Queen’, followed by the title track ‘I Hate Being Called Nice’, the bittersweet ‘Hello, Goodbye’, the edgy duet ‘Not You (Feat. Miryo of Brown Eyed Girls)’, and the sentimental closing track ‘364’. Each song taps into the kind of emotional storytelling that’s fast becoming Yena’s signature — affectionately dubbed the “Yena-core” vibe by fans.
The Anthem of Anti-Sweetness
The title track ‘I Hate Being Called Nice’ is where bright pop melodies collide with theatrical strings and fiery instrumentation. It’s equal parts summer fireworks and quiet melancholy, and Yena’s expressive vocals bring it all to life. It’s about challenging the idea that being ‘nice’ is all a girl needs to be — and Yena’s here to flip that trope.
A Soundtrack to First Love (and Its Aftermath)
‘Blooming Wings’ tells a full-circle story of love and growth, as framed through Yena’s own lens. Think: the thrill of an angelic first love, the heartbreak under rainy alleyway lights, and all the messy beauty in between. Like flower petals on windblown wings, the album covers the emotional flutter and fall of young romance.
In true Yena fashion, her cheerful boldness — the very energy that made her a recent face of a major ad campaign — shines bright in this project too.
When to Tune In
Mark your calendars: ‘Blooming Wings’ drops June 29 at 6PM KST on all major streaming platforms. Get ready for angel vibes, heartbreak bops, and the kind of voice that makes you text your ex — or at least think about it.
[Photo = Yuehua Entertainment]
