ITZY's Yeji Makes Solo Debut with Mini Album 'AIR'

Yeji, the leader of the popular K-pop group ITZY, has officially launched her solo career. On March 10, 2025, she held a press conference at the Grand Ballroom of the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul Hotel & Serviced Residences in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of her first mini album, 'AIR'. As the first member of ITZY to embark on a solo journey, Yeji expressed both excitement and pressure about this new chapter.

At the press conference, Yeji introduced herself, saying, "I am Yeji from ITZY, making my solo debut. I am extremely nervous. I’ve been so busy with schedules that I didn’t realize I was debuting solo until I stood here today. I really want to do well." Reflecting on her long-awaited solo debut, she shared, "When I heard the news about my solo activities, I felt joy but also thought, 'Has it really been this long?' Being the first solo artist from the team carries a lot of pressure. As the oldest member and leader, I believe they trusted me to take this step first."

The support from her fellow ITZY members has been a significant source of strength for Yeji. She mentioned, "The other members cheered me on, saying they were happy for me to be the first. It warmed my heart and gave me strength. They even visited the set and sent a coffee truck, which was a first for me. Their encouragement made me feel proud to be part of this group."

JYP Entertainment's founder and chief producer, Park Jin-young, also provided support for Yeji's solo debut, boosting her confidence with praise. Yeji noted, "He paid close attention to the direction of the project. I felt a lot of pressure while practicing, but he told me, 'It’s more important to showcase who you are than to focus on the results. Just showing your potential is enough.' His advice helped ease my burden. He also praised my music video, which was encouraging."

Yeji's mini album 'AIR' features the title track of the same name, a synth-pop song characterized by a strong bass line and catchy hook. Yeji contributed to the lyrics, adding authenticity, while Park Jin-young's involvement as a producer enhanced the album's quality. The album also showcases Yeji's unique movements, delivering breathtaking performances.

In addition to 'Air', the album includes three other tracks: 'Invasion', 'Can't Slow Me, No', and '258'. A talented team of songwriters, including Danke, who has worked with artists like IU and TWICE, and K-pop hitmaker collapsedone, contributed to the album, raising expectations.

Yeji first gained attention in 2018 through the SBS music competition show 'The Fan', where she showcased her talent before officially debuting with ITZY in February 2019. Over the past six years, she has captivated fans worldwide as the 'K-pop Performance Queen' with her dynamic performances and confident stage presence. Last year, she drew attention with her solo track 'Crown On My Head' from ITZY's album 'BORN TO BE'. Her recent performances during ITZY's second world tour, which spanned 32 shows across 28 regions, further demonstrated her potential as a solo artist.

As she embarks on her solo career after seven years, Yeji views this as a significant turning point. She expressed her desire to discover parts of herself she didn’t know and to leave a lasting impression as Yeji. "I hope that my solo debut will pave the way for the other members to showcase their individual sides as well," she stated.

Despite the pressure of starting her solo journey, Yeji is focused on demonstrating her identity as an artist. She emphasized, "I want to show that I am someone who loves the stage. I aspire to perform on grand stages in a way that satisfies the audience."

Yeji concluded by sharing her aspirations, saying, "Just debuting is already a goal achieved for me. I want to be recognized as a promising solo artist and prove my capabilities. I feel a strong determination to work hard and earn the title of 'Yeji, the one and only.'"

Fans are eagerly anticipating how Yeji will establish her solo identity through her music and performances, as she steps out from ITZY as the 'K-pop Performance Queen'.