Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Yu Jin Kim
More and more idols are showcasing new sides of themselves through solo albums while continuing their group activities. Beyond just releasing albums, they are heightening anticipation for their solo ventures by sharing behind-the-scenes content, documentaries, and more. Here, we rounded up five idols who have recently unveiled their first solo albums.
Yeonjun- GGUM
TXT’s Yeonjun, known as “BigHit’s legendary trainee” for consistently excelling in monthly evaluations, released his first solo album GGUM on September 19th. He showcased his stage presence and versatility—strong vocals, rap, and dance—through playful lyrics like “I make it chewy like gum chomp, chomp,” a metaphor for his confidence. Having contributed to songwriting and composing since The Dream Chapter: ETERNITY in 2020, Yeonjun was heavily involved in the album’s creation, from planning the concept to writing lyrics and choreographing. GGUM blends hip-hop and EDM, creating an addictive sound, while the bold use of autotune in the chorus adds to its appeal. The album cover features Yeonjun blowing bubblegum and typography that captures the texture of gum, visually presenting a hip and trendy vibe.
JINHO – Teddy Bear
PENTAGON’s Jinho released his first mini-album, CHO:RD, on September 19th, for which he participated in writing and composing all the tracks. The title track, “Teddy Bear,” is a dreamy R&B song expressing the desire to get to know someone better, wishing to become the teddy bear in their room. The lyrics reveal that the song is inspired by the fairy tale Cinderella, telling the story of a man who wishes to stay with his girlfriend, who has to go home by midnight. In an interview, Jinho shared, “I love reading novels,” and added, “I wanted each song to feel like a short story with a touch of fantasy, so I created an album that feels like a collection of short stories.” This album reflects Jinho’s genuine passion for music, as he continues to thrive not only as a vocal trainer before his debut but also as a member of the crossover vocal group Crezl and as a musical actor.
TZUYU – Run Away
“Run Away” is the title track of TWICE’s Tzuyu’s first mini-album, abouTZU, released on September 6th. Following Nayeon and Jihyo, Tzuyu is the third member of TWICE to release a solo album. As the youngest member of the group, the public might expect a bright and cute image, but Tzuyu wanted to showcase a more mature and sexy vibe. “Run Away” is a modern reinterpretation of synth-pop and dance genres. The intro starts with a minimalistic piano melody, soon followed by a powerful synth bass, creating an overall atmosphere that feels both exciting and subtly sentimental. J.Y. Park participated in writing the lyrics, expressing the feeling of pouring out all of one’s love in a way no one has seen before once the heart begins to open after a long wait. The music video features over 50 dancers, delivering a powerful energy.
Jaehyun – Smoke
NCT’s Jaehyun released his first solo album, J, on August 26th. He applied his habit of writing the initial “J” on his personal items directly to the album’s title and participated not only in songwriting and composing but also in shaping the overall direction of the project. According to Jaehyun, the eight tracks on the album capture a range of moods and are “perfect for listening to from late afternoon, as the sun begins to set, until early dawn, just before sunrise.” Instead of exploring new challenges, Jaehyun focused on R&B, a genre that suits him best. The title track “Smoke” is a hip-hop R&B song characterized by a rhythmic bass line, groovy vocals, and rich guitar riffs. The chorus features a minimalistic and addictive drop instead of high notes, and the outro includes a brass band, adding a twist. The lyrics poetically compare a romantic moment shared with a loved one in a car to smoke rising from a boombox, adding a vivid and memorable imagery to the song.
Yoon San Ha – Dive
ASTRO’s Yoon Sanha released his first mini-album, DUSK, on August 6th. The title track, “Dive,” is an alternative R&B pop song characterized by its heavy bass sound. The lyrics metaphorically compare a fleeting yet intense moment of happiness to a beautiful sunset, expressing the idea that even when darkness falls and feelings of sadness and longing arise, one should not turn away from the night. Additionally, this album reflects his aspirations to transition from being a member of ASTRO to achieving true growth as an artist. Recently, Yoon Sanha showcased his acting skills in the drama Romance in the House while also demonstrating his talents as a singer through fan concerts in Japan and Korea.
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
