ITZY's Yuna Delivers Bright Energy With Solo Debut 'Ice Cream' After Seven Years

ITZY’s maknae Yuna has stepped up as a solo artist for the first time in seven years, debuting with the solo album Ice Cream. At a press conference for the album held on March 23 at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpol in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, Yuna shared both excitement and nerves about starting a new chapter. As this marks her first step as a solo artist, the moment carried extra tremor, but she said she completed preparations with the support of her members. The seven-year gap feels like a burden, yet her aim is to fill the stage with her own color. The title track 'Ice Cream' is a bubbly pop song with a lively sound and addictive energy, carrying a positive message to enjoy the moment that sweetly melts away. Yuna said she wants to show bright and natural energy through this album. The album comprises four tracks: in addition to the title track, the other tracks are 'B-Boy', 'Blue Maze', and 'Hyper Dream'. In particular, the 'Ice Cream' music video is described as bright in visuals, with Yuna wearing a blonde wig to evoke ice-cream imagery and emphasize a fresh mood. Yuna described the solo album as 'music that lifts your mood like a high-sugar ice cream rather than a low-sugar one,' and she said she hopes it evokes the excitement and happiness of childhood memories of bead ice cream eaten at an amusement park.

During the preparations for the solo debut, the support from the other members was a major source of strength. Yeji’s advice as a senior and fellow member was especially helpful, and she said she played the first version of the title track for the other members before anyone else. At the music-video set, the members even sent snack cars, and both ‘bungeoppang’ (fish-shaped pastries) and fish cake provided big encouragement. Yeji said she became a clear role model for Yuna in supporting her solo debut, and Yuna said she learned a lot from Yeji’s solo debut as well. PD Park Jin-young also offered support, saying, 'We’re looking forward to Yuna. Don’t get hurt and finish it healthily.'

The musical focus is clear. Yuna explained that solo activities require filling the stage as if five members were on it, so she paid careful attention to stage production. She also expressed gratitude for being seen as a visual icon of idols and said she hopes to deliver ice-cream-like joy to fans. She added that the resurgence of 'That’s a No No' has heighted expectations as it aligns with her solo debut. Balancing group and solo activities, she hopes that 'Ice Cream' will become an album that makes the public smile in her future activities.

Meanwhile the album release occurred at 6 p.m., and Yuna hopes to carry forward the vibe of 'That’s a No No' into her solo career. She wishes this solo album to remain music that always brings a smile to fans, and hopes it brightens moods even on days when the weather isn’t great or when you haven’t slept well, simply by thinking of Ice Cream. Yuna pledged to expand her own musical realm through future solo activities, inspired by Yeji’s successful solo stage, and she expressed a determination to challenge a broader musical world. In sum, 'Ice Cream' is a bright, energetic release that reveals a new side of Yuna and is expected to establish her presence as a solo artist beyond ITZY’s maknae.