ITZY member Yuna officially stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist on March 23, releasing her first mini album Ice Cream through major music platforms at 6 p.m. KST after holding a press conference at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpole in Gwangjin District, Seoul.
During the press conference, Yuna admitted she was feeling a mix of nerves and excitement. "I'm as nervous and excited as the moment I debuted with ITZY. I have high expectations," she said.
She added that releasing a solo album after seven years brings real pressure. "Because this is my first solo album in seven years, I feel a lot of pressure, and I really want to do well," she told reporters at the event, as reported by MK.
Yuna also shared that the decision to go solo initially came with fear and self-doubt. "When it was decided that I would debut solo, I felt somewhat scared and anxious. I wondered if I could do it, but during the preparation process, I discovered sides of myself I didn't know and gained courage," she said. The star credited the support of her fellow ITZY members, staff, and fans for helping her push through.
The 22-year-old is now ITZY's second member to debut as a soloist, following group leader Yeji. Yuna acknowledged that Yeji's earlier success gave her a positive boost. "Thanks to Yeji, who did such a great job with her solo activities before me, I was positively inspired and worked hard to prepare," she said.
Ice Cream is a four-track mini-album released under JYP Entertainment. The title track is a bubblegum pop song meant to deliver the message of savoring sweet moments in life.
The remaining B-side tracks are "B-Boy," which captures a free-spirited mood; "Blue Maze," a soft and dreamy take on love; and "Hyper Dream," a dramatic track that invites listeners into a fantasy world, Chosun Biz reported.
Yuna noted that filling songs entirely with her own voice was a challenge she had not faced before.
"While preparing for my solo, I felt it's not easy to fill a song solely with my voice. I researched and thought a lot to fill it colorfully," she said. She described her artistic identity as rooted in bright, natural energy and expressed her hope to be remembered as a capable solo artist with a positive influence, as per Allkpop.
