"This time I gave 200%. I believe opportunities come to those who are prepared."
Now in her 10th year since her debut, change was necessary. Dayoung wanted to break free from the fixed mold of being an idol. For the past three years, she has worked tirelessly to discover her own color—not as WJSN’s Dayoung, but as an artist in her own right.
It all began with a self-made PPT proposal. From concept and performance to musical direction, she carefully organized every detail to persuade her agency. That determination ultimately led to the release of her first solo track, “Body,” in September of last year.
Now, Dayoung is transforming once again. Building on the experience from her first solo activities, she aims to prove a stronger, more defined identity. Her goal is to present “Dayoung” itself as a genre.
Dispatch met Dayoung on April 2 at Starship Entertainment’s headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul, where she opened up about the journey behind finding her “true self.”
◆ 200% Effort
Dayoung has returned with her second single, “What’s a girl to do,” marking her first comeback in eight months since her debut solo album “Gonna Love Me Right?” released in September last year.
As it is her first comeback, she admitted to feeling nervous. “During group promotions, the burden is shared among members, but as a solo artist, it feels like I have to carry 100% of it on my own,” she said.
However, that sense of responsibility soon became motivation. “If I prepared ‘Body’ at 100, this time I prepared at 200,” she emphasized. “I worked harder than ever before.”
“When I was preparing my first album, I felt like I gave it everything and couldn’t do more. But while working on this project, I realized I could surpass that limit. It feels like I’ve broken through my own wall and grown.”
She also had strong support. Group leader Exy joined her for her Los Angeles music video shoot, helping with everything from choreography monitoring to lyric work.
Dayoung added, “Bona is even taking separate lessons just to film the new song challenge video. All the members are giving me courage, so I don’t feel anxious.”
◆ Proving Herself as a Solo Artist
Her first solo was, quite literally, a challenge. Through “Body,” she chose a completely different direction from her previous dreamy and cute image. “It felt like I was betting on a sliver of hope,” she recalled.
Letting go of familiarity and choosing an unfamiliar genre stemmed from her thirst for musical growth. Over the past three years, she studied music extensively, expanding her vocal range while refining her performance and visual expression.
The results spoke for themselves. Ten years after her debut, she claimed her first music show win as a solo artist. Still, she refused to settle and instead used it as a stepping stone toward bigger stages.
“When I won first place, I was happy, but honestly, I felt relief first. I thought, ‘Now I can release my next album.’”
She immediately began working on new music. “Even though my first solo track received a good response, I didn’t stick to a similar style,” she said. “I believe sequels can’t beat the original. I wanted to present a completely different genre with a great song.”
◆ Dayoung’s Attention to Detail
Her new track “What’s a girl to do” is a pop song defined by a danceable beat and an addictive hook. Her refreshing vocals ride over a lively melody.
Dayoung delivers relatable yet sincere thoughts about love in a lighthearted way. Her musical direction—honestly expressing her true self—naturally comes through.
She also paid close attention to storytelling. The music video is set in Los Angeles and follows a one-take format that closely tracks her movements, creating an immersive, performance-like experience.
“I intentionally minimized post-production elements like 3D graphics and CGI,” she explained. “I wanted to capture the raw atmosphere of the streets of LA and a loft party.”
She further proved her abilities as a producer, earning production credits on every track of the album. The message of the new song—“She makes the first move”—was also shaped through her active involvement.
◆ The Beginning of 10 Years
By carving her own path, Dayoung has established her identity. She set aside familiar labels such as “Jeju girl,” “Chocome,” and “variety star,” and instead brought the most honest version of herself to the stage.
“Many people tell me they gain courage from seeing my challenges. I also feel like I’m clearing quests step by step. My ultimate goal is to become an artist who gives others a sense of certainty.”
Dayoung is set to perform at Waterbomb in July. “I want people to go home thinking, ‘I really had an amazing time today.’ I want to create the best day possible,” she said with a bright smile.
Ten years into her career, Dayoung’s journey is only just beginning. “These 10 years weren’t built by me alone. It’s thanks to those who believed in me and waited for me. I will continue to repay that expectation with great performances.”
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