With nearly a decade of experience in the music industry—spanning her debuts with LOONA, Loossemble, and as a soloist—YEOJIN now officially continues her journey under a new label dedicated to her solo endeavors.
From her solo debut with "Kiss Later" (a pre-debut project for the renowned LOONA) to showcasing her unique charm in Loossemble, YEOJIN is stepping into the spotlight alone. A milestone that embraces the challenge of defining her own artistic identity.
In January 2026, YEOJIN kicked off the year by signing an exclusive contract with MUMW Entertainment, covering a wide range of activities, from music to acting projects, giving fans much to anticipate. In March, YEOJIN released her single album, 'Lv1,' signaling the "next level" of her career and establishing her presence as a global solo artist.
'Lv1' comprises three tracks that radiate warm and vibrant vibes: "BTW," "Sugar Talk," and "My Valentine." Each song features YEOJIN’s sweet, signature vocals unfolding across the songs' arrangements.
Following the release of 'Lv1,' allkpop had the opportunity to sit down with YEOJIN to talk about her solo project, her artistic vision, and her goals moving forward.
Check out our exclusive interview with YEOJIN below!
allkpop: What does it feel like kicking off the year with your first solo single? Are you satisfied with the reactions you’ve been reading and hearing about ‘Lv1’?
YEOJIN: Since this is the first album released after signing with a brand-new company, the atmosphere is quite different. And since it’s an album I put a lot of effort into, I really hoped many people would love it. I think I prepared very hard while being incredibly nervous. There was a lot of involvement between me and our CEO, so I think this album feels quite fresh to me.
allkpop: You’ve been a part of groups since your debut in 2017. How were you feeling the moment you stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist? What feels most different now that you’re navigating solo activities and promotions?
YEOJIN: I’m feeling the pressure of having to do everything alone. When I signed with the company, I was in a group. Because I was in a group, I didn't have to fill the time and the whole show by myself. Compared to being in a group, I now feel the pressure of being able to do more work. Since I'm receiving [the spotlight] alone now, even though it’s overwhelming, I am trying to work even harder.
Also, I actually really love standing on stage. The fact that I am an idol and an artist makes me so happy, and I love it so much. And because I want to keep seeing myself shining on stage, I think that makes me try even harder. That is one of my sources of energy to do more. I also watch and monitor [my performances], so I can manage the pressure.
allkpop: Could you tell us the message you want to convey through 'Lv1' and what the title means to you?
YEOJIN: First, my single album consists of a total of three songs. It's composed of tracks: “BTW,” “My Valentine,” and “Sugar Talk.” For the song “My Valentine,” I wanted to give fans a sweet gift every year on Valentine's Day. Since I couldn’t personally reach out to every fan, I consulted with the CEO to release this song because I wanted to provide that feeling of happiness and appreciation to my fans every year.
For “BTW,” I felt like, “I think I can do this well.” It's the kind of vibe I feel I can pull off. That’s how I described the feeling of the song.
And for the final title track, “Sugar Talk,” I thought a lot about what kind of vibe would work best. The CEO suggested, “How about trying something like this? You've never done this concept before.” He said it would suit me well, so it felt like a bit of a challenge he gave me. It was a type of song I had never attempted before. And the genre of the song recommended by the CEO seems to suit the atmosphere of the track well.
allkpop: Since the album title is ‘Lv1,’ what should we expect from you on the “next level” of your solo journey?
YEOJIN: Yes, the mini-album ‘Lv1’ means “Level 1.” I already have several songs where I participated in the lyrics. So, if I can participate in writing lyrics, I'd like to do it as much as possible. I also ask our CEO for a lot of advice since he is a very famous lyricist. If given the chance, I’d like to challenge myself with songwriting and composing as well.
allkpop: Was it hard cherry-picking the songs that best fit the project?
YEOJIN: To be honest with you, the CEO chose the tracks!
allkpop: Take us through the process of working on this single album—from recording the songs to filming the music videos. What was the most memorable or challenging part of preparing for 'Lv1'?
YEOJIN: My favorite part of the process of working on and producing the album was the jacket photoshoot and the music video shoot. Since my job involves how I am perceived by others, a career where the way you appear is important, I thought a lot about what expressions and gestures would make people like me more. I think the music video shoot is the most important part and the part I liked most because it was where I thought deeply about how to express my facial expressions and visuals.
The hardest part was the recording sessions. It was a bit difficult to handle parts that used to be divided [among members] all by myself. But many people around me praised me, saying I was doing well. They told me I'm doing great and to just keep going, so I felt relieved and worked hard.
allkpop: 'Lv1' captures the process of redefining your color as an artist. Now that you’re embarking on your solo journey, tell us more about that color. What is your vision or direction as a solo artist moving forward?
YEOJIN: Well, first, I want to give a voice that shows a confident and empowered woman. Actually, because I was in a group, it felt difficult to show my own unique color. But now that I'm promoting solo, I want to show everything I've wanted to do and try and everything I can do.
allkpop: Do you have any specific concepts or musical genres in mind that you'd like to experiment with for future releases?
YEOJIN: Honestly, I want to try many genres. I think showing genres I haven’t done before will be more fun for the public to watch, so I want to show a variety of styles. I hope the audience will not only remember me for a long time, but also see me as a confident woman. I truly hope to show my fans a brave side of myself.
allkpop: You said you wanted to speak with the voice of a confident woman. Is there a certain image you want to project?
YEOJIN: Honestly, what could it be? Perhaps speaking my mind more? Or expressing my individuality more clearly?
allkpop: Lastly, could you share your short- and long-term goals as a solo artist?
YEOJIN: Looking ahead, my short-term goal is to have frequent comebacks and see my fans—ORBITS (LOONA’s fandom name)—a lot. And looking long-term, I want people to say, “Ah, this artist has a very distinct color” and “This artist is really cool. I want to make her my role model.” To become that kind of cool artist, that’s my ultimate goal. I want to keep growing and building myself up to become that kind of artist—an idol who is both inspiring and dependable.
SEE ALSO: YeoJin reveals the tracks for her upcoming single album ‘Lv1’
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