Choi Yena Spreads Her Wings in ‘Blooming Wings’: The Heart of Her Unique Solo Identity

With blooming wings, she takes the sky,
In every note, her colors fly—
A solo star, no need to try.

Singer Choi Ye-na has officially returned to the music scene with her fourth mini album, Blooming Wings, further solidifying the musical identity fans fondly refer to as “Yena Core.” But this is no ordinary comeback—it marks Ye-na’s evolution as a solo artist who has grown more confident and artistically mature.

At the album release showcase held on July 29 at SOL Travel Hall, Blue Square, Hannam-dong, Seoul, Ye-na appeared visibly excited as she shared her feelings with fans. She admitted to feeling nervous yet thrilled to finally present the new album—one that took 10 full months to complete and reflects the most authentic side of herself. “I wanted to show the version of me that is the most like Ye-na,” she expressed.

Following her recent challenge of taking on a serious acting role in KBS2’s The Country of Villains, Ye-na returns to her musical roots with Blooming Wings. This album tells a unique narrative of love and growth—ranging from the innocent joy of first love to the bittersweet emotion of heartbreak, set against visuals like a rainy alleyway.

Ye-na explained that the term “Yena Core” originated from public comments praising her distinct artistic flair. “Even during Smiley and Nemo Nemo, I often heard people say, ‘This is so Ye-na,’ or ‘Only Ye-na could do this.’ My agency loved the term so much, we even created a dedicated account for it. I want to continue bringing joy and happiness on stage,” she explained.

To Ye-na, Yena Core represents something uniquely hers—an artistic color that can’t be copied or even fully explained. It’s this individuality that makes each of her performances feel personal and refreshing.

The title track, “I Hate Being Called Kind”, serves as the centerpiece of this album. It delivers a bright sound tinged with quiet sadness—like fireworks bursting on a summer night. Ye-na’s vocals carry a gradually intensifying emotional arc, supported by musical-style staging and whimsical, animated visuals.

“This song expresses the sincere desire to be good to someone you love, yet also the pain that lingers after a breakup. The hook is really strong—I even asked for a vocal challenge during the production,” Ye-na said. She also hopes the song can be a comforting companion for all occasions—whether commuting, working, or relaxing at home.

One of the highlights of this comeback is the appearance of actor Lee Do-hyun, fresh from completing his military service, in the official music video. Both Ye-na and Lee belong to the same agency, and she personally requested his involvement. “It felt like shooting a film. I was genuinely touched and grateful during filming,” she shared.

🎥 Watch the official MV here:

Just minutes after the official music video was released, Ye-na had already received a flood of positive comments from fans. One comment highlighted Ye-na’s complete dedication across every aspect of the comeback:

“THE VOCALS? THE MV? THE INSTRUMENTAL? THE CONCEPT? THE COSTUMES? YENA?!! This song is truly amazing!! One of my favorite comebacks!! love you Yena 💞💞” – @cozywithamelia

Another fan showed heartfelt appreciation for Ye-na’s hard work:

“YENA, WE LOVE YOU!! THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK, YOU ARE TRYING SO HARD FOR US. THE NEW SONG IS VERY BEAUTIFUL ❤️” – @BRIS4_1

There was also a Korean comment praising Ye-na’s stunning visuals in the music video:

“교복 예나 청량해서 너무 이쁘고 마지막에 드레스 입고 휘날리는 예나도 너무 이쁘다!! 모든 순간이 이쁜 예나 대박나자 😍😍” – @Ny-lq3hp.

Translation: “Ye-na looks so pretty and refreshing in the school uniform, and when she twirls in a dress at the end—she’s absolutely gorgeous!! Every moment of Ye-na is beautiful. Wishing you great success, Ye-na! 😍😍”

These comments reflect how Ye-na’s comeback has not only been warmly received, but has also touched the hearts of fans all over the world.

From Highlight Medley to Miryo Feature: Fans Are Loving This Epic Collaboration

The mini album includes six tracks: “Drama Queen,” the title track “I Hate Being Called Kind,” “Hello, Goodbye,” “As Long As It’s Not You” (feat. Miryo of Brown Eyed Girls), and “364.” Ye-na also took part in writing the lyrics for “Hello,” adding a personal touch to the album. She shared that while the theme of love can be complex, honesty and sincerity are key in expressing it.

A standout moment is her collaboration with veteran rapper Miryo. Ye-na shared that she grew up singing karaoke with her family twice a week, and Brown Eyed Girls’ songs were always on the list. Upon hearing the demo for “As Long As It’s Not You,” she instantly knew the song had to feature Miryo. After struggling to reach her directly, Ye-na even asked for help from Jaejae and sent a DM herself. The result? One of the album’s most talked-about tracks.

Now three years into her solo career, Ye-na feels she has truly “spread her wings.” She recalled a particular dance break at an award show that drew unexpected attention. “I felt like I was finally performing the way I always wanted to. That was when I realized—when you put your heart into something, people recognize it.”

Despite several hits under her belt, Ye-na admitted she still experiences doubt. Her early days as a solo artist felt unfamiliar and challenging, but she’s now filled with gratitude as she continues discovering her own artistic identity. “I’m really happy these days, so I hope this promotion lasts longer than just performing—I want to connect with people,” she said.

The excitement around this comeback isn’t limited to Korea. On X (formerly Twitter), international fans are buzzing about Ye-na’s unconventional and creative promotional strategy:

“Choi Yena’s marketing is genius this time around like….. getting other celebrities to sing your song before it comes out?? That’s reallly good.”

As part of this strategy, several celebrities and fellow idols shared videos of themselves singing snippets of Ye-na’s song on X:

Some fans even confessed their personal dilemmas but couldn’t resist Ye-na’s charm:

“This album is too cute…. might need to listen to it properly to really find my track. cute concepts are too much for an introvert like me but it’s Yena so I will surely love it.”

And of course, the highlight medley left fans instantly hooked:

“omg i love all and I’m seated

BLOOMING WINGS HIGHLIGHT MEDLEY

#Blooming_Wings #YENA”

As she wrapped up her showcase, Ye-na shared her heartfelt wish for fans to fully enjoy the album—especially since it was crafted with so much care. “Please listen to my album often. It’s my first release in 10 months, and I hope everyone who’s waited will say, ‘Now I get why it took 10 months.’ I’ll spread my wings and make this promotion a successful one too,” she concluded.

Sources: Daum, Chosun