YENA Smiley: Behind The Making of K-pop's Happiest Solo Debut

Scoring an impressive 8.6 out of 10 from critics, YENA's "Smiley" emerged as one of K-pop's most celebrated solo debuts of 2022. Released on January 17, the title track showcased her vibrant personality while spreading a message of joy and resilience through music.

The five-track album demonstrates YENA's artistic growth since her departure from IZONE in early 2021. Notably, she contributed to writing lyrics for four of the five tracks, including "Before Anyone Else," "Lxxk 2 U," "Pretty Boys," and "Vacay." As the third member of IZONE to pursue a solo career, she carved her own unique path in the industry.

The success of "Smiley" became evident when the song clinched a win on M Countdown on February 10, 2022. Through its whimsical music video and positive message about maintaining optimism during challenging times, the album resonated strongly with audiences, establishing YENA as a promising solo artist in the K-pop landscape.

The Creative Vision Behind YENA's Solo Journey

After returning to Yuehua Entertainment following IZ*ONE's disbandment in April 2021, YENA embarked on an intensive preparation period for her solo career. The agency strategically positioned her as a versatile artist, emphasizing her abilities as a singer-songwriter and rapper.

From IZ*ONE to Solo Artist: YENA's Evolution

Following her successful run with IZ*ONE, where she served as lead vocalist and dancer, YENA channeled her experience into crafting a distinct solo identity. Her agency representatives emphasized that she would showcase diverse aspects of her artistry, building upon her previous roles as a vocalist, dancer, and rapper.

Developing the 'Smiley' Concept

The creation of the 'Smiley' concept stemmed from YENA's natural personality and desire to spread positivity. The album's visual aesthetic combined throwback elements with modern flair, creating a cheerful mood that resonated with fans. The concept extended beyond mere aesthetics, as YENA participated in writing lyrics that expressed maintaining a positive mindset through challenging situations.

Choosing the Perfect Sound

The musical direction for "Smiley" encompassed multiple genres, creating a diverse sonic palette:

Hip-hop and pop elements
Rock and acoustic influences
R&B undertones
Dance-oriented tracks

YENA demonstrated her artistic growth by participating in the composition and lyric writing for several tracks, consequently establishing herself as a more complete artist. Additionally, she approached the album with unwavering confidence, focusing on creating music that would transcend borders to capture listeners' hearts in both Korea and Japan.

Inside the Album Production Process

The production process of "Smiley" brought together some of K-pop's most skilled producers. Yuehua Entertainment assembled an impressive team, specifically choosing collaborators based on their track record and trending popularity in the industry.

Collaborating with Top K-pop Producers

The album's production team included renowned names in K-pop:

Ollipop - Lead producer for the title track "Smiley"
72 - Contributing producer across multiple tracks
Mayu Wakisaka - Key collaborator on several songs

Furthermore, these producers had previously worked with EVERGLOW, bringing their signature sound to YENA's debut.

YENA's Involvement in Songwriting

In fact, YENA demonstrated her artistic growth through active participation in the songwriting process. She contributed lyrics to four tracks on the EP, including "Before Anyone Else," "Smiley," "Lxxk 2 U," and "Pretty Boys". Her involvement added personal depth to the album's message, particularly in expressing positivity through challenging situations.

Recording Studio Stories

The recording process showcased YENA's vocal versatility. Her performances were meticulously executed, adding sweetness and distinctive character to each track. Moreover, the production team focused on balancing the album's sound, incorporating various genres such as hip-hop, pop, rock, acoustic, and R&B. As a result, the final product emerged as one of the more polished and focused pop efforts from the IZ*ONE alumni.

The BIBI x YENA Collaboration Story

The strategic pairing of YENA with BIBI proved to be a masterstroke in creating K-pop's most distinctive solo debuts. BIBI's edgy artistry brought an unexpected dimension to "Smiley," establishing a perfect counterbalance to YENA's bright energy.

How the Feature Came Together

The collaboration emerged from a calculated decision to prevent the song from becoming overly sweet. BIBI's signature style, known for its darker undertones, offered the perfect contrast to YENA's cheerful persona. Although BIBI typically sports two hand-drawn moles beneath her eyes, she cleverly transformed them into a frowny face for the music video, later changing to a smile - a subtle detail that perfectly captured the song's transformative message.

Creating Chemistry in the Studio

The duo's vocal synergy emerged naturally, with BIBI adopting a higher tone that complemented YENA's vocals seamlessly. Their contrasting approaches created an engaging push-and-pull dynamic, adding depth to the track's emotional range. Nevertheless, the collaboration maintained a careful balance, ensuring BIBI's presence enhanced rather than overshadowed YENA's debut performance.

Impact on the Final Song

The feature's influence extended beyond mere musical collaboration. BIBI's "villainous" verse prevented the track from becoming overly animated, intercepting it at precisely the right moment. Subsequently, this calculated contrast helped the song achieve broader appeal, with fans particularly praising how BIBI's darker elements elevated the overall composition. The producers' decision to bring in BIBI as a foil ultimately created a light-and-dark dynamic that many critics hoped to see explored in future collaborations.

Breaking Down the Album Tracks

YENA's debut mini-album showcases an impressive range of musical styles across its five tracks. The album opens with "Before Anyone Else," a dreamy ballad that highlights her vocal control and emotional depth.

Track-by-Track Musical Analysis

The album's musical diversity shines through its carefully crafted tracks:

"Smiley" - A pop-rock anthem with nostalgic 2000s influences
"Lxxk 2 U" - An energetic rock-pop fusion scoring a perfect 10/10 from critics
"Pretty Boys" - A retro-influenced dance track with funky undertones
"Vacay" - A summer-themed pop song showcasing YENA's high-pitched vocal prowess

Lyrical Themes and Messages

Essentially, each track carries distinct emotional weight. "Before Anyone Else" emerged from late-night inspiration, primarily crafted as a heartfelt response to fan letters. Simultaneously, "Lxxk 2 U" explores themes of breakups with a sense of urgency and rebellion.

Fan Reception and Impact

The album's reception has been overwhelmingly positive, undoubtedly establishing YENA as a promising solo artist. Critics praised the album's refined pop melodies and watertight arrangements. "Pretty Boys" and "Lxxk 2 U" emerged as fan favorites, with many considering them early candidates for B-side of the year. Accordingly, the album scored an impressive 8.6/10 in critical reviews.

FAQS

Curious fans often ask questions about YENA's journey and personal life. Here are the most frequently asked questions about the artist behind "Smiley."

What is YENA's educational background? YENA attended Hanlim Multi Art School.

What languages can YENA speak? Besides Korean, she speaks Chinese and Japanese fluently.

What are YENA's special talents? Primarily known for her musical abilities, YENA plays guitar and excels at hip-hop dance. She studied at Joy Dance Academy.

What TV shows has YENA appeared in? Indeed, YENA has built an impressive television portfolio. She was a fixed cast member of "Prison Life of Fools" alongside GOT7's JB and SEVENTEEN's Seungkwan. She also appeared in "Girls High School Mystery Class" and "Idol Dictation Contest".

What makes YENA unique among K-pop artists? Obviously, her versatility stands out. Initially trained as a vocalist and dancer, she became IZONE's main rapper. She later served as IZONE's creative director during their online concert.

Has YENA received any notable awards? Markedly, she won the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards' Daesang as 'Influential Entertainment Idol (Female),' becoming the first IZ*ONE member to receive an individual award and Daesang.

What personal challenges has YENA overcome? Generally unknown to many fans, YENA is a childhood cancer survivor. She overcame lymphoma despite being told there was no chance of survival. Her family sold kimbap every morning to cover her hospital bills.

What are some of YENA's hobbies? Certainly, YENA enjoys various activities. She loves reading books, watching movies, and is particularly skilled at playing claw machines. She also enjoys skateboarding and creating choreographies.