The Rise of Yves Loona: A Journey Through Ha Soo-young's Musical Career

From a trainee in Busan to becoming Yves LOONA, Ha Soo-young's journey through the K-pop industry stands as a testament to perseverance and artistic evolution.

Her story began as a passionate dancer in Busan before joining LOONA, where she would become known for her powerful performances and leadership qualities. Now, as she emerges with PAIX PER MIL, Ha Soo-young continues to redefine her artistic identity while maintaining the distinctive charm that first captured fans' attention.

Early Artistic Foundations

The foundations of Yves' artistic journey were laid in the bustling city of Busan, South Korea, where her passion for performing arts first emerged. From her earliest days in kindergarten, she demonstrated her artistic inclinations through drawings of herself performing with a microphone, foreshadowing her future career path.

Childhood Dreams and Musical Inspirations

A pivotal moment in young Ha Soo-young's life came while watching Wonder Girls' debut performance of "Irony" in 2007. The sight of these "cool unnies in uniforms singing and dancing" ignited a spark that would shape her future aspirations. This early exposure to K-pop performance became the catalyst for her determined pursuit of a singing career.

Dance Training in Busan

Her dedication to artistic development led her to join Dance Up Academy in Busan, where she began her formal training. The journey wasn't easy, as she maintained a rigorous schedule:

Her commitment became evident through her appearances on Dance Up Academy's YouTube channel, with her first feature in "Dance Up Jr: K-Pop Cover Dance" on October 25, 2015. This period marked her initial steps into the world of professional dance training.

Academic Excellence While Pursuing Arts

Despite the demanding schedule of her artistic pursuits, Yves demonstrated remarkable academic prowess. She maintained an impressive ranking of #11 in her class while secretly participating in her high school's dance group. This decision to keep her artistic activities hidden stemmed from her mother's initial opposition to her performing arts aspirations. However, her passion for music eventually led her to reveal her dreams during her junior year, marking a turning point in her journey.

This period of balancing academics with artistic training showcased not only her determination but also her ability to excel in multiple areas simultaneously. Her experience navigating between the small town of Yangsan and the urban landscape of Busan for training would later prove invaluable in her professional career.

Journey to K-pop Stardom

The path to K-pop stardom took an unexpected turn when Ha Soo-young stepped into Dream Vocal & Dance Academy in Seoul. Her determination to pursue her dreams led her to join multiple training academies, where she honed her skills alongside future industry peers.

Audition Success Story

In a twist of fate, Polaris Entertainment held auditions at Dream Vocal & Dance Academy. Despite feeling unwell that day, Yves' sister convinced her to participate. Her initial performance caught the attention of BlockBerry Creative's A&R team, leading to a second audition at their headquarters. Her audition repertoire showcased her versatility:

• Performed Navi's "At the Han River"

• Executed SUNMI's "24 Hours"

• Demonstrated freestyle choreography to an ODD EYE CIRCLE song

Training Period Challenges

What sets Yves' journey apart is her remarkably brief training period. With just three weeks of training, she faced the challenge of preparing for debut in an incredibly compressed timeframe. The company immediately immersed her in debut preparations, from song recording to album jacket filming, though she initially didn't realize these were for her actual debut.

Debut with LOONA

On November 6, 2017, Yves was first teased to the public, marking the beginning of her journey as LOONA's ninth member. Her swift transition from trainee to idol culminated in the release of her solo single album on November 28, 2017. This rapid debut, occurring just 34 days after passing her audition, showcased BlockBerry Creative's confidence in her abilities.

The unconventional speed of her debut raised eyebrows, even causing her mother to initially suspect it might be a scam. However, Yves proved her worth through her debut single "New" and participation in various LOONA projects, including the formation of the sub-unit LOONA yyxy.

Evolution with LOONA

The evolution of Ha Soo-young within LOONA marked a significant chapter in her artistic journey, beginning with her memorable solo debut that would set the stage for her future endeavors.

Solo Project 'New'

Her debut single "New" released on November 28, 2017, established her presence in the K-pop scene. The self-titled single album showcased her versatility as a performer and laid the groundwork for her future contributions to LOONA. Her solo work demonstrated not just her vocal abilities but also her capacity to embody different concepts, setting her apart in the pre-debut project.

Leadership in yyxy

As the first member revealed for LOONA's third sub-unit yyxy (youth youth by young), Yves stepped into a leadership role that would define her position within the group. The sub-unit's achievements include:

• Reaching #4 on the Gaon Album Chart with their EP "Beauty& the Beat"

• Collaborating with international artist Grimes on their title track "love4eva"

• Establishing a unique identity within LOONA's complex narrative structure

Group Dynamic and Role

Beyond her leadership in yyxy, Yves contributed significantly to LOONA's artistic development. She participated in choreography creation, notably for the track "Satellite" and was credited for choreography ideas in their title track "So What". Her influence extended beyond performance, as she demonstrated her songwriting abilities by penning lyrics for LOONA's 2022 track "Playback".

Her role as a mentor and supporter within the group became evident through her collaborative spirit. Even after the group's separation, she maintained strong bonds with her former members, as demonstrated when Olivia Hye (now known as HyeJu) came to support her solo activities, with Yves noting how the presence of even one member made "all the difference". This testament to her leadership style showcased how she balanced professional guidance with personal connection throughout her time with LOONA.

Creative Development

Through her artistic evolution, Ha Soo-young has demonstrated remarkable growth in her creative approach, particularly as she transitions into her solo career. Her development as an artist encompasses multiple facets of musical expression and performance.

Songwriting Process

Her songwriting methodology reflects a deeply personal approach to music creation. She draws inspiration from various sources in her daily life:

When crafting lyrics, she particularly gravitates toward R&B compositions featuring guitar and piano arrangements that complement vocalists' unique tones. Her transition to solo work has expanded her creative spectrum, allowing her to incorporate more authentic personal narratives compared to her previous group-oriented compositions.

Dance Style Evolution

The evolution of her dance style mirrors the broader transformation in K-pop performance standards. Her approach to choreography has become increasingly sophisticated, incorporating elements that showcase both technical precision and emotional expression. For solo performances, she has embraced the challenge of commanding the stage independently, expressing excitement about monitoring her solo stage presence and learning from these new experiences.

Musical Identity Formation

The formation of her musical identity has been a journey of continuous discovery. Through her debut EP 'Loop', she revealed different dimensions of her artistry, from ethereal vocals in "Diorama" to the energetic rock elements in "Afterglow". This exploration of various musical styles reflects her understanding that identity isn't singular but multi-layered.

Her work with producers has helped shape her vocal approach, particularly in exploring different tones and techniques. For instance, in recording "Gone Girl," she adopted a conversational singing style, demonstrating her versatility as a vocalist. The evolution of her musical identity continues to unfold through each release, with each project revealing new aspects of her artistic personality.

This creative development phase has been marked by both challenges and triumphs. While initially expressing concerns about potentially "ruining" songs due to their perceived perfection, she has grown to embrace these challenges, working closely with producers to achieve satisfying results. Her journey represents an ongoing process of self-discovery through artistic expression, with each new project serving as a stepping stone toward further creative exploration.

Breaking Free

The journey to independence marked a pivotal chapter in Ha Soo-young's career, as legal challenges transformed into opportunities for growth and artistic freedom. The path began when she, along with eight other LOONA members, filed an injunction to suspend their contracts with BlockBerry Creative on November 28, 2022.

Legal Battles and Independence

The initial legal proceedings brought mixed results. In January 2023, Yves, along with four other members, faced a setback when they lost their first trial. However, persistence paid off when on June 16, 2023, the Seoul High Court's Fifth Civil Cases Division ruled in their favor, citing issues with BlockBerry's unauthorized transfer of contracts to Universal Japan. This victory marked a significant milestone in her pursuit of artistic freedom.

Key developments in the legal battle included:

Personal Growth Through Adversity

The period of legal uncertainty became a catalyst for personal development. While navigating the complexities of contract disputes, Yves maintained her artistic pursuits and continued to build connections with her fanbase. Her resilience during this period demonstrated her ability to transform challenges into opportunities for growth.

New Beginning with PAIX PER MIL

On March 13, 2024, Yves embarked on a new chapter by signing with PAIX PER MIL. The label, founded by MILLIC, houses various talented artists including EOH, IOAH, and blah. This strategic move positioned her alongside established musicians and producers, providing a platform for her artistic evolution.

The transition to PAIX PER MIL marked more than just a change in management. As a producer under NiNE Music, Yves gained creative control over her artistic direction. This dual role as both performer and producer exemplifies her growth from group member to independent artist, setting the stage for her upcoming projects and artistic ventures.

Her journey through legal challenges and eventual independence serves as a testament to her determination and artistic vision. The experience has not only shaped her professional trajectory but has also contributed to her evolution as an artist, preparing her for the next phase of her career.

Solo Artist Emergence

May 2024 marked a defining moment in Ha Soo-young's career as she stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist, channeling years of experience into her debut extended play. The transformation from group member to independent artist showcased her artistic maturity and creative vision.

Debut EP 'Loop'

Released on May 29, 2024, 'Loop' emerged as a testament to Ha Soo-young's artistic evolution. The EP featured four distinctive tracks:

The title track "Loop," produced by PAIX PER MIL founder Millic and labelmate Ioah, showcased her versatility through its dance house elements. The collaboration with Lil Cherry added a unique dimension to her debut, with the rapper contributing both vocals and co-writing credits.

Artistic Direction and Vision

At age 27, Ha Soo-young embraced complete artistic freedom in shaping her musical identity. Working closely with skilled producers at PAIX PER MIL, she focused on exploring her creative boundaries while maintaining her authentic voice. The EP symbolized a break from previous patterns, allowing her to express personal narratives and emotions that resonated with listeners.

Her approach to production demonstrated a mature artistic vision. While entrusting the title track to the company's producers, she maintained involvement in the creative process, particularly in vocal arrangements and harmonies. The decision to work with PAIX PER MIL stemmed from her desire to broaden her musical spectrum and collaborate with skilled producers who could complement her artistic vision.

Industry Impact

The release of 'Loop' generated significant industry attention, marking her first official solo work in over six years. Her debut showcased a departure from traditional K-pop sounds, incorporating alternative elements that distinguished her in the competitive solo artist landscape. The EP's success led to her first solo European tour, demonstrating her growing international appeal.

Her impact extended beyond commercial success, as she established herself as an artist capable of balancing artistic integrity with market demands. Through meditation and spiritual practices, she maintained her creative focus while managing industry pressures. This balanced approach to artistry and professionalism has positioned her as a rising force in the evolving K-pop landscape.