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Miyeon of i-dle returns solo with heartfelt album 'MY, Lover'
Miyeon of K-pop girl group i-dle waves during a press showcase for her second solo mini-album “MY, Lover” at Blue Square in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
By Pyo Kyung-min
K-pop girl group i-dle's powerhouse vocalist Miyeon returned this fall with her second solo mini-album, "MY, Lover," a wistful yet elegant collection that deepens her musical identity outside of the fierce five-piece act.
The new release marks Miyeon's first solo comeback in three and a half years, since releasing "MY" in 2022. Featuring seven tracks, the album highlights Miyeon's growth beyond her presence as the main vocalist of i-dle, presenting a new portrait of her as an independent artist.
Now 28, Miyeon first drew attention years before her debut when it was revealed that she had trained alongside BLACKPINK members in YG Entertainment's pre-debut lineup. Eventually making her debut in 2018 under Cube Entertainment, Miyeon has since built a reputation as a solid K-pop vocalist.
Last year, Miyeon officially released "Sky Walking," a self-written track she first performed during i-dle's world tour. Ahead of the new album, she dropped the prerelease track "Reno (Feat. Colde)" on Oct. 28, which drew attention for its deeper tone.
A few hours before the official album release on Monday, Miyeon held a press showcase at Blue Square SOL Travel Hall in Seoul, where she performed live and discussed the creative process behind the project.
Miyeon of K-pop group i-dle performs the title track “Say My Name” during a press showcase for her second solo mini-album “MY, Lover” at Blue Square Theater in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
"I've been blessed to do a lot of work this year and I've been so happy," she said. "It's been three and a half years since my last solo album and I spent a long time preparing this one. During my first album, I couldn't meet fans in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, I'm looking forward to seeing them face-to-face and performing live."
The album's title track, "Say My Name," is a pop ballad perfectly suited for autumn, blending delicate piano lines with Miyeon's soaring vocals.
"I thought a lot about which song should represent this album," Miyeon said. "I tried not to overexert myself. In the end, I decided that showing my natural self would be best, and that's why I chose 'Say My Name.'"
With a pale pink, rhinestone-studded microphone in her hand, Miyeon delivered a commanding live vocal performance during the Monday event. Her composure and confidence on stage reflected the experience she gained over the years, proving she is more than ready to stand on her own as a solo artist.
Miyeon of K-pop group i-dle performs the title track “Say My Name” during a press showcase for her second solo mini-album “MY, Lover” at Blue Square in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
Miyeon also took part in the album's creative process, contributing lyrics to "F.F.L.Y" and "You And No One Else." The mini-album also includes "Space Invader," "Petal Shower" and "Show," rounding out the seven-track work.
Smiling, she said her ambition for this project came naturally with experience.
"Now that I have more years behind me, I wanted to create something more complete. I built this album piece by piece, like putting together a puzzle with my team, and I think that process helped me grow," she said.
"As i-dle's main vocalist, I often focus on delivering strong, impactful lines. But as a solo artist, I wanted to show that I can carry an entire song by myself. I prepared this album with the mindset of broadening my musical spectrum and becoming a more impressive artist."
Miyeon of K-pop group i-dle performs the title track “Say My Name” during a press showcase for her second solo mini-album “MY, Lover” at Blue Square in Seoul’s Yongsan District, Monday. Yonhap
As its title suggests, Miyeon said that while her first mini-album "MY" captured her artistic identity, "MY, Lover" delves into the theme of love. Throughout the creative process, she found herself reflecting on what the emotion truly means.
"While working on this album, I realized how multifaceted love is and how it can be reflected in so many different ways," she said. "I didn't want it to be confined to romance. I wanted to express emotions that anyone could understand and connect with."
Since her debut, Miyeon has often said her goal is not grand success but gratitude for each day spent with her members and fans. That sentiment remains unchanged.
"When we debuted as i-dle, we never imagined we'd receive so much love," she said. "That's why I've always tried to appreciate every moment. This album was another opportunity to challenge myself without pressure or greed, to broaden my musical spectrum and to think about what comes next. There are many emotional songs that suit the season, so I hope people can simply enjoy listening."