Review'Mamma Mia' proves izna is more than pretty faces

K-pop girl group izna performs "Mamma Mia," the group's latest lead single from its second mini-album, "Not Just Pretty," during a press event at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Tuesday. Yonhap

Global rookie girl group izna came back Tuesday evening with its second mini-album "Not Just Pretty," a project that aims to do more than upgrade the group's already stunning visuals. It positions the six-piece as a force moving well past what initially meets the eyes, delivering a sharper, more confident edge.

Born out of Mnet's audition program "I-Land 2: N/a," izna — composing members Mai, Bang Jee-min, Koko, Ryu Sa-rang, Choi Jung-eun and Jeong Sae-bi — had already proven themselves as performers before their official debut. Their journey from pre-debut buzz to their November 2024 first album "N/a" marked steady strides — the title track "IZNA" and follow-up singles "SIGN" and "BEEP" quietly but firmly positioned them on the K-pop map.

WAKEONE, the group's label, calls the new release proof that izna "can no longer be defined by a single image." Instead, "Not Just Pretty" is designed to showcase the group's diverse colors that speak to both "growth and possibility."

At its center is "Mamma Mia," a title track that packs a surprising punch despite its minimalist beat. Its addictive electronic hooks and magnetic rhythm come courtesy of star producer Teddy Park, the hitmaker behind some of BLACKPINK’s biggest songs.

Just hours before the album’s release, izna took the stage at a media showcase to unveil "Mamma Mia," revealing how far they’ve come since their "I-Land 2" days. Where their viral cover of aespa’s "Drama" once showed the unpolished edges of trainees, this time their performance was sharp, cohesive and commanding.

Earlier tracks had leaned on simpler choreography, but “Mamma Mia” marked a full pivot — packed with shifting formations and movements so exact they felt calculated down to the millimeter.

In a climate where several top girl groups are facing backlash for half-hearted, lazy performances, izna's energy felt almost like a statement — a refusal to be lumped in with the same criticism.

One of the moment's highlights came from Choi Jung-eun, whose commanding performance early in the track offered a visual catharsis. It was a reminder of her presence at KCON LA in August, when she and fellow members Bang Jee-min and Koko delivered a standout turn on "Golden," the soundtrack to Netflix’s animated hit "KPop Demon Hunters." Her performance here suggested a rising global star in the making.

K-pop girl group izna performs "Mamma Mia," the group's latest lead single from its second mini-album, "Not Just Pretty," during a press event at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Tuesday. Yonhap

The song’s layered appeal lies not just in choreography but also in sound.

Breezy electronic riffs run throughout, making the track as danceable for fans in their living rooms as it is on stage. The late-song swell, a Teddy Park trademark, echoes the dramatic builds that powered BLACKPINK’s biggest hits, sealing "Mamma Mia" as another potential K-pop anthem.

That impact mattered all the more following Yoon Ji-yoon's departure in August. As the group’s powerhouse vocalist, her absence raised doubts about izna’s next steps. While "Mamma Mia" leans heavily on rap to fill Yoon's gap, the group’s intensity on stage made her absence less noticeable — a testament to the group's collective willpower.

K-pop girl group izna performs "Mamma Mia," the group's latest lead single from its second mini-album, "Not Just Pretty," during a press event at Yes24 Live Hall in Seoul's Gwangjin District, Tuesday. Yonhap

The mini-album spans a total of five tracks: the retro-tinged love song "Supercrush," "Racecar," with its breathless sprint toward dreams, the dreamy synth-pop ballad "In the Rain," and a sleek new spin on "SIGN (Remix)." Together, they offer contrasting moods while keeping izna's cohesive identity, while standouts like "Supercrush" and "Racecar" shine with polish, balancing retro familiarity with a modern edge.

Though the record avoids high-wire vocal showcases, it thrives on its clarity and craft. "Not Just Pretty" feels like the work of a group refusing to get lost in K-pop’s churn — a concise yet effective declaration that izna has arrived as artists with something important to say.

The group won’t stay still, either — izna will launch into full comeback promotions across music programs and online content, before greeting fans face-to-face. The band's "Not Just Pretty" fan concerts are set for Nov. 8–9 at SOL Travel Hall in Seoul and Dec. 9–10 at Makuhari Event Hall in Chiba, Japan, underscoring their ambitions to connect on a global scale.