I-dle's Yuqi to release self-written Chinese-language mini album '27'

At 27, pop stars are often asked to look polished, invulnerable, and hyper-curated. But for Yuqi, a multi-hyphenate artist and member of the hit K-pop group (G)I-DLE, turning 27 is an invitation to embrace friction, vulnerability, and unfiltered self-love.

Marking her solo return after one year and one month, Yuqi releases her second mini-album, 二十七 (27), Thursday. Fully written and composed by Yuqi herself, the six-track Chinese-language project uses the sunflower as a central metaphor: a bloom that holds unspoken anxieties beneath its bright face, yet persistently turns toward the sun.

Prior to the full release, the pre-release track "I Like You" signaled strong international momentum, topping YouTube’s daily trending music video charts in Singapore and Hong Kong while entering charts in over half a dozen countries, including Canada and Australia.

Ahead of the release, Yuqi sat down for a Q&A to discuss her personal evolution, musical experimentation, and what it means to be unapologetically yourself.\Q: It has been a year and a month since your last solo outing. How does it feel to be back?

Yuqi: I’ve been steadily working on this album for a long time, and I truly hope it feels like a gift to my fans. Because I wanted to capture my story at age 27, I prepared it as a Chinese-language album, which makes the meaning behind it even more special to me.

Q: The new album 二十七 (27) centers heavily on your current age. What core message were you hoping to convey through this chapter of your life?

Yuqi: The main message I wanted to send was simple: "No matter what version of myself I am, I will love who I am."

Q: Could you introduce the title track, "Stay"? Why did you choose it as the lead single, and what should listeners pay close attention to?

Yuqi: "Stay" is the story of my youth at 27, pure and simple. I chose it as the title track to convey the idea of running forward while facing the light like a sunflower, believing that tomorrow will be better. I hope listeners pay close attention to the meaning behind the lyrics as they weave between Chinese and English.

Q: Following your previous single Motivation, you wrote and composed every track on this album. What was your main focus while experimenting across these different genres?

Yuqi: I tried genres I had never shown before. Even if it felt a bit raw or unpolished at times, I worked hard to pour my honest 27-year-old self into the lyrics. I really hope everyone takes a moment to read through the lyrics for all six tracks.

Q: The music video for "I Like You" was pre-released and generated significant chart traction worldwide. Why did you decide to share that track first?

Yuqi: I felt it was the song that connected most seamlessly with the overall theme of the album. It’s also a track I personally adore, so I really wanted Neverland [the fandom] to hear it first.

Q: Do you have a final word for the fans who have been waiting for your solo return?

Yuqi: This album holds my honest story at age 27, so please give it a lot of love! Thank you, as always!

This article was published with the assistance of generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.