INTERVIEW Yerin reflects on bumpy yet hopeful solo journey after GFriend
Yerin, former member of K-pop act GFriend, is set to return to the music scene with the release of her third mini-album, "Rewrite." Courtesy of Bill Entertainment
Following the disbandment of K-pop group GFriend, member Yerin has been focused on establishing her solo career, having already released two solo albums.
However, during an interview at her agency headquarters, Bill Entertainment in Seoul's Gangnam District, Aug. 29, the idol revealed that her journey as a solo performer has been anything but easy.
"During the promotional activities for my second album, 'Ready, Set, LOVE,' I found myself surprisingly nervous, despite my previous stage experience. I ended up with the kind of stiff expression you often see on rookies," Yerin said, wearing a big smile.
"Performing solo has its advantages, like the ability to showcase my unique style, something that was different when I was with the members of GFriend. However, the downside is the pressure to perform better on my own. I've had to work even harder to ensure that my solo performances don't fall short."
Yerin's latest release "Rewrite" contains a total of six songs, including the title track, "Wavy." Courtesy of Bill Entertainment
Yerin debuted in 2015 at the age of 20 as a member of GFriend, a group that introduced a fresh wave of pure and innocent charm to the K-pop scene. Despite being with a relatively small agency, the sextet set a record in 2016 for the most wins on local music ranking shows.
However, after HYBE Labels acquired GFriend's agency, Source Music, in 2020, the group's shift in concepts from their original image failed to resonate widely. In 2021, just four days after the company announced the end of their contracts, the group officially disbanded.
Since then, the former members of GFriend have pursued individual careers in music and acting — including members Eunha, SinB and Umji forming VIVIZ to continue their idol careers.
The sudden disbandment of GFriend also recently resurfaced in discussions amid tensions between Hybe and the former CEO of its subsidiary, Ador, Min Hee-jin. Online speculation suggested that the abrupt end of Gfriend’s career was orchestrated to pave the way for HYBE's new girl group.
During the interview, Yerin also acknowledged being aware of the recent controversy.
"I naturally came across parts of the controversy that mentioned us. Seeing the various reactions online, I felt grateful knowing that many people still remember and miss GFriend," Yerin said. "I realized that I've worked hard until now and that we provided good music during a significant era of K-pop."
Yerin, a former member of K-pop girl group GFriend, acknowledged the recent controversies surrounding the sudden disbandment of the group back in 2021. Courtesy of Bill Entertainment
Though no longer active as a member of GFriend, Yerin is now in her second year as a solo artist, working to make her own mark on the industry. As part of this effort, she is set to release her third mini-album, "Rewrite," Wednesday.
She likened the new album to "finally wearing clothes that fit me better than before."
"I've faced many challenges during my solo career, and through that process, I discovered that my strength lies in my cheerful and lively image. So, for this album, I focused on highlighting that vibrant side of myself. I hope this will bring happiness to those who listen to my music," she added.
The album’s title track, "Wavy," is a house genre song that embodies Yerin's desire to spread positive energy. Describing the track as conveying the message, "Let’s color the world with our own unique waves," the singer shared that the song is perfect for moments that need a boost.
"It's a great song to listen to while driving, starting something new, or when you need to mentally prepare yourself," she explained. "The choreography is intense, involving entire body movements. If you want to lose weight, just follow the dance — it'll definitely help," she remarked with a giggle.
Yerin debuted in 2015 at the age of 20 as a member of K-pop girl group GFriend. Courtesy of Bill Entertainment
The new "Rewrite" album features six tracks spanning various genres, including the title track "Wavy," "SHINE," "Permeate," "Save Me," "One Thing" and "4U."
Proudly stating that she hopes this album will solidify her identity as an artist, Yerin concluded the interview with a hopeful message.
"This summer has been so hot, but I hope people will say that my album beautifully wrapped up the season. I want to be an artist who fans can't wait to see again, someone whose next album is highly anticipated," she declared.
"It's been a year since my last release, but I’ll work hard to prepare for the next one more quickly, thanks to everyone’s support."