YENA Narrates The Odyssey Of Love In Her Fourth Mini Album “Blooming Wings”

Ten months after the release of her third single album, 네모네모 (NEMONEMO), South Korean soloist YENA is back with her fourth mini album Blooming Wings, which underscores her changing outlook on love. Contrasting with an inexperienced take on love expressed in her previous comeback, Blooming Wings illustrates a more mature viewpoint, highlighting both the favorable and flawed sides of love from beginning to end. “I wanted to show what it means to love with a heart that’s soft like feathers — to give everything, without asking anything back,” YENA explained during her media showcase. “But sometimes, that kind of love hurts the most.”

From participating in lyric development to taking leaps commissioning a very special album cover, YENA poured buckets of sincerity into her newest album. While some may be concerned with superficial matters, the 25 year-old has her sights set on authenticity as she enters her third year as a solo artist. “Just like the title suggests, I’ll spread my wings to the fullest and continue to do my best,” YENA stated earnestly.

Through purposefully listening to the album and observing all of its creative elements, Jigumis (YENA’S devoted fandom) and new fans alike can come to understand YENA’s distinct charm — and even learn from it.

To Love or Not to Love 

The album’s opening track is an anthem for the hopeless romantics. In the alternative pop song “Drama Queen, 사랑 그게 말 좀 해줘” (rough translation: Love, tell me what it is), a chronically single YENA yearns to partake in a love story like the ones she’s used to seeing on the TV screen. Contrasting with the lively instrumental, the lyrics penned by music producer 네이슨 (NATHAN) and former PRISTIN member 샤난 배 (Shannon Bae) express a slight annoyance with the cute romance narratives she consumes on the daily. Outside of the television she consumes, it is hard for YENA to understand how people in the real world find love. For someone who struggles with simple tasks such as making her own bed, the process of pursuing love seems oh-so-arduous. “Everyone’s in love, and they say I should be too / So how? / Where? How? Please tell me.” Until her prince charming comes to steal her heart with a kiss, YENA remains one with her couch, indulging in the romance dramas she loves to hate. “Ah, what do I watch now?

In the title song “Being a Good Girl Hurts 착하단 말 제일 싫어,” YENA has finally experienced her first love — and unfortunately, her first heartbreak too. The person she graciously bared her heart to was not who she thought. All of those sweet words they said to her previously were nothing but lies. 

Although the theme of the title song is intertwined with feelings of upset, YENA opted for an embellished illustration of heartbreak and angst. “We talked a lot about wanting that feeling of [watching a musical] to linger when you see [the performance]. Not only on stage, but [we] also [wanted it to feel like] a drama, animation, or other work, even just once,” she explained during her media showcase.

To deliver an authentic drama feel, YENA reached out to actor and label mate Lee Do-hyun to gauge his interest in participating in her upcoming comeback. When he was presented with the proposal, Lee, who was still serving in the military at the time, responded positively. His appearance in the music video marks his first schedule following his discharge in May 2025. 

The music video directed by Jan Lee, draws parallels from shows and movies like W: Two Worlds and Ditto, featuring Lee as a comic book artist, and YENA as the main character of his specially crafted series.

In the opening scene, we see Lee working on stills for the series titled, 착하단 말 제일 싫어 (rough translation: I hate being called nice the most), before the perspective shifts to YENA’s point of view. The events presented in the narrative appear to be from the past as YENA is seen reflecting on the things she did to capture the attention of someone she once admired: Doing her hair and makeup prettily. Grabbing an extra umbrella to give to them. Only letting them see her smile while holding back her tears. What was it all for anyways? “You thanked me while hugging me back then / None of it made sense (Weren’t you being too much?) / Why didn’t you notice me back then?,” she sings with a lingering skepticism. 

While continually navigating through these complicated feelings, she comes to the realization that the person she liked never truly saw her for her — and she’s somewhat okay with that. Despite the disastrous progression of their relationship, she expresses a sliver of gratitude because she was able to experience love for the first time, even if it was one-sided.

The one person that holds any genuine fondness for YENA is the comic book artist who illustrates her character with scrupulous attention to detail and depicts her as someone with a tenacious attitude. Throughout the video, the lines between the fictional and non-fictional world become blurred and in a post credit scene, Lee finally comes into contact with precious creation. In the moment, no words are exchanged but a palpable sense of comfort is felt as the pair stands face to face for the first time. 

From Heartbreak to Happiness

In the next b-side track “Hello, Goodbye 안녕,” produced by 네이슨 (NATHAN) and HOHO, the feelings of sadness linger as YENA agonizes over the end of a meaningful relationship. She wonders if she could’ve done something different to preserve the good times. Should she have shared the last bite of her food instead of keeping it for herself? Or held her partner closer in the summer, even though it was too hot? Maybe having a stronger first encounter could have saved things? 

Writers Note: In Korean 안녕 (pronounced annyeong) presents an informal double meaning of Hello and Goodbye. It is typically used in interactions between people with close relations, such as friends, romantic partners, etc. 

Once again, a phrase that YENA previously found comfort in becomes tainted and she finds it hard to move on from the past: “I’ve come to hate the word “annyeong” / That word is both a beginning and an end / It feels like wordplay, and I really hate that.” Opposing the lyrics that illustrate a continuous rumination, the instrumental for “Hello Goodbye 안녕“ is light and simple, opening with the sound of a lone acoustic guitar, then swiftly transitioning into a steady melody guided by a drum. This thoughtful composition offers a sense of strength in the early stages of heartbreak.

Moving into track number four, YENA teams up with Brown Eyed Girls main rapper Miryo to deliver a breakup anthem that takes on a more assertive approach. “Anyone But You 너만 아니면 돼,” produced by Ohway!, Nmore, 네이슨 (NATHAN), and 이범훈 (Lee Beom-hoon), has a house rhythm that adds a layer of confidence as YENA tells her lying partner to take a hike. Up to this point in their relationship, she has presented many chances to her lover, but now, even if it’s hard, she’s choosing herself first. “Another lie, sugar coated words / At your pathetic messages again / My heart softens just a little / But now I’m so sick of it / Goodbye, Goodnight / My darling.” 

Although YENA is straightforward with her delivery, there are hints of affection laced into her words. As Miryo delivers a rap in the third verse, she takes on the stance of a supportive friend, effectively giving YENA the last push to let go of her no good lover. 

For the fifth and final track, YENA returns to her roots, closing out with the pop rock song “364, 다 너랑 있을래,“ (rough translation: I want to be with you more) which is dedicated to the ones she wants to spend time with the most — her Jigumis. Why not 365 days? During her media showcase YENA explained the creative choice stating, “There are 365 days in the year, but [if I spend all that time with you] your parents will be upset. So [I gave up one day for them], and the rest will be spent with me.”

Through a playful composition and lyrics with contributions from 모노트리 (Monotree)’s 권애지 (Kwon Ae-jin), Roho and 네이슨 (NATHAN), a strong feeling of devotion is illustrated: “Why is it that no matter how I see you, it’s never enough? / Sticking close to you / Not even one centimeter of space between us / Will you fill my calendar?” 

In contrast with all of the previous songs, there is an expression of sureness as YENA has found someone who consistently shows up for her and remains honest. From not understanding what love is to experiencing heartbreak for the first time, Blooming Wings presents a realistic depiction of the cycle of love — and leaves listeners with a glimmer of hope. Despite the hurt that was experienced during her journey, YENA found a more powerful and unconditional love in the end.

Let’s Rewind 

Before listeners press play on Blooming Wings, they are sure to be captivated by the stunning album cover art created by the Japanese manga artist Arina Tanemura, who is known for her 2002 series “Full Moon o Sagashite (titled Looking for Full Moon in English).” 

The global collaboration between YENA and Arina began with a simple email exchange. “I should ask just once — that’s what I thought to myself,” YENA stated during a radio show appearance. Upon reaching out to the author of one of her favorite manga series, it was revealed that the admiration was not one-sided at all: “[To my surprise Arina] told me she was a fan of mine as well.”

It is no wonder why “Full Moon o Sagashite” resonated with YENA as the narrative coincidentally reflects parts of her own story. The premise of the fantasy series follows Mitsuki Koyama, a 12 year-old girl who dreams of becoming a singer in spite of her throat sarcoma. In her youth, YENA was diagnosed with lymphoma, and at the time her chances of survival seemed slim. “I was really sick to the point where the hospital told us that there was no hope,” she revealed during episode four of IZ*ONE CHU. “Our family wasn’t very well off, and because of the hospital bills, my parents went to sell kimbap every day early in the morning.” Thanks to the sacrifice of her loved ones and her own strength, YENA was able to overcome the sickness and wholeheartedly pursue her dreams. With each new music release, stage performance, and fan interaction – she has developed an unmistakable aura. 

Blooming Wings is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! For more updates on YENA, follow her Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube! 

Not ready for the music to stop? Check out our breakdown of TXT’s “The Star Chapter: TOGETHER” album here!