Nayeon has been on an exciting journey over the past few years. In 2021, her K-Pop girl group, Twice, achieved a new level of international success. They landed their first entries on the Billboard 200 Top 10 with "Taste of Love" and on the Billboard Hot 100 with "The Feels," solidifying their status as global superstars.
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| Nayeon COURTESY OF JYP ENTERTAINMENT |
The following year, Twice released their fourth Japanese album, "Celebrate," in July and their 11th Korean EP, "Between 1&2," in August. However, Nayeon, the group's oldest member, started that summer with Twice's very first solo album, titled "Im Nayeon" (Im is the singer's surname).
"Regarding the first album, I felt considerable pressure as it marked Twice's debut solo endeavor," Nayeon shares with The Hollywood Reporter, conveyed through a translator.
The EP, accompanied by its standout single "Pop!", exemplified the distinctive elevated bubblegum pop synonymous with Nayeon and Twice. It garnered immediate success both domestically in Korea and on a global scale, securing a debut at No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart.
Presently, Nayeon, the 28-year-old songstress, radiates joy during a midday Zoom call from her agency, JYP Entertainment, situated in Seoul. Amidst sold-out world tours and chart-topping albums as a member of Twice, Nayeon diligently readies herself for the release of her highly anticipated sophomore EP, "Na," which premiered today.
Nayeon COURTESY OF JYP ENTERTAINMENT
Departing slightly from her inaugural solo venture, "Na" embarks on a sonic exploration mirroring the evolution of an artist no longer confined to the adolescence of her debut. While "Pop!" served as a radiant anthem for fans on a sunlit summer day with windows down, "Na's" leading single, "ABCD," resonates more as the soundtrack to a vibrant night out with friends.
"I wanted to showcase a side of myself that I didn't get to explore as a member of Twice and in my first album," Nayeon explains, expressing her desire to present a more "mature" and "stronger and bolder" sound.
"Na," a play on the singer's name and the Korean word for "me," comprises seven tracks—four in Korean and three in English. The new release includes several collaborations, similar to Nayeon’s first album.
The album's third track, "Heaven," features Sam Kim, the Korea-based American singer who helped write and compose the song. Lee Chan-hyuk, one half of the beloved Korean brother-sister duo AkMu, produced the song "HalliGalli." The Y2K-esque "Magic," featuring Julie from the up-and-coming K-Pop girl group Kiss of Life, is a standout track.
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| Twice STEVE GRANITZ/FILMMAGIC |
"I loved collaborating with other artists," says Nayeon, noting that Twice hasn’t done many outside collaborations as a group. "It was both unfamiliar, but at the same time, very exciting."
Nayeon has been touring consistently with Twice since 2022. The group most recently performed an encore of their fifth world tour at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas in March and has additional shows scheduled for Japan in July. Nayeon says she's no stranger to the balancing act of touring and creating new music.
"I'm pretty used to it by now, working on an album while touring, so I just had a lot of fun," she grins, adding that her group mates have heard and liked "Na." "I regard my solo work as an extension of being a member of Twice."
In October, Twice will celebrate its ninth anniversary, a significant achievement in K-Pop where artists often release multiple albums a year and have busy promotion schedules, including appearances on weekly music shows.
"I’ve learned a lot about how to be considerate of others, voice my opinions, and listen to others," Nayeon reflects on her near decade-long career. "With many members in our group, I also learned a great deal of responsibility."
When asked for advice for younger performers, Nayeon modestly downplays her role. "There are so many great new artists these days, and I learn a lot from them as well," she says. "There are so many different concepts of idols... so I don’t know if I’m in a position to give them advice."
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| Nayeon COURTESY OF JYP ENTERTAINMENT |
Nayeon did, however, offer some advice to those aspiring to pursue careers in K-Pop: "Really think about how much you want to devote to this profession and how much you love it and how much passion you have for this."
Looking ahead, Nayeon is positive and optimistic for the second half of the year, outlining her goals into distinct areas: performing well with her solo album, the upcoming Twice tour, and the group’s ninth-anniversary celebrations. She’s especially thrilled about performing live in front of Twice’s devoted fanbase, aptly named "Once": "I really want to create more wonderful memories with our fandom, Once."
