DAYOUNG

After close to a decade with the globally adored girl group WJSN, DAYOUNG has reached the point where her instincts told her it was time to step forward on her own. Her first solo project, gonna love me, right?, doesn’t try to reinvent her from scratch – instead, it pulls together instincts she’s always carried and gives them their own shape. Three songs, all in English, sketch out her world with a mix of confidence, humour, and vulnerability.

In conversation with KPOPWORLD, DAYOUNG frames her journey through three defining words: confident, love, and passionate. That lens runs across the record, from the heat and physicality of the summery “body” to the ambition-fuelled punk-pop grit of “number one rockstar” and the cheeky charm of “marry me.” Each track is a statement in its own right, but together they form a self-portrait of an artist determined to own her voice, her choices, and her rhythm.

She talks about “body” as something that bypasses words and moves straight into feeling, and it’s easy to see how that approach guided the whole project. The single-take video shot in LA, the choice to sing entirely in a second language – these aren’t cautious moves, but instinctive ones. The result is a record closer to a snapshot of her momentum than a neatly packaged introduction.

As she tells it, going solo isn’t about leaving WJSN behind but about carrying its lessons forward into a different shape. The experience of years on stage with the top-selling group gave her the grounding to imagine how her own songs could take shape in a live setting, but the drive now comes from within: a hunger to prove, to connect, and to show audiences that she has what it takes to stand alone.

gonna love me, right? is your first solo album. How would you describe “Solo DAYOUNG” in three words?

I would say confident, love, and passionate. Right now, I have the belief and confidence that I can do well with my first solo album. As a solo artist, I really want to be loved and connect with people. And I poured all my passion into preparing this project, so I think those three words represent me best.

Which track on the album best represents your current mindset, and why?

I would say “number one rockstar.” There’s a lyric that goes, “If I’m gonna do the work, then I might as well be first, turning lemons into limelight,” and I really feel that way. Since I’ve started this journey, I want to do it well and become everyone’s number one rockstar.

The title track “body” emphasizes instinct and emotion over words. How do you connect with that idea personally?

I’ve always trusted my instincts. Even deciding to go solo came from my instinct telling me, “the time is now.” That’s also why I chose to film the “body” music video in one take — no flashy effects, just showing my pure energy and emotions. This song really highlights my instinct and feelings.

Writing and co-producing were a big part of this album. Did any lyric or melody surprise you while you were creating it?

Yes, many times. Sometimes a melody or lyric just came out unexpectedly, and it felt like I was discovering a new side of myself. Hearing my lyrics in the final recording was beyond words — it gave me so much pride, confidence, and courage.

“marry me” has a playful, confident energy. What inspired that approach, and how does it reflect your personality outside of music?

With “marry me,” I wanted to create a song that people could easily relate to and enjoy together. I also hoped it could give strength to anyone hurt in a toxic relationship — to let go and move forward with more confidence. Outside of music, it also reflects my fun and quirky side.

All three songs are in English. How did performing in English challenge or inspire you to tell the story of this solo debut differently?

Korean and English are so different in word order and pronunciation, so at first it wasn’t easy. But I love learning languages, so I wanted to take on that challenge. Singing in English also lets me share my story directly with more people. Instead of focusing on language limits, I concentrated on the emotions, which made my expression feel more honest.

This project was filmed in LA and carries an international feel. Did being in LA bring out aspects of your personality or creativity you hadn’t shown before?

Filming in LA gave me so much fresh energy. For the “body” music video, we shot at a big house with a huge pool — and later I found out it was the same house used in Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” video! That was so exciting. The free and open vibe of LA really brought out a more natural and playful side of me.

Looking back at your journey with WJSN, what lesson from those years did you bring into this solo debut?

Through WJSN, I was able to experience so many different stages. That helped me imagine how my songs would sound and feel on stage while creating this album. I learned how to connect with an audience and make a performance more dynamic. Those experiences gave me the strength to stand on my own as a solo artist now.

What’s one moment during production, recording, or filming that made you feel, “Yes — this is exactly what I want to say as a solo artist”?

It was when I was recording “number one rockstar.” I sang the lyrics with so much sincerity because it truly felt like my story. In that moment, I thought, “This is me. This is exactly what I want to say as DAYOUNG the solo artist.”

Beyond the music, what do you hope fans take away from gonna love me, right? about you as a person and an artist?

Above all, I hope they feel my passion and honesty. I was deeply involved in this project and paid attention to even the smallest details. This album shows both my strong and soft sides, different parts of who I am. I hope fans can feel closer to me — not only as an artist, but also as a person.