i-dle's YUQI makes solo comeback with Chinese album capturing her 27th year

i-dle's YUQI will release her second mini album '二十七(27)' on the 8th. It has been 1 year and 1 month since she returned with a solo album. The album contains the worries and various aspects of YUQI at age 27. She expressed the worries held behind her bright image by comparing them to a sunflower, and sang about her determination to love herself no matter what she looks like. All 6 songs, including the title track 'Stay', involved YUQI's participation in songwriting and composition, and this album was prepared in Chinese. The music video for the pre-release track 'I Like You' has recorded rankings on Chinese and YouTube charts prior to the release.

Six songs containing the story of 27-year-old YUQI

According to Cube Entertainment, YUQI will release her 2nd mini album '二十七(27)' through domestic and international music sites at 1 PM on the 8th. The album title, which means twenty-seven in Chinese, puts YUQI's age at the forefront. YUQI contained the worries and inner emotions she faced at age 27 in the album. She expressed her bright image and the worries behind it by comparing them to a sunflower, and expressed the feeling that she is the protagonist no matter what. The message she intends to convey through the album is a determination to love herself as she is.

YUQI expressed her comeback feelings through her agency, saying, "I have been steadily preparing the album. I hope it becomes a gift to fans. Since I prepared it as a Chinese album to contain my story of being 27, it feels especially meaningful." This album consists of 6 songs, including the title track 'Stay' and '快乐', 'Chamomile Tea', 'I Like You', 'Feels Right', and '银河之舞'. YUQI participated in the lyrics and composition of all tracks. In an interview, YUQI told fans to please look closely at the lyrics of all the songs.

A message of youth contained in the title track 'Stay'

The title track 'Stay' contains the content of moving forward while chasing the light together with precious beings who have been with her, even if the future is uncertain and there are rules and walls set by the world. YUQI introduced this song as "the youth story of 27-year-old YUQI itself." She explained that she chose it as the title track with the meaning of running while looking at the sunlight like a sunflower, implying that tomorrow will be better. The lyrics of the song are composed of alternating between Chinese and English.

YUQI pointed out the meaning of the lyrics alternating between Chinese and English as the part she wanted people to pay attention to in the title track. The music video teaser released before the release captured YUQI being with precious people against a natural background, and included the lyrics 'You gotta stay with me'. The teaser was released on i-dle's official social media (SNS) on the 7th. In the album introduction, 'Stay' is described as a song about moving forward together with people who have stayed by one's side even when facing an uncertain future and the walls of reality. YUQI stated that she contained her 27th year and youth story in this song.

The first released 'I Like You' music video

Prior to the album release, YUQI released the music video for the track 'I Like You'. Cube Entertainment uploaded the video to i-dle's official YouTube channel on the 2nd. The music video begins with YUQI shedding tears on a bed. Afterwards, YUQI does delayed dishes and cleaning, and sings and dances throughout the house. At the end of the video, the lyric phrase '你尽情微笑起来 治愈了世界 So we can try', written in YUQI's handwriting against the sky, appears. This song is a self-composed track by YUQI containing the content of escaping from the gaze or evaluation of others and recognizing and loving one's own value.

Regarding the reason for releasing 'I Like You' first, YUQI explained that she thought it was the song that connected best with the album theme, and she personally liked it so she wanted to let fans hear it first. Immediately after its release, the music video rose to the top tier of the Chinese QQ Music music video comprehensive chart and recorded rankings on the YouTube daily popular music video chart. The YouTube rankings presented in the original text are as follows:

The original text reported that the 'I Like You' music video also entered charts in several countries such as Canada and Norway. It stated that not only the rankings immediately after release, but it is also maintaining the top tier on the Chinese QQ Music chart. Other reports stated that it also made names on overseas charts such as Malaysia, Sweden, Australia, and Russia. YUQI explained that this song connects with the album theme and is a song she personally likes, and said she wanted to let the fandom NEVERLAND hear it first.

Participation in songwriting and composition for all tracks... attempting a new genre

YUQI also participated in the songwriting and composition of all 6 songs in this album. The part she focused on during the work process was the lyrics. YUQI said, "I tried a genre that I haven't shown before. Although it is unskillful, I worked hard to include my story in the lyrics. Please make sure to look at the lyrics of all 6 songs." This explains that she attempted a new genre during this work and included her story of being 27 in the lyrics. She stated that the album was prepared in Chinese and that it is especially meaningful in that it contains her age and story.

Regarding the album theme, title track, and pre-release track, YUQI provided explanations of a message to love herself, a youth story of 27, and a song she wanted to let fans hear first, respectively. To the fans who have been waiting for her solo album, she said, "Since I contained my honest story of being 27, please love it a lot! Thank you always." YUQI will release '二十七(27)' on domestic and international music sites at 1 PM on the 8th. The 6 songs, including the title track 'Stay' and the pre-release track 'I Like You', will be released on this day.

Read the original (Korean)