HATE XX

INTRO

An all-round entertainer excelling in dance, vocals, and variety shows, “Gen Z icon” YENA (Choi Yena) returns with her second single album HATE XX after approximately five months. Following Love War, where she showcased deeper emotional sensitivity and an expanded musical spectrum, YENA challenges herself once again—exploring a wide range of emotional expressions and genres to reveal her versatility as an artist.

The title track “Hate Rodrigo (Feat. Yuqi of (G)I-DLE)” captures the cute yet honest jealousy that comes from trying to deny feelings of admiration toward someone you can’t help but like—only to eventually admit them. YENA boldly and candidly expresses emotions everyone has felt at least once, but rarely says out loud: jealousy and admiration. With a story that resonates across generations and Y2K-inspired styling that sparks nostalgia, the track amplifies the charm of YENA as a true representative of Gen Z.

The B-side “WICKED,” which sings of a girl’s transformation after learning the difference between “good” and “evil,” highlights YENA’s more mature vocal tone. Inspired by the motif of the forbidden fruit, the song is brought to life through YENA’s dramatic, heaven-and-hell–themed performance, delivering its emotions and narrative with powerful impact. Showcasing YENA’s true all-rounder identity, the performance for “WICKED” is choreographed by legendary K-pop choreographer Choi Young-jun, drawing particular attention.

Adding to the album, “BAD HOBBY” reveals chilling emotions and a sense of “graduated anger” toward an unfaithful lover. With immersive lyrics that feel like a revenge drama, the track captures YENA’s further-evolved musical spectrum and emotional depth.

Through HATE XX, YENA expresses honest and dynamic emotional shifts with her signature bright energy. As the Gen Z icon continues to grow, anticipation builds around whether this release will once again give birth to a new and unmistakable “YENA genre.”