SMiLEY

INTRO

A hot solo debut from YENA (Choi Yena)—an all-rounder who excels in performance, vocals, rap, and variety.
Going beyond standing on her own, YENA now reveals a more mature artistic side through her debut album, ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY).
Filled with YENA’s signature happiness energy, the debut title track “SMILEY” spreads the joyful power of a true “smile hero” to everyone.

After debuting in 2018 as a member of IZ*ONE and establishing herself as a versatile performer across vocals, rap, and stage performance, YENA finally makes her solo debut approximately eight months after the group’s disbandment. Through her first mini album ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY), YENA once again proves her all-rounder identity with confidence. Featuring a wide range of genres—including hip-hop, pop, rock, acoustic, R&B, dance, and more—the album showcases YENA’s kaleidoscopic vocal colors: heartfelt at times, refreshingly bright at others, and boldly confident throughout. Her rap skills further complete this album as a true distillation of YENA’s unique charm.

The title track “SMILEY,” overflowing with YENA’s unmistakable happiness energy, maximizes her appeal with a bright melody paired with lyrics that reflect her positive mindset—choosing to smile through even the toughest moments. The song’s uplifting spirit has the power to make everyone around her smile along. Adding to its special charm, the track also features a close friend, making the release even more meaningful. YENA’s stable vocals and dynamic performance confidently dispel any concerns about her transition to a solo artist, proving that she can fully command the stage on her own.

Beyond its musical appeal, ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY) carries deeper significance as it marks YENA’s growth as an artist. She participated in both composing and writing lyrics for “Before Anyone Else,” a song that reflects her genuine love and gratitude toward fans. Additionally, YENA is credited across much of the album—including the title track “SMILEY” and B-sides “LxxK 2 U” and “PRETTY BOYS”—further raising expectations for her artistic journey ahead.
With music and performances that only YENA can deliver, she now stands confidently as a solo artist, drawing the attention of K-POP fans around the world. Her first mini album ˣ‿ˣ (SMiLEY) fully lives up to the anticipation, packed with YENA’s signature happiness energy and irresistible charm.