Tag: Yena

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Choi Yena Enjoys Chart Success in Japan

Yena

Choi Yena, also known as YENA, recently made headlines with her impressive performance on global music charts, particularly in Japan. Her second Japanese single album, DNA, climbed to No. 7 in the Oricon Weekly Single Ranking for the week of February 5 to 11, 2024. This achievement underscores her rising popularity and the enthusiastic reception of her music by Japanese audiences.

Moreover, DNA has shown robust global appeal, securing the top spot in the US J-pop ranking on iTunes as of February 8. It also garnered notable positions in Russia (No. 12) and Turkey (No. 25) in the J-pop rankings. These accomplishments highlight Yena’s expanding influence across various music markets worldwide.

The title track “DNA” resonates with listeners through its heartfelt lyrics, which reflect Yena‘s sincere appreciation for her fans and her unwavering determination on stage. Upon its release, “DNA” entered the Oricon Daily Single Ranking at No. 9, receiving a steady flow of positive feedback from fans and critics alike.

YENA「DNA」Music Video

Yena is poised to continue captivating fans

This isn’t Yena’s first time at the top of the charts. She previously achieved top ranks in the Oricon Daily and Weekly Single Rankings, as well as the Billboard Japan Top Single Sales chart with her first Japanese single “SMILEY-Japanese Ver. (feat. Chanmina)” last year. These successes have cemented Yena‘s status as a significant figure in the global music scene, continually attracting attention and setting records with her releases.

 

After wrapping up promotions for her third mini-album, GOOD MORNING, in Korea, Yena released DNA on February 5, further solidifying her presence in the music industry. Before embarking on her solo career, Yena was part of the project girl group IZ*ONE. They promoted together for two and a half years before disbanding in April 2021. Like her, the other members of the group have gone on to achieve success after IZ*ONE.

With plans to engage in various activities in the future, Yena is poised to continue captivating fans around the world with her talent and charisma. – K-Pop News Writer

Featured Image: Yena parlayed her IZ*ONE fame into a successful solo career. Source: X/@YENA_INTL.

Categories
KPOP ALBUMS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Look: Yena Drops Teasers for ‘Good Morning’

Yena poses for her EP 'Good Morning.' Credit: Twitter/Yena

Yena is welcoming 2024 with new music! On December 22, Yuehua Entertainment officially announced that the singer will be releasing a new album on January 15.

On her social media platforms, Yena first teased the fans with a mysterious “Coming Soon” poster with only the details of the release date.

https://twitter.com/YENA_OFFICIAL/status/1737850414148767885

During the last week of December, the idol started rolling out teasers for her third mini-album titled Good Morning. In some of the photos, the singer is seen rocking long pink hair while posing in different settings. 

https://twitter.com/YENA_OFFICIAL/status/1740387131217023217

According to a Naver article, a representative from Yuehua Entertainment shared what to look forward to in the upcoming release. “Choi Yena will be active as a new ‘morning angel’ through this album. She will deliver a message of hope and comfort to music fans,” it read. 

Yena to return after controversy

Since participating in MNET’s famed survival program Produce 48, she made her debut as part of the project girl group IZ*ONE, after winning a spot in the show. After disbanding in April 2020, Yena made her solo debut in 2022. As a soloist, she has been known for her popular tracks “Smiley” and “Smartphone,” among many others.

However, things did not go out well for her most recent comeback. In June, the soloist received unfavorable remarks after releasing her second single album Hate XX with the title track “Hate Rodrigo.” Although it was highly-anticipated as the song featured Yuqi of (G)I-DLE, the track was put as the center of a controversy.

Having mixed reactions about the song’s meaning, netizens pointed out that the song directly referenced US pop star Olivia Rodrigo. Moreover, the idol was criticized for her “copycat” portrayal of the “Vampire” singer in the official music video.

In response, Yuehua Entertainment released an apology for causing confusion and concern. “We have discovered that the following music video might contain grounds that may have infringed trademark and portrait rights,” they said. They then put the original video on private, and reuploaded an edited version of the MV.

In addition, Yena explained that the song was intended to pay homage to Rorigo. Moreover, it was meant to express the “cute” jealousy she feels towards the admired singer. 

After the controversy, Yena took a break from her promotions in Korea. Recently, the singer focused on her Japanese debut with the release of the Japanese version of “Smiley” featuring Chanmina.

Now seven months later, she’ll be returning with Good Morning. 

Featured image: Yena poses for her EP ‘Good Morning.’ Credit: Twitter/Yena

Categories
K-POP ARTISTS KPOP NEWS LATEST STORIES

Yuehua Entertainment Belatedly Apologizes for Cutting Choi Ye Na’s ‘Hate XX’ Promotions Short

Choi Ye Na in the concept photos for her 'Hate XX' album. Credit: Twitter/YE NA

Yuehua Entertainment has formally issued an apology to fans of Choi Ye Na for abruptly ending the promotional activities for her HATE XX comeback. 

In late June, Choi Ye Na returned with her second single album Hate XX, with the song “Hate Rodrigo” as its title track. 

However, the song, which featured (G)I-DLE member Yuqi, was met with online backlash. Netizens speculated that the song was a diss track directed to American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo. 

https://twitter.com/YENA_OFFICIAL/status/1674671023416016898

 

Moreover, the music video even featured actual images of Rodrigo. It also included several references to some music videos of the American popstar. 

Additionally, fans also continued criticizing the song’s title and the similarities of the concept between the two releases. 

https://twitter.com/YENA_OFFICIAL/status/1668996717872832512

 

Following the criticisms, the music video for “Hate Rodrigo” was made private shortly after its release.

However, Yuehua Entertainment explained that it wasn’t removed because of a request from Rodrigo’s camp. According to the agency, they “discovered possible violations of trademark rights, portrait rights and copyright in the music video.” 

Homage gone wrong? 

For her part, Choi Ye Na has already explained that the song wasn’t an attack towards Rodrigo.

In fact, she said that it’s meant to pay tribute to the international star’s success. She added that the “hate” is a metaphor to her envy and admiration for Rodrigo’s career. 

Despite this, the track was still met with displeasure. 

Within a week of her promotions, Yuehua Entertainment announced that Ye Na canceled a broadcast appearance due to bad health. 

Since then, neither the artist or her agency has released a statement on her future activities and developments with the song.

Until August 5, when Yuehua Entertainment issued an apology. 

“We would like to bow our heads and apologize for not quickly informing the fans about our artist Choi Ye Na’s album promotions for her second single album HATE XX,” the agency said. 

The label continued that they accept the “fans’ rebuke.” They  promised that they’d try to “make more of an effort” to listen to the opinions of the supporters. 

Currently, Choi Ye Na is preparing for her Japanese debut on August 9. 

Choi Ye Na made her debut in 2018 through the project group IZ*ONE, after becoming one of the 12 winners in the audition program Produce 48. After IZ*ONE’s disbandment in April 2020, she made her solo debut in January 2021.

Featured image: Choi Ye Na in the concept photos for her ‘Hate XX’ album. Credit: Twitter/YE NA

Exit mobile version