Nayeon Releases New Summer Bop With ‘Pop!’

On June 24, Nayeon, the first member of TWICE to go solo, debuted her first EP IM NAYEON. This stellar EP quickly gained traction among K-pop fans. It consists of seven songs, “NO PROBLEM (feat. Felix of Stray Kids),” “LOVE COUNTDOWN (Feat. Wonstein),” CANDYFLOSS,” “ALL OR NOTHING,” “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,” “SUNSET,” and “POP!” This no-skip EP is perfect for the summertime, with an overflowing abundance of bubbly and refreshing tracks for every occasion. 

Nayeon’s solo debut, IM NAYEON, was announced on May 18. Almost five weeks later, fans were finally blessed with her first EP. The EP’s title is a witty play on words which represents both her full name and her long-awaited rebirth into the K-pop industry. She has always been known for her versatility and strong vocals, which are showcased through the EP. Not only does her EP suit the summer season, but it also represents Nayeon’s individual flavor.

i’m losing my mind pic.twitter.com/fYb9rLZ8fh

— nayeon pics (@imnayeonarchive) June 27, 2022

She stated confidently in an interview with Teen Vogue, “It’s a new beginning for both Nayeon and TWICE as well.” Nayeon has reached a new era in her nearly seven-year career as a Korean pop artist. The artist’s debut also leaves die-hard ONCEs (TWICE’S fanbase) wondering which other members will also begin solo careers.

im nayeon, we are so proud of you. you did great and you’re doing well 🤍@JYPETWICE pic.twitter.com/SFT8bgnIOG

— sar 🎈 (@jypesmyoui) June 29, 2022

Every single track in Nayeon’s debut EP is catchy, energetic, and upbeat which is symbolic of her personality for many K-pop fans. Her group, TWICE, has occasionally experimented with girl crush concepts, but Nayeon has finally fallen back into a bubblegum theme. Although bubblegum pop has been out-of-trend within the K-pop industry for years, many fans hope that this EP will bring back a new wave of bubblegum pop.

Biggest 2022 K-pop female album debut week on Spotify:

#1. #NAYEON — #IM_NAYEON (18.6M) 🆕🥳 *2 days left*
#2. Red Velvet — The ReVe Festival 2022 – Feel My Rhythm (18M)
#3. TAEYEON — INVU (14.2M)
#4. (G)I-DLE — I NEVER DIE (12.70M) pic.twitter.com/Ot6GzpnLG8

— TWICE ANALYTICS (@TWICEANALYTICS) June 29, 2022

Considering the success that her debut has seen only days after its initial release, Nayeon’s EP will leave a long-lasting impact on the K-pop world for years to come. She would not be where she is today without the support from her hoobae (younger) members Jeongyeon, Jihyo, Sana, Mina, Dahyun, Momo, Chaeyoung, and Tzuyu, and her many memories with TWICE. 

NAYEON’s “IM NAYEON” is set to debut at #7 with 55k units in Billboard 200! 🎉

This will be the highest entry for any Female K-Pop Soloist! #NAYEON #PopPopPop @JYPETWICE pic.twitter.com/ONoCQAA70K

— TWICE INTL (@twice_intl) June 29, 2022

Diving into the contents of her EP, “POP!” is an addicting summer bop that is destined to get many listeners up and dancing about. Everything about this track, from its easy-to-memorize choreography (which has already been covered on TikTok thousands of times) to the camp outfits and set design, is emblematic of what inspired Nayeon throughout the EP’s creation—the glitz and glamour of second-generation K-pop stars. Major second-gen superstars like Girls Generation, Miss A, and Sistar would be proud of Nayeon’s modern-day rendition of that era, a debut into which she poured her blood, sweat, and tears.

Nayeon worked alongside many of the music industry’s most famous including Felix of Stray Kids, Destiny Rogers, Kenzie, Jade Thirlwall of Little Mix, LDN Noise, and many others. These artists aided her throughout the writing and production processes to make her debut an unforgettable masterpiece.

Although the creation of IM NAYEON was a difficult process, Nayeon stated that her love for music enabled her to get her through the tough times: “To be honest, up until now the road in songwriting has not always been a happy one. 30% of it was happy and fun but 70% was about facing my limitations which was kind of stressful in some situations. But I keep holding on to that 30% to try to find my way through songwriting and to express myself more.” 

Nayeon is currently promoting on nearly all Korean platforms including music shows, Studio Choom, and reality TV programs. At Glitter, we are proud of Nayeon’s musical growth and accomplishments. Don’t forget to follow Nayeon’s Instagram and TWICE’s Twitter accounts to support her solo debut journey. Check out Nayeon’s YouTube special Who am I? IM NAYEON for more insight on the making of her album below.