[Dispatch = Intern Reporter Park Soo-yeon] "How can I overcome this tough time?"

For six years, Yeji has been running as a part of ITZY. But over time, she faced an inevitable slump due to the repetitive nature of her schedule.

"Even while preparing for ITZY's new album, I felt a bit of a rut," Yeji admitted. "Then, I got the news about my solo debut."

Going solo is a completely different experience—handling everything from start to finish on her own. It was a brand-new challenge for her, but she poured her heart into it, and in doing so, she naturally overcame her slump.

"I've always wanted and loved this career, and I've held onto that passion for a long time. Through this album, I was able to overcome challenges through my work, and I'm grateful for that. I'll never lose sight of my beginnings."

On March 10 at 2 PM, Yeji held a press conference at Sofitel Ambassador in Songpa-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of her first solo mini-album, 'Air'.

She described 'Air' as something that "found her like destiny." Last year, when she was struggling with a slump, this album reminded her of her initial passion.

She also put great effort into her vocals. "Filling an entire three-minute song with just my voice was a challenge," she said. "I recorded for over 10 hours and spent a lot of time studying my own voice."

Yeji hopes this song will show a new side of her. "I want people to listen and think, 'Wait, Yeji can sing like this? She can create this kind of vibe?'"

Her performance is also unique, filled with striking poses. "I wanted to express the feeling of being so immersed in dance that I lose control of my own feet," she explained.

The music video reinterprets 'The Red Shoes' in a modern way, perfectly complementing the song's concept. "JYP PD told me this was the first music video in nearly 10 years that didn't need any changes," she said with a smile.

She also experimented with a fresh visual concept. "'Air' gives off a blue-toned vibe, so I suggested using a blue bob wig for the MV, and they went with it," she shared.

Finally, she expressed her hopes for this release. "With this album, I want to show that Yeji is someone who truly loves the stage. I want to stand on bigger stages with skills that will satisfy the audience."

Yeji's 'Air' drops today at 6 PM.

Written by: Intern Reporter Park Soo-yeon (Dispatch)

Photos by: Reporter Song Hyo-jin (Dispatch)