Singer YooA isn't 'Selfish' with her words on new EP

K-pop

Published: 14 Nov. 2022, 16:44

Singer YooA isn't 'Selfish' with her words on new EP

Singer YooA performs "Lay Low" during a showcase for her second EP “Selfish" at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District on Nov. 14. [WM ENTERTAINMENT]

Singer YooA of Oh My Girl is ready to get straight to the point when it comes to her second solo EP "Selfish," which dropped Monday.

“My new song ‘Selfish’ contains so many of the different colors I have,” YooA said during Monday’s showcase of the song at Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District. “My previous song ‘Bon Voyage’ had a very nature-themed concept, but this time I’m showing the chic city-girl side of me.”

The singer premiered the stage performances for the new lead track "Selfish” and B-side number “Lay Low.” With a catchy hook repeating “I want you bad,” the singer proclaims to a love interest, “If you’re unsure if you like me or not, just say it!”

Singer YooA poses during a showcase for her second EP “Selfish" at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District on Nov. 14. [WM ENTERTAINMENT]

Her solo debut song “Bon Voyage” in 2020 was a subdued and soothing number themed on a journey to find oneself. This time, YooA presents drastically different music — a more energetic dance number with a faster pace and stronger beat.

“Just like how I met the song ‘Bon Voyage,’ ‘Selfish’ came to me like fate,” she said. “I loved it and wanted to fit myself to the song. That doesn’t mean this is an end to my world view; the fictional universe from ‘Bon Voyage’ will still continue. I will leave traces of it in my dance and many other visual elements. If given the chance, I will come back with another nature-themed release in the future.”

“If I think of ‘Selfish’ as a continuation of my solo debut song ‘Bon Voyage’ [whose Korean title is 'Child of the Forest'], this time I’ve become a ‘child of the sea,’” YooA said, regarding the ocean-themed music video for “Selfish.”

Singer YooA performs the lead track "Selfish" during a showcase for her second EP of the same title at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District on Nov. 14. [WM ENTERTAINMENT]

“We filmed the videos for ‘Selfish’ and ‘Lay Low’ in Spain,” she said. “After I shouted ‘cut’ while filming this music video in Spain, all the tourists and locals started clapping for me. It was a tourist spot, so I was a bit shy that all these people were watching me, but so happy that they enjoyed it. Maybe the song will be loved in Spain too!”

The dance routine for “Selfish” was created by renowned choreographer Choi Young-joon, who is known for appearing on the recently-ended Mnet dance competition show “Street Man Fighter.” Dubbed the ‘father of Seventeen,’ he is well known for creating dance routines for numerous star K-pop acts, mainly boy band Seventeen, but also BTS, Twice and Wanna One.

“He told me, ‘If it’s you, YooA, I can trust you to do this dance well,” the singer said. “The routine is really rigorous.”

Singer YooA performs the lead track "Selfish" during a showcase for her second EP of the same title at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District on Nov. 14. [WM ENTERTAINMENT]

“Dropping a solo release is always scary and worrisome,” she continued. “But I really want to keep showing YooA the solo artist, not just YooA of girl group Oh My Girl. And I’m proud of myself for being able to do that. I want to tell myself that I worked so hard and am doing well."

YooA’s previous solo release two years ago ranked high on local music charts and also earned her No. 1 on SBS’s music program “The Show.” Naturally, expectations have been high for what she will drop as her sophomore work.

“It would be a lie to say I don’t feel pressure about how successful this EP will be. I am worried, but worrying doesn’t change anything. I try to tell myself, if I do my best and show everything I’ve got, my efforts will bring good results.”

“I want to do a “Selfish” challenge on social media with Seungkwan of boy band Seventeen,” she said, wrapping up the showcase. “He once covered my solo debut song “Bon Voyage” (2020), and he did it so well that I wondered if I have to hand over my song to him. It would be great for us to do a collaboration together.”

Singer YooA performs "Lay Low" during a showcase for her second EP “Selfish" at the Yes24 Live Hall in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District on Nov. 14. [WM ENTERTAINMENT]

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]