On March 23, Yuna officially made her solo debut after seven years of activities with ITZY. She released her first solo mini-album Ice Cream, marking a major turning point in her career. This also makes her the second member of the group, after Yeji, to go solo. The album includes four tracks, with the title song “Ice Cream” quickly gaining attention for its catchy melody and strong personal identity.
“Ice Cream” is a fast-paced, vibrant pop track with an energetic and youthful rhythm. The concept aligns perfectly with Yuna’s lively image, allowing the group’s youngest member to showcase her sweet vocal tone. Overall, the song balances a cool, confident vibe with a subtle sense of charm and allure.
Rather than relying on high notes, “Ice Cream” focuses on versatility in vocal delivery and rap. The lyrics promote self-confidence, portraying a girl who may appear sweet on the outside but is sharp, independent, and captivating within. The track is seen as a clear statement of Yuna’s personal color—bright, bold, and unapologetically confident.
Shortly after release, the song received strong feedback from listeners. Many praised its easy-to-listen rhythm and how well it suits her voice. However, some noted that the lack of explosive high notes made the song slightly less impactful. Despite this, “Ice Cream” made an impressive debut by reaching No.1 on Korea’s Bugs real-time chart, even surpassing global powerhouse BTS a highly encouraging sign for her solo launch.
Looking back, Yuna (born Shin Yuna) first gained attention when she appeared in a BTS teaser alongside Jungkook before her official debut. In 2019, she debuted with ITZY as the lead rapper, sub-vocalist, and youngest member. Known for her bright visuals, she has consistently ranked among the top visuals of fourth-generation K-pop idols.
One of her most talked-about moments came during her cover of “U-Go-Girl” at the 2022 KBS Song Festival, where her hourglass figure earned her nicknames like “body queen” and the idol with “unreal hips.” More recently, in January 2026, she expanded into acting with the role of Hong Jang-mi in the tvN drama “Undercover Miss Hong,” starring alongside Park Shin Hye.
As for ITZY, the group initially rose to fame with powerful performances and messages of self-love, sweeping rookie awards and delivering hits like “Dalla Dalla,” “ICY,” “Not Shy,” and the mega-hit “WANNABE,” known for its iconic shoulder dance.
However, the group experienced a slowdown following the album Crazy in Love. Frequent concept changes and unclear musical direction, along with less effective promotional strategies from JYP Entertainment, led to declining chart performance. Their absence from major domestic charts significantly impacted their standing, especially amid the rapid rise of fifth-generation groups.
Recently, however, things have started to shift. ITZY saw a surprising resurgence on domestic charts thanks to the viral popularity of “That’s A No No.” The track gained traction on social media after the group’s captivating concert performance, sparking a dance cover trend on TikTok. Remarkably, the song climbed back up the charts six years after its release.
With ITZY regaining momentum and Yuna’s solo debut off to a strong start, fans are hopeful that she will continue to achieve new milestones and help propel the group back to the top of the K-pop scene.
Sources: K14
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