Shin Yuna, a member of ITZY, has long been regarded as one of the standout visuals of K-pop’s fourth generation. Known for her striking proportions and consistent presence in global beauty rankings, the idol entered her solo debut with high expectations. However, the reality of her first individual release has proven far less impressive than anticipated.

On March 23, YUNA officially debuted as a soloist with her first mini album Ice Cream, featuring a title track of the same name. Despite strong attention surrounding her visuals and online buzz, the album recorded only 101,000 copies sold in its first week. This figure marks the lowest first-week sales for a female soloist in the history of JYP Entertainment, placing her below even her fellow member Hwang Yeji in terms of solo performance.

The disappointing physical sales were mirrored in digital performance. While Ice Cream initially showed promise by reaching No.1 on Bugs Chart shortly after release, the momentum quickly faded. Within two weeks, the track had completely dropped out of all major Korean music charts, signaling a sharp decline in public interest. Observers note that although the song carries a light, easy-listening melody, it lacks a defining hook or viral moment, making it difficult to sustain traction on short-form platforms.

The timing of YUNA’s debut further complicated the situation. Her promotions overlapped with a major comeback from BTS, a group known for its overwhelming dominance in both digital charts and fan voting. Facing such a strong competitor, YUNA was unable to secure any wins on weekly music shows, ultimately concluding her promotional cycle without a trophy.

Despite these setbacks, YUNA’s visual reputation remains largely unaffected. Since ITZY’s debut in 2019, she has consistently attracted attention for her physique and stage presence, often setting beauty trends among Gen 4 idols. Her nomination for TC Candler’s “100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2026” further reinforces her global recognition.

However, the gap between visual popularity and measurable success has become increasingly evident. ITZY, once known for hit songs such as Dalla Dalla, WANNABE, and ICY, has faced declining performance in recent years. Even the unexpected viral resurgence of That’s A No No failed to translate into tangible results for YUNA’s solo debut.

With her individual promotions concluded, attention now turns to ITZY’s upcoming full-group comeback scheduled for May. Industry watchers are closely observing whether the group can regain its momentum and reestablish its position in the competitive K-pop landscape, while YUNA’s solo debut remains a striking example of how even top-tier visuals cannot guarantee commercial success.