ITZY’s Yeji has captivated K-pop fans with her solo track Air, successfully completing her first week of music show promotions as a solo artist.



On March 10, Yeji officially debuted as a solo artist with her first mini-album AIR and its title track Air. She kicked off her music show performances on M Countdown (Mnet) on March 13, followed by Music Bank (KBS 2TV) on March 14, Show! Music Core (MBC) on March 15, and Inkigayo (SBS) on March 16. With each stage, she showcased different hairstyles, an ethereal visual presence, and breathtaking performances, proving her star power as a soloist. Fans praised her performances, commenting, "She moves as freely as air on stage," "If ‘alluring’ could be visualized and heard, it would be Yeji," and "Her expressions show how effortlessly she commands the stage—it’s amazing."



ITZY members Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna made a surprise visit to her solo debut countdown live broadcast to show their support. Yeji also participated in the Air challenge with fellow JYP Entertainment artists, including J.Y. Park (JYP’s founder and producer), 2PM’s Wooyoung, TWICE’s Jihyo, and Stray Kids’ Hyunjin, highlighting their warm camaraderie. J.Y. Park even shared his admiration for Yeji on social media, writing, "Yeji has prepared for this album with sincerity, diligence, and humility. Since her trainee days until now, she has been an artist praised by everyone at the company."



Beyond her music show performances, Yeji has mesmerized fans with her unique movement and dance through various content releases. She showcased her exceptional skills on STUDIO CHOOM and it's Live, while the Air performance film on ITZY’s official YouTube channel left viewers in awe. Fans commented, "This is a performance only Yeji can pull off. Every time I watch, I'm left speechless," and "She moves like a black swan—so elegant and beautiful."



British media outlet NME also spotlighted Yeji’s solo debut, stating, "Yeji continues to grow as a performer. One of the most captivating performers in K-pop, Yeji has marked a new beginning with Air."



With her first mini-album AIR, Yeji is making bold strides as a solo artist, determined to solidify her position as a true all-rounder in the industry.


Written by Lee Seung Hun
Translated by Lee So Yun