Yves, a South Korean singer and producer, has always been known for her musical versatility. She debuted as a solo artist on May 29, 2024, with her first extended play, LOOP. And later this year, she followed up with her second EP, I [Did].

Yves first caught attention as a member of the girl group Loona and its sub-unit Loona yyxy. Apart from music, she expanded her career by co-hosting the variety show Fact iN Star in 2020. 

Yves also contributed to the original soundtrack for Missing Crown Prince with the song Breath before releasing her debut EP LOOP. Her solo work, characterised by its originality and emotions, continued to flourish with the release of the single Tik Tok and the EP I [Did], further proving that she is capable of working as a soloist and on her own terms.

Currently promoting her latest EP, Yves is also gearing up for her first solo tour, YVES APPLE CINNAMON CRUNCH TOUR, which includes a stop in London on December 9th. Ahead of her travels, we caught up with her to discuss the creative process behind I [Did] and LOOP. Yves also shared her thoughts on the tour and what she likes to do in her free time.

View of the Arts: We would appreciate it if you could walk us through the creative process behind your second EP, I[DID], which was released on November 14, and share more about the meaning behind the title.

Yves: The second EP, I[DID], is an album that conveys the emotions I encountered while finding my sense of peace as an artist through different genres. This release holds special meaning for me because, following LOOP, it allowed me to share my honest stories and confidently present myself to fans and the public.

VOA: Like your first EP, LOOP, I found your second EP impressively diverse in terms of musicality. Tracks like Hashtag, Gone Girl, Tik Tok, and Viola are superbly arranged both musically and vocally, creating such an engaging experience. I truly enjoyed each track, but Gone Girl especially stayed with me. Could you tell me more about the lyricism and your collaboration with the producers on this song? What were some of the creative directions or themes you explored?

Yves: While working on Gone Girl, IOAH suggested, “Sing as if you’re drained of energy, like someone who has no strength.” So, I made an effort to sing in a way that felt conversational. If you listen to the song, the verse has a clean, unembellished quality – that’s the intentional result of this approach. Also, do you know there’s a group singing section in the chorus? A fun memory from the recording process is that IOAH, another director, and I all did the group singing together.

VOA: I’m also curious about the genre you selected for this EP. Was there something specific that drew you to it? Your voice pairs beautifully with this style – did you take any particular approaches in your vocal performance to enhance the overall tone and feel of the songs?

Yves: For this album, I recorded intending to make the lyrics stand out more than the sound itself. Each song was recorded in various tones, which I think is a fun and unique aspect of the album. Specifically, for the title track Viola, a hyper-pop song, I avoided excessive vocal techniques as they could detract from the genre’s unique charm. Instead, I focused on creating a flat, distinct tone to give it a more cyber-like vibe.

VOA: I’d love to revisit your first EP, LOOP. It’s a diverse release, so I’d like to chat a little about each song. The title track LOOP has a stylish and musically intriguing sound. Can you tell us about the creative process behind this track and how your transition to a new label influenced its composition?

Yves: The most significant considerations for both the label and me were including my story and embracing change. Genre-wise, we incorporated house elements, which aren’t often used in K-pop. Both the music video and the lyrics reflect my true story. I think these pursuits influenced the genre selection and the development of the song’s character.

VOA: In LOOP, you collaborated with rapper Lil Cherry, whose fiery verses contrast beautifully with your vocals. How did that collaboration come about, and what was it like working together?

Yves: When I heard that Lil Cherry would be contributing her vocals, I was thrilled! I didn’t get to witness the recording process firsthand, but when I listened to her parts, I realised how much her unique rap enriched the song. It created what felt like a “killing part,” and I was so grateful. I also had the chance to shoot a performance video with her, which allowed us to become closer personally – it was a great experience.

VOA: The EP opens with DIORAMA, a beautiful song that exudes a gentle R&B vibe. Can you share your experience collaborating with the producers on this track? When you were in the studio, did you have a specific emotional delivery in mind for it?

Yves: As this was my first solo challenge, it was also my first time solely handling the chorus and harmonies. DIORAMA, in particular, has a lot of harmonies. I remember how IOAH would encourage me by saying, “That’s good! Let’s do that again,” whenever I improvised, which eventually led to layering more harmonies. While it felt like I was getting lost in the harmonies, I think the atmosphere they created turned out beautifully in the end.

VOA: Afterglow features a great pop-rock arrangement. What was your experience like recording this song? As you reflect on your first EP, which genre do you feel suits you best personally? While your voice adapts beautifully to any style, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Yves: When I first received Afterglow, I didn’t know the meaning of the word. My label’s CEO asked me what impression the song left, and I said it felt like standing during sunset. That’s when I learned Afterglow refers to that exact moment. So, I tried to channel the emotion of the title while recording. While it’s a pop-rock track, it’s not about projecting the sound forward but rather letting it flow with a poignant quality, which I found enjoyable. Among all the tracks, I feel DIORAMA especially complements my voice well and was also a joy to work on.

VOA: You’re about to embark on your first solo European tour, the 2024 YVES APPLE CINNAMON CRUNCH TOUR. That must bring a mix of excitement and nerves! While you have extensive performance experience, stepping into the role of a soloist presents its challenges. What thoughts and feelings are you grappling with as the tour approaches?

Yves: As this is my first solo tour, I’m both excited and nervous, wondering how fans will react.

VOA: After years of being part of a group, stepping into the role of a soloist brings a new dynamic to making and performing music. How much of your experience with your former group has influenced or shaped your approach as a solo artist?

Yves: As a group member, I often showed a “girl crush” charm on stage. This made me curious about how I would appear in a different light. Exploring that curiosity has been a lot of fun in my solo work. I’m also grateful for my group members’ constant support, which gives me confidence, even in unfamiliar situations.

VOA: What can your fans expect from your solo tour? Any surprises on the menu?

Yves: I’ve prepared choreography for a track other than the title song! It will be revealed for the first time during the tour, so please look forward to seeing what it is and how it will be performed.

VOA: When you’re not working on music, what do you do to relax and get away from it all?

Yves: I just stay in bed and do nothing. If I feel sleepy, I sleep. If I don’t, I watch random videos on YouTube until I doze off again. That’s my way of truly resting.

VOA: Apart from preparing for the tour, are there any other projects in the pipeline?

Yves: For now, I’m focusing entirely on the tour and want to complete it successfully. The tour is fairly long, so my personal goal is to work on completing a song during that time!

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of PAIX PER MIL

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}