[Edaily Reporter YUN GI BACK ] “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to surpass Producer Park Jin-young. Watching him up close, I’ve come to realize he’s truly someone I respect and admire. Haha.”
This was the response given by Chae-ryeong of the group ITZY when asked if she wanted to surpass Park Jin-young as a solo artist. She added with a laugh, “I wonder if I can live my life with that much dedication, but I’ll do my best (just like Producer Park Jin-young).”

At a press conference held on the 9th at the Pullman Ambassador Seoul Eastpol in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of her first solo mini-album “Lovesick,” Chae-ryeong shared her feelings and determination about taking the stage alone for the first time in 7 years and 9 months since her debut. As the third member of ITZY to launch a solo career, following Yeji and Yuna, she expressed her ambition to showcase her own unique musical tastes and performances that she hadn’t been able to display during her group activities.
Chaeryeong, who debuted with ITZY in 2019, has been beloved as a member known for her stable vocals, delicate dance moves, and exceptional sense of style. “I feel a little more at ease now than I did seven years ago, and my personal taste has become much clearer,” she said. “Since ITZY’s strength lies in our five distinct personalities, I put a lot of thought into showing a side of myself that stands out from the other members.”
The title track “Love Chic,” unveiled that day, blends a dreamy atmosphere with a charming appeal. It playfully expresses the excitement and confusion of falling into an unexpected romance. In the performance, Chae-ryeong’s signature fresh and fluid dance moves stood out. She maintained ITZY’s signature powerful movements while creating a captivating atmosphere with gestures like sweeping her hair back and tilting her head dramatically. The choreography team that worked on ITZY’s “THAT’S A NO NO” performance also contributed to the routine.
“When performing with ITZY, harmony and balance with the members are so important that there were times I had to hold back on my own dance lines or style,” Chae-ryeong said with a smile. “This time, I prepared with great excitement, tilting my head back and tossing my hair around to my heart’s content.” She added, “I tossed my hair back so much that I almost got a stiff neck.”

She also participated in creating the choreography herself. A prime example is the move where she points at her partner with her finger during the repeated “You and You” section of the song. She expressed her hope, saying, “I hope many people will intuitively enjoy the performance and join in.”
Another distinctive feature of this album is that, unlike during her group activities, Chae-ryeong was able to actively incorporate her own ideas. “With ITZY, the process of discussing and consolidating opinions with the members was important, but this time, I’ve included a lot of the music and choreography styles I personally like,” she said, urging fans to pay attention to the other tracks on the album as well.
She also took on new musical challenges. The album features four tracks, including the title track, “Moonlit Club,” “Scent,” and “Favorite Reason.” In particular, she participated in writing the lyrics for the final track to express her sincere feelings toward her fans. Chae-ryeong explained, “I wondered how I could convey my gratitude to fans in a more concrete way,” adding, “I incorporated the sentiment that ‘you are the very reason I came to believe in love’ into the lyrics.”
Incorporating a sweet and approachable vibe into her first solo track was also a strategic choice. Chae-ryeong said, “There are many sides I want to show as a solo artist, but I thought that to get a second chance, I needed to receive a lot of love right from the start,” adding, “I tried to capture the prettiest and most lovable side of myself at this age.” She then laughed and said, “I’ve also saved a little something for the next step. It would be a lie to say I wasn’t aiming for that.”

Chaeryeong’s unique charm is “approachable sexiness.” She revealed that she wanted to create her own distinct style by combining graceful dance moves and uplifting music with a touch of sass.
Her goals as a solo artist were also clear. “I want to leave the impression that I’m a talented artist even as a soloist,” she said, emphasizing, “My goal is to become an artist whose next moves people look forward to.” She also shared her ambition, stating, “I’d like to try my hand at self-producing in the future.”
She expressed her joy over winning five awards—combining her achievements with her group and as a solo artist—at the “2026 Korea Grand Music Awards” (2026 KGMA) held the previous day. When asked which award she would like to receive in the future, Chae-ryeong cited the Female Solo Artist category, saying, “It would be really great to receive an award that clearly shows to anyone who sees it that I’ve made a name for myself as a solo artist.”
Chaeryeong’s first solo album, “Love Seek,” will be released at 6 p.m. on the 9th.