Since her debut as a LOONA member, Yves’s road to becoming a solo artist hasn’t been smooth. She’s faced noise from the outside, doubt from within, and moments where she felt completely lost. But instead of hiding those feelings, Yves decided to turn them into music — and now, she’s stepping forward with a clearer sense of who she is.
On August 7, Yves dropped her third EP Soft Error. The title comes from a term that means something looks fine on the outside but is actually broken inside. For Yves, it perfectly summed up the emotions she wanted to share.
“The dictionary meaning of ‘soft error’ is a temporary, non-permanent error,” she explained. “My first EP was about taking my first step, my second was about finding happiness. This album directly reveals my inner state during that process.”
Launching her solo career wasn’t easy. “When I started, I went through a lot of difficulties and worries. I didn’t want to hide them — I wanted to express them honestly, so I used ‘soft error’ to describe it,” she said.
There were times she felt completely directionless. “Even when I was deciding on a company, I kept hearing things like, ‘You need to do this to succeed,’ ‘Go in this direction,’ ‘You should be in a group,’ ‘Your music is non-mainstream.’ Those voices got mixed with my own thoughts, and it made me confused. But now, I’ve learned to accept that confusion. I’ve started to enjoy walking a path that isn’t fixed.”
The six-track EP explores different emotions, with each song offering a new challenge. For example, “AIBO” was inspired by a robot dog — a symbol of one-sided love. “It’s an upbeat track despite the theme,” Yves said. “I used my raw voice, scratching and flipping tones, to express that emotion.”
Soft Error also became a big step in defining her musical identity. Yves has consistently worked in electronic music and believes it’s the best fit for her. “Of course, I’d love for many people to love my music, but I also think it’s nice to introduce fans to something they haven’t heard before,” she said. “People say my voice suits ballads, but I think electronic music balances it out. My next album will probably have electronic tracks too.”
This release was even more special because she collaborated with artists she’s admired for years — including UK musician PinkPantheress. “When fans asked me who I wanted to work with, I said PinkPantheress. Some fans even told her directly, and that’s how we became aware of each other. It happened thanks to them,” she said with gratitude. Mexican indie-pop artist Bratty also appears on the album.
Yves, who debuted with LOONA in 2017, celebrated her first solo anniversary last May. “When I first debuted, I just had fun without thinking much. But later, I realized what I wanted to do was different. Doing solo activities helped me understand myself better,” she reflected.
Her motto is simple: “Do it without regrets.” She admits that her choices are often instinctive, but she stands by every one of them. “There’s so much I want to do right now, so I want to show more,” she said.
After finishing a successful solo world tour in Europe, North America, and Latin America, Yves is set to start her first Asia & Australia tour, YVES 2025 COSMIC CRISPY TOUR in ASIA & AUSTRALIA, on August 17 in Osaka. She’ll visit nine cities — Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Manila, Bangkok, and Seoul.
“While touring, I learned how to present myself better on stage. This time, I’ll be performing the new songs too. Since the setlist is short, I’m preparing different cover songs for each country,” she shared.
She’s also hoping to hold a big concert in Korea soon. “I feel sorry for my Korean fans because they’ve been waiting. I want to repay them with something amazing — hopefully at the Gymnastics Arena,” she said.
Source (1)
