Yves is no stranger to the stage, having first debuted seven years ago with the 12-member K-pop group known globally as LOONA. Leaving her hometown to chase her dreams—despite opposition from her mother—and later standing up alongside her group members in a groundbreaking lawsuit against their managing agency, Yves has proven her resilience time and again.

Now, after a year-long rest, she’s back as a solo artist with newfound clarity, sound, confidence, and peace, but this time, she’s playing alone.

We meet over Zoom, and the ceremoniously shy Ha Sooyoung—known on stage as Yves—greets me from behind a purple hoodie, soft-spoken and eyes smiling, we begin our chat.

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What’s something you discovered about yourself in 2024, and what do you hope to explore in 2025?

I’ve learned that I’m a bit braver than I thought. 2024 was the year I made my solo debut, and before that, I wasn’t in the best mental state. But I have way more confidence now. I pushed myself to get through it, and now I want to live that out in 2025.

I feel like confidence is so important when it comes to actualizing your goals. Where did you find it within yourself?

I think I had a lot of time to spend by myself after LOONA disbanded. Before that, I didn’t have time to really look at myself, see who I was at my core, and listen to what I wanted. There was a year between LOONA and my current projects where I was finally able to do just that. I stopped pushing myself to be everything—I rested, focused on my strengths, and built myself back up.

I’m also thankful because, during that time, my friends showered me with unconditional love.

Thinking about getting back to the core of who we are, what’s it like being in your 20s living in South Korea? What are some of your favorite things to do?

Hmm, my 20s… It’s interesting because my life as a performer, Yves, and my life as myself, Ha Sooyoung, are so different. As Yves, I don’t get to sleep much, and it’s hard to keep my motivation because everything moves so quickly. I rarely have the chance to pause and think about the present or what’s next.

But as Ha Sooyoung—my real name—I get to stop, observe, and find beauty in the details and be inspired. That’s why I like photography—because I can capture those moments and collect them as a history.

Honestly, sometimes it’s more fun than life as Yves.

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I also like photography and you’re right that you just have to pause and just see what’s around you. Taking a look around at the beauty of the little things is so important. I know many of us met you through LOONA, but I was curious where your interest in music and dance began?

I think it’s just in my blood. I used to sing and dance randomly all the time. When I think back, in kindergarten, I drew a picture of ‘My Dream’, and it was me holding a mic. Back then, though, my mom wasn’t super supportive of my wanting to be an artist, so I had to do it on my own.

I’m from Busan, another city in South Korea, but I moved to Seoul by myself to pursue my dream. I think, in the back of my head, I also wanted to prove to my mom that I really could do it. Eventually, I debuted in LOONA, and it was such a life-changing experience which led me to where I am now.

Coming out of LOONA and now performing as a solo artist, how did the group shape you as an artist?

When I first started, it was actually my first time having formal training as an artist which I still carry over today. Because of that inexperience, I was also a little bit timid so I had to learn how to be bold and I’m really grateful for that.

Of course, I was also shaped by the deep friendships I made with the other girls in the group. We really took care of each other which was something else I learned during that time– how to be there for others.

Is there a distinction from yourself as Yves in LOONA versus now as a solo artist?

I think it’s the same—at least in my mind. I see each stage, from my beginning to LOONA to now, as an extension of my artistic self. The biggest difference is my mindset. I definitely love myself more now, which means I can get through more as well.

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Definitely understand that. I love how you said, each stage is just an extension of yourself. We’re just constantly changing, evolving. Thinking along those lines, what kind of life do you want to live, even 30 years from now?

I want to be someone that lives beyond singular expression. I want to capture images, write, maybe even act. For me, it’s about sharing my experiences and truest emotions that spring from them. I hope that people will truly see me through the compilation of these sharings.

There’s true beauty in sharing who we are and connecting with others. So, so important. You’re also quite expressive with your fashion choices. What are you thinking when you’re getting ready? You even have the coolest nails.

It’s just as simple as, let’s say, I go to a museum and see a painting I like, I will then try to incorporate something from it into my fashion choices.

Can you talk to me about your most recent EP, ‘I Did’? What was the creative process behind the work? How did everything come together?

For this album, we were inspired by hyperpop, which is a genre I’d never done before. I saw it as another adventure for myself. I was a bit worried about what people would think, but the people around me gave me so much support that it helped remove those doubts.

Throughout the process, I almost wanted to flatter myself by going beyond my own expectations. I realised that I may not always meet them, but I can still be very proud of what I’ve created.

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You should collab with A.G. Cook one day! You’re currently touring North America for the first time as a solo artist. In America, everyone panicked when they thought TikTok was going to be banned, saying, “What am I going to do with all my time now?” So I’m curious—what’s something you can’t live without?

Instagram Reels.

Wait, no, seriously?

Yea, haha, Instagram Reels. I’ve been on it for like three hours today.

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