In the ever-evolving landscape of K-pop, few artists embody resilience and reinvention as profoundly as YVES. The South Korean singer, known for her powerful vocals and captivating performances, has transformed her personal struggles into a testament of strength and vulnerability. Her latest album, NAILreleased on June 17, 2026, marks a significant milestone in her journey as a solo artist.
YVES, whose real name is Ha Sooyoung, has navigated the complexities of the Korean music industry with unwavering determination. Her experiences have not only shaped her artistry but also redefined her understanding of femininity and strength. In a recent interview with amNewYork Metro ahead of her performance at Palladium Times Square, YVES opened up about her creative inspirations, her upcoming tour YVES TOUR 2026: THE AMERICAS, and the journey that led to her newest album, NAIL.
Breaking Free and Rediscovering Herself
Formerly a member of the K-pop group LOONA, YVES was part of a collective that faced significant challenges. In 2026, the members of LOONA successfully terminated their contracts following allegations of mistreatment. This period marked a turning point for YVES, who took a year-long hiatus to rediscover herself beyond the confines of idol life. During this time, she focused on determining what kind of artist she wanted to become.
The support of her fans gave her the confidence to move forward. Through this period of self-discovery, YVES realized that she was tough as nails, while also reshaping her understanding of femininity. She explained that her view of femininity has definitely changed, even when she was in LOONA. She always worked hard to get away from the image of what people think a girl should be.
Redefining Femininity and Strength
YVES has come to realize that femininity doesn’t require fitting into a single definition. Strength and vulnerability can coexist. She discovered that girls can be honest and fragile, lost and sad while still being strong. Femininity is such a diverse spectrum. It doesn’t have to fit into one box.
This freedom of expression became the foundation of NAIL, an album YVES describes as her most honest work to date. It is a testament not only to the strength she has found but also to everything she has survived. With NAIL, she approached her music differently, focusing on revealing the fighter she had become and exploring her emotions more deeply.
The Concept Behind NAIL
The album’s title reflects YVES’ mindset. One of the songs began as a demo whose working title sounded similar to the Korean word naeil, meaning tomorrow. Inspired by the wordplay, she built a layered concept around the dual meaning. The phrase stop thinking about naeil can be interpreted in multiple ways. It can mean letting go of worries about tomorrow, but it can also reference a literal nail, something sharp, painful, and immediate.
YVES explained that if you get poked by a nail, all you can think about is that pain in that moment. She wanted to focus on being present right now instead of worrying about what’s next. This concept is evident in her performance of opening track HALO at Palladium Times Square, where she sat center stage beneath shifting hues of red, blue, and purple, evoking something deeply visceral.
Embracing Pain and Freedom
YVES believes that pain is something everyone understands. It doesn’t matter your gender, religion, or where you’re from. If you get hurt, everyone understands that feeling. This idea influenced not only the album’s themes but also her preparation for its release. Rather than obsessing over perfection, she focused on movement, performance, and emotion.
With NAIL, YVES really wanted to focus on sensations and feelings rather than just visuals. She wanted to feel free and be able to show that freedom through her body and her voice. This search for freedom extends throughout the album’s B-sides as well. Songs like Birth and IT explore intense themes such as rebirth and death, but YVES intentionally approaches them through a hopeful lens.
As she embarks on her second world tour as a solo artist, YVES says the people who continue to give her strength are the fans who have stood by her through every chapter of her career. Their unwavering support serves as a powerful reminder of how far she has come. YVES insists that her fans are her biggest inspiration, the reason she keeps doing music, and the reason she keeps living and breathing.
