[Exclusive] WJSN's Yoo Yeon-jung Eyes Solo Music After 10 Years in K-POP

Yoo Yeon-jung, a former member of I.O.I who now performs with WJSN and works as a musical theater actress, wants to try something new. After 10 years in the industry, she says she is ready to step out as a solo artist with music that reflects her own voice and words.

Yoo recently sat down with K-POPIT to talk about her run in the musical "Beethoven," WJSN's 10th anniversary activities, and what she wants to do next in music.

Asked about her future plans, Yoo went straight to solo music. "I've only ever done group music, so now I want to try working as a solo artist," she said. She has already been picturing what kind of song might suit her. "I've thought vaguely about a solo track that leans into powerful vocals and high notes, something I know I can show well," she said. "A song like that could really highlight the strengths of my voice."

She is also thinking about how her listening habits could shape her own music. "I listen to a lot of R&B and groove-based music in my daily life," she said. "I'm curious what kind of charm my voice could bring to that kind of song." Yoo added that she has not started writing yet. "I haven't tried making a song myself, but I hope I can eventually show a track that carries my own thoughts and my own words, while still playing to my strengths."

Yoo described her vocal color in detail. "I think my voice can feel powerful and solid, but also clear at the same time," she said.

She credits both her group work and her musical theater career for sharpening that sound. "In the group, I practiced a lot to make my part hit hard while still blending naturally with the other members' vocals," she said. Musical theater pushed her differently. "In musical theater, you have to send the vocals and the emotion all the way to the back of the house," she said. "I practiced a lot of controlling the size and density of my sound, adding force and pulling it back based on my natural voice. I think that carried over to the stage."

She is thinking about what is next as an actress, too. The roles she has played so far have felt similar, she said, and she wants to break that pattern. "I want to try a character that's completely different from the image I've shown so far. Something really dark, a villain, or a hidden schemer. If I can pull off a role like that, I might discover a new side of myself. I also want audiences to think, 'Oh, Yoo Yeon-jung can do this, too,' so that when a casting is announced, people get more excited about the project because I'm in it."

Looking back at her past parts, she sees a clear through-line. "I have a bright, energetic side, so maybe that's why the characters I've played have mostly been bright and pure," she said. "A lot of them were also the kind of characters who push through hardship and keep going."

Yoo wrapped the final performance of "Beethoven" on the 11th. Her spring was packed, with I.O.I's reunion activities overlapping with musical rehearsals. "The rehearsal period for 'Beethoven' was especially busy," she said. "I want to handle both singing and musical theater without any issues, but I only have one body, and that was hard." She said the show came together thanks to the people around her. "So many staff members looked out for me and helped me, and that's how we got it up safely. Once I was actually on stage, the time flew by. It still doesn't feel real that the run is over."

Even with the packed schedule, Yoo has her own way of recharging. "I spend all my energy when I'm out, and I charge back up at home," she said. "I like being alone, so on days off I'll spend the whole day at home with no plans, or I'll watch a movie with food I love and just give myself that time."

She describes herself as a strong introvert. "When I'm working as a singer or in a musical, I'm around a lot of people, so I try harder to get along with everyone," she said. "But the everyday Yoo Yeon-jung is the kind of person who likes riding in the car in silence, without even playing music."

Lately she has picked up a new routine. "Honestly, I don't really have hobbies, so I still think about how to spend my days off well," she said. "That's how I recently got into working out. When I'm exercising, I can stop thinking about everything else and just focus on myself. I like that."

She also talked about WJSN. Marking the group's 10th anniversary this year and getting back together with the members hit her in a specific way. "I thought everyone had grown up so much, but the moment we were all together again, everyone's younger self came right back out," she said. "When I'm with the members, I realize we've all stayed pretty much the same." At the same time, she said the growth is real. "We were filming live content and I could tell everyone had grown so much musically. It felt reassuring and it was fun."

Near the end of the interview, Yoo reflected on the year. "This year isn't over yet, but 2026 has been so full and busy, and the happiness and gratitude I've gotten from that has been huge," she said. "I'm so grateful I could cry. Next year, I want to run just as hard, in both musical theater and music."