After spending the past eight years as the beloved leader of K-pop juggernauts TWICE, Jihyo has carved out space to shine on her own terms with the release of her solo debut mini-album ‘Zone.’ The seven-track project sees Jihyo flexing her versatility and showcasing different sides of her artistry, a stark contrast from what fans have come to expect from her as part of the nine-member group.
This solo chapter comes after Jihyo and TWICE have cemented their status as global pop stars. In 2023 alone, TWICE received the Billboard Women in Music Breakthrough Award, lit up New York’s Empire State Building, and played sold-out shows across their fifth world tour. As the second TWICE member to strike out on her own, Jihyo drew from the experience and support of bandmate Nayeon’s solo debut earlier this year.
From the dance-infused breakup anthem “Killin’ Me Good” to the R&B collaborations “Talkin’ About It” featuring 24kGoldn and “I Don’t Wanna Go Back” with Heize, ‘Zone’ is a vocally driven journey through various emotions. Jihyo lent her distinctive smooth vocals and penned four of the tracks herself, including the moving ballad “Room” about bidding farewell to past memories. The album highlights Jihyo’s growth into a confident soloist eager to experiment with new genres and Stories.
Looking back, Jihyo has come a long way from her days as a trainee fighting for her TWICE spot on 2015’s Sixteen. After dedicating a decade of hard work to perfecting her craft, she’s now able to fully embrace creative freedom on ‘Zone.’ For the driven 26-year-old artist, this solo breakout is the next step in an emotional journey she began chronicling years ago. Although always appreciative of the bond she shares with her TWICE sisters, Jihyo is thrilled to make her mark individually and showcase uncharted sides of her multidimensional talents.
