South Korean singer Yves admits she doesn’t know where to take her sound next, only because she has too many ideas written down in her notes. “I’m a person who has a very fickle taste that changes a lot, so I don’t know what kind of genre I’ll be doing in the future,” she tells Rolling Stone Philippines. “But when I’m doing band music or emotional songs, I feel like I can immerse myself well, so I want to work on that kind of music a lot. And there are a lot of concepts that I’ve written down in my notes.”
Yves was in Manila for her second solo concert, the third if you count girl group LOONA’s appearance at POPstival 2022. The show, held on Monday, November 9, is part of her Asia and Australia tour promoting Cute & Anxiety, an upcoming EPEPShort for extended play, a release longer than a single but shorter than a full album, usually three to six songs. EPs let emerging artists introduce their sound without aGo to EP Glossary and Yves’ second release this year after NAIL.
When asked what separates the two records, Yves says that while NAIL is more personal, she wants Cute & Anxiety to be less solipsistic. “For NAIL, I explored a lot of my inner self and talked mainly about the thoughts and emotions that I have. But for this EPEPShort for extended play, a release longer than a single but shorter than a full album, usually three to six songs. EPs let emerging artists introduce their sound without aGo to EP Glossary, I wanted it to be a turning point, to go further from my emotions, and melt the emotions and feelings that come from my relationships into each track,” she says.
“So I worked with these emotions, but I’m also curious about what the fans will feel when they listen to the music. I think it’s an EPEPShort for extended play, a release longer than a single but shorter than a full album, usually three to six songs. EPs let emerging artists introduce their sound without aGo to EP Glossary that’s completed through the fans.”
Ahead of her concert at the Filinvest Tent in Alabang, Yves dropped by Pocket in Makati, which hosted a temporary exhibit of the singer’s personal photographs and a message wall where fans had left handwritten notes for her. The notes range from a simple “Welcome back to Manila” or “Lesbians for Yves” to longer, heartfelt letters, some even written in Hangul.
“The music I do is very trendy, but I’m also an analog type of person,” Yves says when asked about the exhibit. “I write a lot, read a lot. And taking a photo by myself and sharing it with my fans shows that side of my artistry as well.”
Freedom in Flying Solo
On Monday evening, she treated the fans to a live performance of favorites like “Viola” and her remixRemixA new version of an existing song in which the producer changes its structure, tempo, or sound, sometimes adding new vocals. Remixes can bring a track to new audiences andGo to Remix Glossary of Filipino-American musician Underscores’ “Do It.”
The music she performed as part of LOONA isn’t so much a deviation from her current sound as it is a jumping-off point. There’s something inspired about the group’s collaboration with Grimes and the bright, bubblegum tendencies most apparent in fan favorites like “Why Not?” and “Girl Front.” As such, the electronic popPopShort for popular music, a broad genre built on catchy melodies, clear hooks, and polished production that aims to reach a wide audience. Pop constantly borrows from other styles, andGo to Pop Glossary textures in Yves’ debut single “LOOP” and her latest release, “Adam,” feel more like a natural progression for the singer.
Having spent five years with the group, from their debut in 2018 to the termination of their contracts in 2023, Yves says she’s learned to communicate with her label better. “I didn’t have the trainee life and I debuted right away, but I was given the task of being a leader, so I had to take care of the members,” she says. “I gathered opinions and practiced a lot to give the best answer to the company. When I talked to the company, I made PowerPoint presentations and sent it to them.”
Communication is also important for any aspiring young artist looking to sign with a big label. “It’s a little difficult to talk about the overall K-pop system,” she says. “I signed a contract without being able to talk to the company in more detail. We had some friction during our activities, and some upsetting things happened. [Now], if I’m upset or have personal concerns, I always talk to the label.”
Back in Pocket, Yves puts Justin Bieber’s SWAG on the turntable. She mentions offhandedly that she loves R&B. But like much of today’s popPopShort for popular music, a broad genre built on catchy melodies, clear hooks, and polished production that aims to reach a wide audience. Pop constantly borrows from other styles, andGo to Pop Glossary music, her solo work is characterized by elements of electronic and dance. Working with her current record label, Korean DJ MILLIC’s PAIX PER MIL, has allowed her to explore and experiment more, she says.
“In the past, I only wanted to listen to my favorite genre, and I wanted to be successful only with my favorite genre. But when I went solo, the label [allowed me to] step into new genres. That’s one of the things I’m grateful for in going solo.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Yves has done a total of three shows in the Philippines, her first as part of LOONA at POPstival in October 2022. Yves has also done two solo concerts: the Cosmic Crispy Tour in Taguig City in September 2025 and the Yves Tour in Muntinlupa City in November 2026.
Yves has a total of 5 EPs: LOOP, I Did, Soft Error, NAIL, and the upcoming Cute & Anxiety.
Yves’ exclusive contract with BlockBerry Creative was terminated in 2023 after a legal dispute between the label and members of LOONA.
The photo exhibit and message wall promoting Cute & Anxiety at Pocket ran from October 23 to November 9.
Cute & Anxiety is set for release on November 20 and marks her second EP to come out in 2026, after NAIL was released in April.
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