[TF Focus] NAYEON, Another Possibility to Prove at the Turning Point of TWICE

20th, new single 'NA-sty' released... What's next after 'POP!' and 'ABCD'?TWICE NAYEON will release their new single album 'NA-sty' on the 20th. This marks their solo comeback approximately 2 years and 5 months after their second mini-album 'NA' in June 2024. /THE FACT DB[THE FACT | Reporter Jeong Byeong-geun] Two summers have left Nayeon with conviction. In 2022, she showed what she does best with 'POP!', and in 2024, she proved her untapped potential with 'ABCD'. Now, she's changing the season and the color. Nayeon is preparing for a new leap as a solo artist.Girl group TWICE NAYEON will release their new single album 'NA-sty' on the 20th. This marks their solo comeback approximately 2 years and 5 months after their second mini-album 'NA' in June 2024. With the success of their previous two albums, expectations for the new release are high. Above all, this move by TWICE is even more significant as it marks an important turning point in their 11-year career.NAYEON was the first TWICE member to embark on solo activities with their first mini-album 'IM NAYEON' in June 2022. The title track 'POP!' is a song that harmonizes a cheerful rhythm, addictive melody, and Nayeon's signature bright and refreshing vocals. It effectively utilized the image of TWICE that had been built up, while also filling the stage entirely with her own charm.Nayeon, who turned familiarity into competitiveness, took a completely opposite approach with her second mini-album 'NA', released in June 2024. The title track 'ABCD' is a song that adds hip-hop elements to a sound reminiscent of early 2000s pop divas. Unlike the previous work, which emphasized bright and lovely energy, this album presents a strong and confident atmosphere. From vocals to performance, she has become more daring.The results of both albums were significant. Both 'IM NAYEON' and 'NA' ranked 7th on the US Billboard main album chart, 'Billboard 200'. Nayeon became the first K-pop female solo artist to have two consecutive albums in the top 10 of the chart. While the influence of the name TWICE cannot be ignored, the fact that she achieved consecutive successes with different musical attempts is important.Above all, Nayeon's strength lies in her ability to maintain her own color amidst change. Her clear tone, intuitive melody delivery, and expressions and gestures that enhance the mood of the song are her powerful weapons. In 'POP!', these strengths manifested as loveliness, and in 'ABCD', they expanded into confidence and charisma.This 'NA-sty' is an extension of that expansion. The album title combines 'Nayeon's style' and 'like me' with the English word 'nasty', which has a sly nuance. The title itself suggests an attitude of not staying within her existing image.The recently released concept photos capture attention with unique styling, including intense purple hair, a yellow dress, and exaggerated nail art. Retro digital devices and kitschy props add an unfamiliar and playful atmosphere to her existing bright and sophisticated image.With her first solo album, Nayeon showed who she is, and with her second album, she showed how far she can go. Now, for her third work, what's needed is not another transformation itself, but the confidence to complete any music and concept she encounters in her own style. The photo is a concept photo. /JYP EntertainmentWhat's particularly interesting is the worldview presented in this new release. The intro film features a strange story where an unknown woman appears on digital screens worldwide, and people become obsessed with her existence. This setting hints at the identity of the title track 'BABY ANGEL'. The combination of a bright and lovely image with a somewhat suspicious and strange atmosphere is impressive.While the previous two albums showed Nayeon's different charms, this one hints at the possibility of twisting and mixing those charms to create entirely different characters.An expansion of musical initiative is also something to look forward to. The new release includes a total of three songs: the title track 'BABY ANGEL', 'SHiVER', and 'BOY'. Among these, Nayeon participated in the writing and composition of 'SHiVER'. If she has proven her capabilities as an outstanding performer through her previous activities, now the focus is on how deeply she can embed the stories she wants to express in her music.This comeback also coincides with a turning point for TWICE. TWICE members all re-signed with JYP Entertainment in 2022. However, the situation is different for the second contract renewal this year. Jeongyeon has moved to a different agency, and Chaeyoung and Jihyo have established their own bases for activities. This is a new phase where group cohesion and individual members' independent endeavors coexist.Nayeon's future contract status is also undecided. While this solo album cannot be directly interpreted as a contract renewal, it is clearly an important opportunity to gauge what kind of music she will pursue and how she will grow as an artist. This is because the 11 years of experience accumulated as a member of TWICE and the potential proven as a solo artist NAYEON can serve as a basis for new choices.With her first solo album, Nayeon showed who she is, and with her second album, she showed how far she can go. Now, for her third work, what's needed is not another transformation itself, but the confidence to complete any music and concept she encounters in her own style. 'NA-sty' can be another milestone that makes us look forward to her next move.kafka@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]