Yuqi Meshes Horror and Hilarity for First EP YUQ1
(G)I-DLE’s Yuqi made her solo debut in Korea on April 23 with her first EP YUQ1. This seven-track EP features five songs sung entirely in English, including the previously anticipated “Could It Be” and the title track “FREAK.” Yuqi contributed lyrics and/or composing credits to four of the tracks.
Tracklist:
“FREAK”
“My Way”
“Drink It Up”
“Red Rover”
“On Clap”
“Everytime”
“Could It Be”
The Pre-Release: “Could It Be”
First showcased during (G)I-DLE’s 2023 world tour I am FREE-TY, “Could It Be” officially released in the weeks leading up to YUQ1. The music video and digital single of “Could It Be” came out on April 5. Written and composed by Mike Elizondo and Mikky Ekko, this dreamy track sees Yuqi singing about falling in love.
The “Could It Be” music video shows Yuqi on a solo trip through Los Angeles. She basks in the sun, takes a drive around the sights, and documents everything on a camcorder and a camera. Despite its spring release, the music video’s summer feeling gives the right amount of warmth.
The Title Track: “FREAK”
Yuqi goes pop-rock with “FREAK.” Composed by Jop Pangemanan, Kyle Faulkner, Audun Agnar Guldbrandsen, Yuqi, and Siixk Jun, this song tells everybody to embrace their inner “freak.” With lyrics written by almost the same composing ensemble, barring Siixk Jun, Yuqi calls the subject of the song—left ambiguous to whether this person is herself or another woman—a “certified freak.” Though calling someone “a freak” usually leaves a negative connotation, Yuqi uses this term in an affirming, positive way.
The music video reflects this idea of people embracing traits usually seen as weird or outlandish. It draws on heavy inspiration from horror films, with the characters known for their spooky qualities now playing roles as Yuqi’s friends. Yuqi initially finds herself terrified after discovering characters from movies such as The Ring, The Shining, Scream, and SAW, but they end up forming a killer rock band.
Features on YUQ1: pH-1, Lexie Liu, and Minnie
YUQ1 includes three collaborations with other artists. “Drink It Up” features pH-1, who provides a rap verse in this song about living life in the moment. After Yuqi sings about wanting to make her own decisions, pH-1 gives comfort. He ends his verse with “You can count on me, I’ll never go I-DLE.”
“On Clap” features Chinese artist Lexie Liu. Liu’s work has crossed paths with (G)I-DLE previously. In 2021, she and Yuqi participated in the Chinese survival show Stage Boom. Though Liu has not specifically collaborated with (G)I-DLE, Liu has featured with them through K/DA. She provided the singing voice for Seraphine in K/DA’s “More,” which included Soyeon and Miyeon. “On Clap” contains the shortest runtime on YUQ1, clocking in at 1:58. Though brief, the duo’s cool synergy goes unmatched while the beat does “slap,” as the lyrics say.
The final collaboration, “Everytime,” features (G)I-DLE’s Minnie. Through this ballad, Yuqi and Minnie sing about being there for each other. The lyrics, written by Yuqi, BOYTOY, s’oom, Zun, and MUNA, discuss a sense of comfort that comes with leaning on a friend’s shoulder. “Going through a lot, but we still stand strong / The sound of your voice still leads me along,” some of the lyrics say. It acknowledges that life has its ups and downs, but surrounding oneself with support and love can make challenges all the more easier to deal with. Even when experiencing failure, tomorrow is a new day.