YUJU’s Collaborations With K-Hip-Hop Artists

Soloist and GFRIEND main vocalist YUJU joined K-Hip-Hop and R&B label AT AREA on March 12, leading to anticipation about her future music. YUJU has previously worked with hip-hop producers like Chancellor and Purple, and many of her songs feature artists from that field. Founded by hip-hop producers GroovyRoom, AT AREA also manages artists such as GEMINI, MIRANI, HyunA, and DAWN. 

The support from AT AREA will likely help YUJU continue working with K-Hip-Hop artists. She originally debuted solo in 2022 under KONNECT Entertainment, which closed down in June 2024 due to major stakeholder embezzlement. YUJU’s past collaborations offer some insight into what awaits her in this next chapter.  

“Spring is Gone by chance” With Loco

Her first and most known collaboration came out in April 2015, just three months after GFRIEND’s debut. YUJU and rapper Loco teamed up for “Spring Is Gone by chance” for the drama Girl Who Sees Smell. This romantic ballad about suddenly falling in love has retained popularity since its release a decade ago: “Spring is Gone by chance” won as the top OST at the 2015 MelOn Music Awards, and the song re-enters digital music charts during the appropriate season.

“Cold Winter (feat. Mad Clown)”

Yuju’s solo debut EP, [REC.], featured a collaboration with rapper Mad Clown. When YUJU originally wrote “Cold Winter (feat. Mad Clown)” six years ago, she always intended to collaborate with a rapper. She selected Mad Clown due to their past performance chemistry, she told NME in 2022. This R&B ballad describes difficult reflections of positive moments now gone. The lyrics entail feelings of loneliness, yearning, and acceptance. 

“Evening (feat. BIG Naughty)”

After experiencing a cold winter and enjoying the warmth of spring, YUJU depicted a summer romance in her duet with BIG Naughty. The jazz and R&B atmosphere of “Evening (feat. BIG Naughty)” perfectly represented the slow and shy steps of a newly-formed couple. BIG Naughty also cameoed in the single’s music video, where he and YUJU play lovers entering a budding relationship. He also joined her in the song’s Its Live! band performance. 

“Peach Blossom (feat. sokodomo)”   

YUJU’s second EP, O, featured rapper sokodomo on its fourth track in 2023. “Peach Blossom (feat. sokodomo)” describes a blossoming love like a “sprouting branch” that grows unpredictably. This retro song carries a playful nature, supported by the flute-like instrument in its sound. sokodomo appeared on music shows with YUJU to promote the song, which included some small flirty choreography. 

“No Way (feat. I’MIN)” With PATEKO

K-hip-hop producer PATEKO, YUJU, and Korean-American R&B singer I’MIN collaborated on “No Way,” released on November 12, 2023. YUJU and I’MIN sing from the perspective of two ex-lovers hoping to reconnect. They say there is “no way” they would ever forget about each other.* The single came as part of the COMPLIT project through Baund Beats, a platform offering “exclusive beats” for hip-hop and R&B musicians.

*Note: lyrics taken from the English captions in the official audio upload.