Jo Yuri Returns to the Music Industry with “Farewell for now!”
Photo: JO YURI Official X
Shortly after finishing her breakout acting role on Squid Game, Jo Yuri has gone back to her roots with her new EP, Episode 25. She impressed audiences as Kim Junhee for two seasons on the internationally-acclaimed show and is now back to K-Pop, where she got her start in the entertainment industry. Released on July 14, Episode 25 is Yuri’s first EP in almost two years: she came out with her last EP, LOVE ALL, on August 9, 2023. Episode 25 includes the double title tracks “Farewell for now!” and “Growls and Purrs” alongside three new B-sides.
TRACKLIST:
“Farewell for now!”
“Growls and Purrs”
“HICCUP”
“Going Under”
“Overkill”
“Growls and Purrs”
“Growls and Purrs” sounds like a dreamy, gentle song perfect for cuddling with pets. Co-written by Yuri and producer Cloud (구름), its lyrics talk about feelings that can seem cold to loved ones. “When I suddenly say I need to be alone and disappear without a word / It’s not because I don’t want you near / Sometimes my hands are like a cat’s,” the chorus says, comparing the speaker’s own nature to the sometimes cuddly, sometimes withdrawn attitude of cats. Though the song was first unveiled in April at Jo Yuri’s 2025 fan concert, also called Episode 25, the official release comes with a cute video.
Yuri shows her playful side in the “VHS Diary” released with the audio of “Growls and Purrs.” She mimics the actions of a cat by curiously looking at miscellaneous objects, following a laser pointer, and swatting away a feather cat toy. Yuri uses playful images for a gloomy song again in her other title track, “Farewell for now!”
“Farewell for now!”
“Farewell for now!” is a cheerful song with a bittersweet meaning. Like “Growls and Purrs,” Yuri also participated in the lyric-writing process for this song. The pop rock instrumental masks the feeling of letting go of a love that lost its spark. Though that love has faded, the love that Yuri puts into her singing has not. “Farewell for now!” uses a new sound that Yuri has no problem adjusting to. The music video depicts memories of Yuri and a male actor, starring as her lover, on past dates.
Check out the rest of Episode 25 for more new music from Yuri. She will also be promoting the EP on music shows, starting with M!COUNTDOWN on Thursday. While her appearance on Squid Game undoubtedly gave Yuri a global presence, I hope that does not mean a farewell to her music career. With success in both industries, Jo Yuri continues to be a star.
Edited by Bryn Claybourne