YUJU Laments That “First Love Is a Curse”

Photo: YUJU Official X

First love is a curse, but YUJU has blessed 2026 with her first single of the year. Released on April 29, “First Love Is a Curse” continues YUJU’s experimentation with rock after her last comeback. Her In Bloom EP from August heavily implements this versatile genre and “First Love Is a Curse” uses it to capture an eternal memory. 

Despite the song describing “a love that was once unforgettable but never meant to last,” it chooses not to include belting notes filled with angst. “First Love Is a Curse” takes an approach where any ill will seems undetectable on its surface. The mellow rock instrumental comes through without any indication that any events went wrong.  

An instrumental can take any shape, but it is up to the singers to guide listeners through a song’s narrative with their voice. Songs can accomplish depth without necessarily needing a singer to push out high notes, such as Yuju’s 2022 B-side “The Killa,” which features delicate vocals laced with toxic intentions. The weakness of “First Love Is a Curse” happens where “The Killa” succeeds. The new single needs to dig deeper with intense emotions that mirror the connotations of its title. The tone in “First Love Is a Curse” sounds neutral, not one of conflict. Perhaps it intends to show a stage of acceptance after an unforgettable relationship cut short. 

Regardless, the music video for the track adds a little more complexity. Shot from the perspective of a past partner, the one who YUJU sings about leaving, the video goes back and forth between the memories of the relationship and the lonely present. Hopefully, “First Love Is A Curse” can gain longevity like the memories it contains.

Edited by Sandy Ou