From comebacks to debuted solo work, you can expect nothing less from the K-pop industry. For fans of (G)I-DLE, main vocalist Minnie has debuted her first-ever solo EP titled HER on January 21st, 2025. The EP consists of 7 songs, all written by the singer-songwriter alongside other talented writers and producers. You may even recognize a few names, such as Big Naughty, who was one of the writers for HER, as well as featured singers like bandmate YUQI and WAYV’s TEN.
A bit about Minnie, she is a member of the girl group (G)I-DLE under Cube Entertainment, which debuted in 2018. You may be familiar with hit songs such as "Queencard," "My Bag," or "Tomboy," just to name a few. The group consists of five members, and Minnie is a proud representative of talent from Thailand. She is the main vocalist, writer, and producer for the group.
A dive into the 7 tracks:
Blind Eyes Red
"Blind Eyes Red" is a slow-beat R&B pop track that showcases Minnie’s seductive vocals, allowing listeners to ease into the lyrics while soaking in her tone. There is a hint of autotune that isn't too heavy in her vocals but blends seamlessly into the echoing parts. The lyrics describe being in love with someone obsessively while overlooking their flaws—something listeners might relate to when captivated by someone they love.
HER
In contrast to the first track, "HER" is an upbeat pop song with rhythmic percussion and bass following Minnie’s voice. If you watch the music video, the imagery playfully shows how Minnie expresses her different personalities. Whether she’s in a pink dress, all dolled up, or a little dark and coy with attitude, the singer shares the message that "I’m her." Even if you see her in a different light, it’s still her, no matter your perception.
This is probably one of my favorite tracks off the album. If you like girl pop and rock, this song is definitely one you can sing along to with your bestie. "Drive U Crazy" has an obvious percussion beat from the drums and carries the message of being in love with someone so much that you want to drive them "crazy." In the pre-chorus, I love Minnie’s delicate, soft vocals before the louder and faster beat kicks in, along with Yuqi’s vocals as they sing the chorus.
Cherry Sky
"Cherry Sky" is a refreshing EDM-light pop track that listeners can enjoy after the upbeat energy of "Drive U Crazy." The lyrics capture the moment of being caught up in a relationship with someone and living in the moment.
Valentine Dream
No musical project would be complete without a ballad or two, right? "Valentine Dream" is such a sweet track—like a slow-band ballad. You can enjoy Minnie’s delicate control and impact as she sings this love song.
It’s Okay
"It’s Okay" has a more sentimental feel to the melody, matching the lyrics about missing someone and learning how to move forward. If you read the lyrics, you can feel the emotion in Minnie’s voice and the heartfelt message she shares.
Obsession (Feat. TEN of WAYV)
I’m not sure where to start with this track. I guess a fun fact about this dive into an album review is that I watched the special clip of "Obsession" with TEN, and as soon as I heard the song, I was “obsessed” (no pun intended). I’ve been a fan of NCT/WAYV for a while and was aware of Minnie and TEN’s friendship, which they’ve revealed over the years. I tend to like rock songs, so melodically, this definitely intrigued me, though it may be more of a soft pop-rock song. The blend of Minnie’s soft vocals and TEN’s voice really works in this love song. What’s interesting about this track is that it has a buildup where I expected Minnie to belt powerfully in the chorus, but instead, she’s more gentle with her vocals. I think this shows great control in her skill. Somehow, it worked even better on this track than I expected.
What’s your favorite track from Minnie's album? You can watch Minnie’s MV for “Her”, “Blind eyes red” and her special video “Obsession” with TEN on youtube as well as stream her album on Spodify.