Yang Ji-eun Shares Heartfelt Thoughts on New Album ‘Sunset’ and the Special Bond Between ‘Miss Trot’ Winners!

For singer Yang Ji-eun, “love” is the most important emotion in life and the force that drives her forward. From her family and colleagues to her devoted fandom “Miso Ji-eun,” the heart of love that connects people serves as the engine for her music and her entire life. The precious people who always stay by her side, offering warm support and comfort, are the reason her life is filled with strength and happiness.

In an exclusive interview with MHN to celebrate the release of her second full-length album “Sunset,” Yang Ji-eun candidly shared everything from her recent updates and an introduction to the new album to behind-the-scenes stories and her future plans.

The new full album “Sunset” arrives about a year and six months after her first full album “Picnic,” released in November 2024. Featuring a total of 11 tracks, including the double title songs “Now a Stranger” and “Sunset Path,” the album is expected to showcase a high level of completion and a more diverse musical color, as each song was crafted with great care.

“I performed every single song from my first album “Picnic” on broadcast. I really wanted every track to shine without any being left out, so I brought each one to the stage with a lot of affection. It is the same for my second album. I want to create carefully crafted stages for every song in this new album. I will be revealing the first performance of my new song on “Friday Gold” this coming 15th, so please look forward to it!”

While her previous work “Picnic” evoked deep empathy by capturing the emotions and longing after losing her father, the new album “Sunset” reaches a wider audience by embracing various emotions of life across generations, from the brilliance of youth to the twilight years. It reflects a deeper perspective on life, incorporating themes of time, love, parting, and the preciousness of the moments left behind.

“After my father passed away and I experienced a family member leaving for heaven for the first time, I realized that life can feel very short for some and very long for others. I thought a lot about how my dad felt about his own life, whether it felt short to him, or if he had any regrets.”

“Of course, I can’t know exactly how he felt, but he told me that the time he lived was happy and that he was so happy to have me as his daughter. After hearing that, I felt that I should live every single day of my remaining life truly happily. It wasn’t just a verbal promise, but a moment I felt deeply in my heart.”

In that sense, this album was completed with “love” as the primary emotional framework. Since Yang Ji-eun believes love is the most important emotion in life, she wanted to naturally blend the various feelings one experiences while living and loving.

The album draws deep empathy by capturing countless emotional moments we face in life, including the flutter and happiness of love, as well as parting, longing, hatred, reconciliation, gratitude, and comfort. In particular, it carries a sensibility that blends well with the warm spring season, with the hope that it will be an album that warmly embraces someone’s heart.

Yang Ji-eun continues her steady musical journey with the release of her second full album. Since debuting in the music industry as the winner (Jin) of “Miss Trot 2,” she has consistently built her own musical world and career with a sophisticated approach.

Seeing fellow “Miss Trot” series singers, including Song Ga-in, actively pursuing their own paths has also served as a great source of strength. As the trot genre as a whole is being loved through more diverse stages and music, they support each other’s growth and gain positive energy and hope together.

“There was a time when we had to compete for the win, but because we went through that time together, I think there is a strong bond now that only we can understand. Since we all experienced that intensity and desperation, there are parts where we empathize more deeply.”

“Above all, it is so cool to see my colleagues continuing to take on new challenges. Actually, challenging yourself isn’t as easy as it sounds. It requires an immense amount of time, energy, physical strength, and effort, so seeing them silently push through that process makes me really proud. Even if they are younger, their hearts are so full, and I feel they have grown strong enough that I can now rely on them.”

Attention is also focused on the special connection and synergy between the winners of each “Miss Trot” season, including Yang Ji-eun, Song Ga-in, Jung Seo-ju, and Lee So-na. Although they are from different seasons, they have passed through the same stages and times, naturally deepening their camaraderie and empathy, and they continue a close relationship by supporting each other’s activities.

“I am very close with Ga-in unnie, and Seo-ju and I are close enough to go see musicals together. I also naturally became close with So-na. I’m the second child at home, and I was also the second winner in “Miss Trot 2″ (laughs). Maybe that’s why I end up playing the role of a bridge in the middle. We all get along harmoniously, and as fellow winners, we’ve developed a strong camaraderie where we support and rely on each other.”

In particular, her feelings for Song Ga-in are filled with deep respect and affection. Yang Ji-eun described Song Ga-in as the person who opened a new era for trot, noting that because she paved the way as a senior, juniors were able to walk that path together.

“I believe Ga-in unnie is the person who opened the era. Because she paved the way first, we are able to walk that path together. That’s why my respect for her is always very great. She also adores me and takes care of me warmly. She is a senior and a truly reliable older sister figure.”

Just as Song Ga-in led a successful reunion with “Miss Trot” Season 1 members through her concert “First Love” last year, Yang Ji-eun also looks forward to new meetings and stages where she can gather with “Miss Trot 2” members again. However, since most members are currently active in various shows and stages like “Active Singer 3” and “Miss Trot 4,” establishing themselves as next-generation trot leaders, they are all busy in their respective positions. Nevertheless, as colleagues who went through an intense time together, she naturally hopes to reunite one day to create more memories and performances.

“Looking back, the “Miss Trot 2″ members were truly amazing, and it felt like a time of war (laughs). But since the friends who went through that time together are now becoming the generation that leads the trot scene, I feel even more proud and our bond has grown stronger. It’s so great to see everyone active here and there.”

“Actually, I have a very strong desire to get together with the “Miss Trot 2″ members. But everyone is so busy and has so many individual activities that it’s not easy. Still, we always think of each other in our hearts, and we are the kind of relationship where we connect instantly when we meet. I love the fact that I have people like siblings with whom I can reminisce about those days even after more time passes and we become like the veteran teachers.”

Furthermore, Yang Ji-eun revealed that her affection for the juniors who call her “sunbaenim” (senior) is growing. She mentioned that she has been smiling more lately because new “Miss Trot 4” juniors, such as Hong Seong-yun, Gil Ryeo-won, and Yun Yun-seo, have written her handwritten letters or expressed their fan-like admiration. She added that she feels a sense of pride as a senior and naturally cares more for these cute and lovely juniors’ sincere expressions.

“Looking back, I don’t think I was the ‘cute junior’ style. I think I was a polite and respectful junior, but today’s juniors are polite and also have a cute and bubbly charm, so they are truly lovely. Seeing that, I feel like I’m starting to get a bit of a ‘senior vibe’ (laughs).”

“That’s why I often think about naturally sharing the things I’ve experienced or felt. I am always open to juniors who reach out first, and I have a strong desire to move forward together as a good senior.”

Above all, the biggest source of strength for Yang Ji-eun is her fandom “Miso Ji-eun.” She says they are the greatest driving force that allows her to run on stage for a long time, and the power that enables her to stand up again in any moment comes from the love of her fans. The fans, who stay by her side with consistent support and trust, are her most reliable presence.

“My gratitude is so much larger that it makes me forget all the difficult moments. No matter what happens, the fans are the first people I think of. I believe the reason I can continue to sing is ultimately thanks to the fans. That’s why I want to show them even better songs and a better side of myself.”

Yang Ji-eun plans to be more active following the release of her new full album “Sunset.” Along with singles that match the season, she is planning a traditional Korean music (Gugak) album that leverages her strengths and intends to challenge new ways of communication, such as YouTube content. As a new second act of her singing career opens with this second full album, she is determined to show a more grown, stable, and diverse charm.

“Since a new second act has opened, I hope you look forward to seeing me grow more as a singer, become more stable, and show various sides of myself. Actually, releasing a full album is a very difficult process, but thanks to the support and love of my fans, I was able to present a new full album in a relatively short time.”

“I am more grateful to the ‘Miso Ji-eun’ fans than anyone else, and as I’ve been active lately, I can feel that many people in the general public also like and love my music, so I’m spending very proud and happy days as a singer. I will continue to be a singer who doesn’t lose her initial resolve, so please support me a lot.”

“And I’ve realized that the power of music is actually quite large. Just as I have had many moments of comfort and healing through music, I hope that fans can become even happier with music on joyful days and gain the strength to endure even a little bit through music on difficult days. I will continue to show you many different sides, so please look forward to it.”