YUNA — Yet, but (2023)

What is Yet, but?

"Yet, But" is a solo song by Yuna, a member of the South Korean girl group ITZY, featured on the group's album Born to Be. The track centers on self-acceptance and perseverance. Released alongside the album on January 8, 2024, the song was co-written and co-composed by Yuna herself, with additional composition by Lee Woo-min 'Collapsedone' and MRCH, while Lee Woo-min handled the arrangement.

The composition addresses multiple thematic elements. The lyrics express confidence that one shines like a diamond regardless of life circumstances. In addition, the song emphasizes the importance of patience and self-belief, acknowledging that perfection unfolds as a process rather than an immediate achievement. The track challenges public expectations and encourages listeners to maintain authenticity in the face of external pressure. Coupled with these themes, the song highlights the value of support and encouragement from others.

The music video for "Yet, But" was released on Tuesday, depicting Yuna and her dog living and live-streaming in a pink-hued room aboard a spaceship. Through its lyrics, Yuna delivers an encouraging message about maintaining one's brilliance through life's fluctuations. The song serves as an anthem celebrating individuality and the continuous journey toward self-realization.

Release and details

Album and artist information

The track appears as the ninth song on ITZY's eighth mini album Born to Be. The album features multiple solo performances by group members, including "Blossom" performed by Lia. ITZY consists of five members: Yuna, Ryujin, Yeji, Lia, and Chaeryeong. The group established itself in the K-pop industry following its debut in 2019.

Release date and label

JYP Entertainment released Born to Be on January 8, 2024, at 6 PM Korean Standard Time and 4 AM Eastern Standard Time. The music video premiered on Tuesday, December 27, 2023. The album's release was distributed under JYP Entertainment's label, which holds both copyright and production rights for the material. The company manages ITZY's discography, which spans multiple albums and extended plays released since 2019.

Song meaning and lyrics

Self-confidence and individuality

The lyrics convey confidence in shining like a diamond regardless of life circumstances. The composition employs the metaphor of a diamond with 58 ways to shine, symbolizing multiple facets of brilliance. This wordplay emphasizes individuality and the uniqueness of each person's journey. The song celebrates staying true to oneself rather than conforming to external expectations, promoting self-acceptance as a central message.

Patience and self-belief

The track acknowledges that perfection unfolds as a process rather than an immediate achievement. Lyrics such as "I'll wait for you to become perfect" reinforce the notion that personal growth requires time. The repeated phrase "not yet" serves as a reminder that incomplete development remains acceptable. The song encourages listeners to embrace their current state while working toward future goals.

Resisting public pressure

The composition challenges public expectations and urges listeners to maintain authenticity. Specific lyrics address dismissing insincere concerns with "say no thanks" and establishing boundaries through "don't cross the line". The message rejects superficial judgments, asserting that "not just anyone can recognize" true value.

Support and encouragement

The lyrics emphasize relying on others during moments of self-doubt, with the line "when you can't believe in yourself, just trust me". The promise "I got your back" reinforces mutual support. This theme extends through references to navigating life's fluctuations, reminding listeners to "smile and laugh it off" during challenging periods.

Music video and reception

Visual themes

The music video presents Yuna and her dog inhabiting a pink-hued room aboard a spaceship, where she engages in live-streaming activities. The setting creates a cohesive aesthetic centered on vibrant pink tones throughout the visual presentation. The dog featured in the production was named Nana by Yuna, though speculation arose regarding the animal's actual ownership. The video incorporates playful wordplay with "na yeppeo" (meaning "I'm pretty"), adding linguistic creativity to the visual narrative.

Fan reactions

Reception highlighted the video's creative and colorful execution, with observers noting the empowering nature paired with captivating musical elements. The concept represented a departure from ITZY's characteristic style, featuring a girly and high-teen aesthetic rather than the group's typical cool-girl energy. Some audiences drew comparisons to Nayeon's "Pop!" in terms of style and appeal. View count discussions noted lower numbers relative to other solo tracks from the album, attributed to the thematic divergence from ITZY's established sound rather than quality issues.

Cheer guide

An official cheer guide for the track was released to facilitate fan participation during live performances. The guide provides structured call-and-response patterns for audience engagement during concert presentations.

FAQs

What linguistic elements are embedded in the song?

The track incorporates Korean wordplay where "not, not, not yet but" phonetically resembles "no no no yeppeo," translating to "You're pretty" in Korean. This linguistic device functions as a compliment directed toward the listener. In addition, the phrase "58 ways to shine" references the 58 facets of a cut diamond, reinforcing the metaphorical framework established throughout the composition.

Why did the track receive fewer views compared to other solo performances from the album?

The lower view count relative to other solo tracks stems from its thematic divergence from ITZY's established musical identity. Specifically, the song presents a high-teen and cute aesthetic rather than the group's characteristic cool-girl energy. This stylistic departure attracted audiences based on performer attachment rather than genre preference.

How was the song's creative execution received?

Reception highlighted the colorful and bright visual presentation coupled with empowering lyrical content. The composition's beat was noted for its captivating quality. Observers identified the creative approach as a standout element, distinguishing it from conventional K-pop solo releases. The production maintained thematic consistency between audio and visual components throughout its presentation.