JOY Love Splash: A Beautiful Story of Summer Romance and Musical Magic

Summer romance meets musical charm in JOY's "Love Splash!" – a vibrant celebration of love that dives into "mint-tinted water" and electric emotions. Released on August 18, 2025, as the title track of her first solo mini-album "From JOY, With Love," this upbeat single showcases a refreshing side of the talented artist.

Unlike typical idol-turned-soloist trajectories, JOY of Red Velvet explores a distinctly effusive energy in "Love Splash!" that builds on her previous solo work. Though the song doesn't overwhelm listeners with its charm initially, it gradually works its way into memory with subtle appeal that remains captivating throughout. Furthermore, the music video amplifies the song's summer vibes through lively beach settings and stylish cinematography, bringing lyrics like "Confessing honest love, diving into each other, Splash!" to life through JOY's bright vocals and engaging expressions.

The story behind 'Love Splash!'

After a four-year hiatus from solo work, Red Velvet's Joy made a triumphant return with "From Joy, with Love," marking a significant milestone as her first original mini album. While her solo debut in 2021 featured the remake album "Hello," this new project fully showcases her own musical colors and artistic vision.

Joy's return to solo music

The journey to creating this album wasn't without challenges. "Releasing an album that fully expresses my emotions once felt vague and daunting," Joy confessed, "but thanks to so many people who helped me, I'm just filled with gratitude these days". Released on July 28, 2025, the announcement of her comeback created immediate excitement among fans who had been waiting patiently for her solo return.

The concept of summer romance

"Love Splash!" embodies the essence of summer love – capturing the exhilarating moment when romantic feelings begin to stir. Set against the backdrop of a cool seaside landscape, the lyrics vividly depict that instant when love creates waves in a previously calm heart. As Joy herself explained, she wanted to capture the emotions of first love and pair them with catchy melodies perfectly suited to the season. The result is a track that beautifully expresses a sincere love confession, ultimately illustrating the feelings of falling deeply in love.

How the song fits into her discography

Similar to her 2021 debut "Hello," this release maintains Joy's signature upbeat and effusive energy – a refreshing departure from the typical idol-turned-soloist approach. Yet "From Joy, with Love" represents substantial growth, offering a collection of six tracks that each tell different stories of love from Joy's distinctive perspective. Her participation in the lyrics of several tracks, including "Get Up and Dance," demonstrates her evolution as an artist. The mini album reveals both her refreshing and sweet appeal, presenting a unique charm that stands apart from her work with Red Velvet.

A closer look at the lyrics

The lyrics of "Love Splash!" paint a vivid picture through carefully crafted imagery and emotional storytelling.

Setting the scene: beach, sun, and waves

From the opening lines, the song establishes its beachside setting with references to "beach balls" and "heatwave". Throughout the track, Joy creates a sensory experience with mentions of "mint-tinted water" and sun-drenched imagery. The seaside atmosphere becomes more than just a backdrop—it transforms into the perfect canvas for a summer romance to unfold. Additionally, the lyrics describe "pretty sand" that sparkles, creating a dazzling environment where love can bloom.

Romantic tension and emotional build-up

The narrative builds emotional tension through small, intimate moments—hands brushing softly causes held breath, followed by an involuntary giggle. Joy's confession, "I think I'm already head over heels into you", reveals vulnerability, while playful commands like "don't tease me" and the yearning "Boy, just kiss me" increase the romantic anticipation. The comparison of the love interest to a "midsummer fever" that can't be cooled even by "ice-cold water" effectively conveys irresistible attraction.

Symbolism in the chorus and bridge

The chorus uses water imagery symbolically—"Under the sun we dive"—comparing falling in love to diving into an ocean. The bridge introduces the concept of "first wave," representing initial attraction, with lyrics about entering "a brand new world" and embarking on "that long adventure together". This symbolism perfectly captures the theme—a heart once calm as a quiet sea now stirred by waves of emotion.

Visual storytelling in the music video

The music video for "Love Splash!" transports viewers into a dreamy beachside narrative filled with visual delights.

Beachside adventure and playful moments

Shot against the backdrop of a dazzling summer beach, the video follows Joy as she unexpectedly falls in love amid unpredictable episodes presented in a delightful manner. One memorable sequence features a fight scene with model Yugo (playing the male lead) that Joy filmed shortly after their first meeting. Despite initial awkwardness, their chemistry shines through as they navigate the storyline together.

Choreography that mirrors emotion

Throughout the video, Joy's movements reflect the emotional journey described in the lyrics. Dynamic rhythms pair with vivid scenes of walking along streets and beaches, creating a feeling of youthful lightness and carefree summer days. Her expressions effectively capture the character falling in love, drawing viewers into the narrative.

Color palette and cinematography choices

Notably, the video employs an analog, vintage-inspired color palette that immediately establishes its retro charm. The aesthetic incorporates elements reminiscent of the "Love Song Color Scheme" featuring Flavescent, Yellow Orange, Rose Pink, and Majorelle Blue tones. This vibrant approach has resonated with fans who appreciate the return to colorful K-pop videos.

How visuals enhance the romantic theme

The cinematography perfectly complements the song's romantic theme through kitschy props, cute outfits, and Joy's blonde styling. Moreover, the vintage camera aesthetic, recently popular among the MZ generation, appears in teaser photos. Consequently, fans have compared the finished product to scenes straight out of a teen romance movie.

Why 'Love Splash!' stands out

Among Red Velvet's diverse discography, "Love Splash!" carves its own distinctive space as a solo offering from Joy. What truly elevates this summer anthem beyond typical seasonal releases lies in several carefully crafted elements.

Joy's unique vocal tone

Joy possesses what critics have called "the most unique vocal tone" in the industry, making her "the best for both the red and velvet concept regarding the group". Her signature crisp vocal tone perfectly enhances the track's refreshing qualities while maintaining emotional depth. In fact, her confidence in selecting this title track stemmed from knowing she "could convey its lovely melody well with my voice".

Subtle production and emotional delivery

Instead of overwhelming listeners with intensity, "Love Splash!" intentionally "holds back at every turn". The production harmoniously blends "a pounding bass, soft piano, and delicate bell sounds" to create a bright yet nuanced atmosphere. Especially noteworthy is how "even the beat drop during the chorus is more reserved than something like Red Flavor", allowing Joy's vocal performance to shine through.

Comparison to other K-pop summer tracks

Unlike many K-pop summer releases that prioritize immediate impact, "Love Splash!" takes a more refined approach. Rather than "hit you over the head with its charm," it "subtly works its way into your memory". This tiptoeing quality, although initially seeming understated, ultimately "adds to Love Splash's sweetness".

Replay value and long-term appeal

Although it might not become "a future summer staple," the track appears "well-positioned to have strong longevity". Its lasting appeal comes from remaining "charming for its full runtime" while gradually revealing new layers with each listen.