Smiley (stylised as x‿x (SMiLEY)) is the debut extended play (EP) by South Korean singer Choi Ye-na. It was released on January 17, 2022, by Yuehua Entertainment.[1]
Background
From June 15 to August 31, 2018, Choi (together with Everglow members Kim Si-hyeon and Wang Yiren) represented Yuehua Entertainment on reality girl group survival show Produce 48. She eventually placed fourth and debuted with Iz*One. The group's debut extended play (EP) Color*Iz was released on October 29, 2018, with "La Vie en Rose" serving as its lead single.[2][3][4] On April 29, 2021, Iz*One officially disbanded after the end of their contract.[5]
On January 2, 2022, Yena announced the release date and schedule for her debut EP Smiley. A representative from her agency, Yuehua Entertainment shared: [6]
Choi Ye Na had various positions in Iz*One, including lead vocal, lead dancer, and even rapper and continued that as she had prepared for her solo over a long time. Yena will now be starting her career in earnest as a singer who can show diverse forms of herself
^Ji, Min-kyung (January 3, 2022). "아이즈원 출신 최예나, 1월 17일 솔로 데뷔 확정 [공식]" [Choi Ye-na from Iz*One Confirms Solo Debut on January 17th [Official]]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 3, 2022.
^Hwang, Mi-hyun (September 4, 2018). "[단독] "국민 픽" 아이즈원, 10월 29일 데뷔 확정...본격 韓日 걸그룹" [[Exclusive] "People's Pick" IZone to debut on October 29th... Authentic Korean and Japanese girl group]. News 1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
^Lee, Ji-seok (September 2, 2018). "[단독]프듀48 '아이즈원', 첫 일정 'AKB48 프로듀서와 상견례'...4일 일본行" [[Exclusive] Producer 48 'IZone', first schedule 'Meeting with AKB48 producer'...]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2018.
^Lee, Jeong-beom (October 15, 2018). "아이즈원, 첫 미니 앨범 '컬러아이즈' 오피셜 포토 공개...'채연-민주-채원-히토미'" [IZ*ONE releases official photos for their first mini-album 'Color Eyes'... 'Chaeyeon-Minju-Chaewon-Hitomi']. Top Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
^Kim, Soo-jung (February 10, 2022). '엠카' 최예나, 프로미스나인 꺾고 영광의 1위..."더 열심히 할게요" [종합] ['M Countdown' Choi Ye-na, beats Fromis9 to win 1st place... "I will work harder" [General]]. X Sport News (in Korean). Retrieved February 10, 2022 – via Naver.
