I-DLE’s YUQI is putting hearts through the wringer as she tees up her first single with a tear-soaked breakup story.
At midnight KST on Sept. 10, Cube Entertainment dropped the music video for “It Hurts,” a track from YUQI’s upcoming single “Motivation,” via I-DLE’s official social channels.
The clip opens on YUQI in a venue dressing room, tears falling as memories unspool: a blissful romance, arguments on repeat, and a goodbye she chooses in pursuit of her career. Framed like a short film, the narrative ends with a letter that reveals why her lover had to leave―and a resonant reunion as artist and audience when she finally steps onstage.
YUQI stars opposite Chinese actor Wang Anyu, and the pair land the ache with palpable chemistry. Known for her bright, bubbly charm, she taps a deeper register here―letting the tears flow for an unexpectedly intimate, mature performance.
Written and composed by YUQI, “It Hurts” leans into a rock palette, pairing a minimalist band arrangement with her delicate vocal. Lyric lines like “It hurts, but I’ll be okay―because it’s you” and “You know I’ll always be with you, baby,” set against understated guitar, capture the honesty of a breakup in real time.
After carving out a distinct sound on her first mini-album “YUQ1,” YUQI widens the frame with “Motivation,” posing the question, “What’s your motivation?” and hinting at a broader sonic world.
Out Sept. 16 at 6 p.m. KST, “Motivation” features three tracks: title song “M.O,” “It Hurts,” and the Chinese version of “It Hurts.”
Photo= Cube Entertainment
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)