Persistence paid off. As WJSN marks its ninth anniversary, DAYOUNG stepped out on her own ― and just 15 days after releasing her debut solo single, she clinched her first music-show trophy.
On the Sept. 23 broadcast of SBS M/SBS FiL's "The Show," DAYOUNG took home "The Show Choice" with the title track "Body" from her solo debut release "gonna love me, right?" Fighting back tears onstage, she told fans, "I've wanted to feel loved for so long ― thank you for giving me so much love."
For her encore, WJSN's BONA, EXY and YEONJUNG, along with CRAVITY's HYEONGJUN, joined DAYOUNG onstage, turning the celebration into a sweet display of camaraderie.
DAYOUNG was hands-on with the project, steering the planning, concept and even the music video to introduce herself not just as an idol, but as an artist. Ahead of promotions, she unveiled a striking makeover ― shedding about 12 kilograms and swapping her bright, bubbly image for a tanned, bleached and more mature edge that matches the song’s candid, provocative spirit.
Word of mouth kicked in fast: the track hit No. 1 on VIBE’s Soaring Chart on Sept. 21 and entered Melon’s Top 100 at No. 89 the following day, momentum that culminated in her music-show win two weeks post-debut.
Since debuting with WJSN in 2016, DAYOUNG has kept busy ― from the sub-unit WJSN CHOCOME to becoming the youngest champion on "King of Mask Singer." Now, nine and a half years later, her solo debut stamps her name once again, this time on her own terms.
Onstage, her mix of confidence and earnest hunger makes it easy to see why fans can’t help but love her.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Kyung-youn)