Yves on the rise with pop hit after hit

We had the opportunity to connect with her about her recent New York trip, her latest EP Soft Error, and more about her artistic eye. With collaborations with artists like PinkPanthress and Rebecca Black, she is sure to build on her momentum in the coming year. 

This interview has been edited for clarity and length.

Bri Ng Schwartz: You were in New York for KOOM Festival back in the Fall. What was your favorite part of that experience?
Yves: Since KOOM Festival wasn’t my own concert but a festival, I was quite nervous at first. But the fans prepared a banner event during my set, and it made me feel so warm and emotional while I was performing. Hearing the crowd sing along to my lyrics and seeing the Orchard Piece, my official light stick, sparkling across the huge venue made me incredibly happy and energized—it really helped me give my best performance. Especially watching the fans in the front row smiling and nodding along throughout the show eased my nerves and turned them into a sense of calm. All of that support truly gave me courage on stage.

BNS: You recently released your newest EP, Soft Error. What excites you most about the project?
Y: Soft Error was exciting because it pushed me to take bolder creative steps than in my previous work. Musically, I experimented with using my voice almost like an instrument, even intentionally distorting it with effects to create new textures that blend into the music. Visually, I also transformed—cutting my hair short and embracing a new image. I wanted this album to show listeners that my team and I are constantly evolving, and to make them curious about what we’ll do next.

BNS: You’ve created such a strong visual aesthetic. Who are some artists across other mediums that you feel inspired by right now?
Y: It’s hard to pick just one artist, but I think a lot of my inspiration traces back to my childhood. My mom used to run a vintage shop, and I loved spending time there mixing and matching different clothes just for fun. That experience really shaped my visual sense and style today. Instead of being influenced by one person, I try to collect inspiration gradually—by regularly  buying magazines or curating Pinterest boards. Lately, I’ve been drawn to avant-garde aesthetics and have been saving a lot of references in that direction.

BNS: You’ve had some iconic collaborations: PinkPantheress, Bratty, Rebecca Black. What do you value most in a collaborator?
Y: When selecting collaborators, my creative team and I think not only about how our vocals will blend but also about the artist’s overall visual identity and aura. I really value artists who have a distinctive character and sound, yet can naturally blend with me to create a new kind of synergy.

BNS: Outside of pop, are there any other genres you’d like to dip your toe into?
Y: I love writing—especially poetry and short essays—as a hobby, and I even run a small blog page. Fans often tell me, “Your writing could be turned into lyrics!” Hearing that made me want to one day create a Korean piano ballad, with lyrics that capture my thoughts and emotions in a really raw and honest way.

BNS: What has been the most rewarding part of your solo career thus far?
Y: Every moment has been meaningful, but one of the most rewarding times was completing my first solo showcase and wrapping up promotions for my debut single, “LOOP.” The sense of accomplishment that I had done it all on my own melted away so many fears and doubts I carried. Hearing fans say things like, “I’m excited for the path you’re taking—I want to keep supporting you,” was incredibly touching. Even now, that moment reminds me why I keep pushing forward.

BNS: What can fans look forward to in the coming year?
Y: I’ll soon be diving into preparations to show a new side of myself. This year, I want to focus more on songwriting and share more tracks that I’ve written myself—like “Ex Machina.” I also hope to perform on bigger stages and create more chances to meet fans around the world. I’ll keep growing step by step as an artist and show that evolution through new projects and music, so please look forward to it!