ITZY’s Yeji Earns Spot on NME’s ‘Best K-Pop Songs of 2025’ with Solo Track ‘Air’

Yeji of ITZY has earned global attention as her solo debut track ‘Air’ is listed among NME’s ‘Best K-Pop Songs of 2025,’ marking a significant milestone in her solo career.

NME’s annual ranking of the ‘25 Best K-Pop Songs of 2025’ included Yeji’s solo debut track ‘Air,’ highlighting its distinctive sound and emotional build. The magazine praised Yeji for delivering tension-filled vocals over a synth-heavy track accented by striking electric guitar layers. Her participation in the songwriting further strengthens the song’s personal identity.

The global momentum behind ‘Air’ has been building since mid-2025, when Billboard listed the song in its ‘Best K-Pop Songs of the First Half of 2025.’ Its synth-pop structure, memorable hook, and Yeji’s dynamic choreography make it a standout both in audio and on stage. Alongside her solo success, ITZY continues to expand their career with the album ‘TUNNEL VISION’ winning first place on music shows, and ‘Girls Will Be Girls’ being recognized on Spotify’s editorial playlists. Their newly announced 2026 world tour is expected to further heighten global engagement.

• ‘Air’ selected for NME’s Best K-Pop Songs of 2025
• Previously ranked on Billboard’s mid-year Best K-Pop list
• Yeji’s songwriting and performance earn strong global praise

## KStarLoud Insight Yeji’s rising solo profile reflects the growing emphasis on individual artistic identity within modern K-Pop. ‘Air’ demonstrates how performance, songwriting, and visual direction can merge into a cohesive narrative, strengthening global recognition beyond group activities. This trend suggests increasing space for fourth-generation idols to develop parallel solo trajectories.