Feature: LEE CHAEYEON Finds Her Direction with 4th Mini Album Till I Die

Two years is a long gap, especially in K-pop. It’s long enough to come back with a new and clearer sense of direction in your music, choreography, and everything in between. With the release of her 4th mini album, Till I Die, LEE CHAEYEON doesn’t rush that return. You can see it in her music video for her song, “No Tears On The Dancefloor.” It still hits as a performance piece, but there is more going on underneath it. You can tell that the focus shifts from trying to stand out to putting out something that lasts. 

This new shift carries through the rest of the mini album. Released earlier this week on April 28, Till I Die feels more settled than LEE CHAEYEON’s earlier releases, not because it presents a more mature version of her, but because it knows where it’s going. It centers on the parts of CHAEYEON’s identity that have always been there, now with a stronger sense of direction behind them. 

Top Photo Credit: LEE CHAEYEON & DayOneDream

For many listeners, her career has been tied closely to performance. From her early appearances on survival programs, to her time in IZ*ONE, she built a reputation on control, timing, and precision. That foundation is still here, but this new EP reframes it. Her performance in this era is less about proving her skill and more about what she chooses to show through it. 

Till I Die is composed of five tracks with a retro feel. Each song is upbeat with a catchy and unique vibe that has a slight early ‘90s pop feel. The mini album’s lead single, “No Tears On The Dancefloor,” is described as a “retro-inspired nu-disco dance-pop anthem” that both takes us back in time while setting the tone for the rest of her songs. The track is built for the stage and never seems to fully let go of what it’s reaching for. There’s a tension that sits under the surface of the song, which matches the idea of pushing forward even when things feel uncertain. It’s not about hiding emotion, it’s about deciding what to do with it. 

That idea shows up in different ways across the album. “Know About Me,” perhaps the EP’s most Y2K inspired song of the album, opens with a direct statement. It pushes back against assumptions and feels like a response to being defined too early, something that often follows artists as they move into their solo work. 

Top Photo Credit: LEE CHAEYEON & DayOneDream

“I’m Waiting” is slightly softer than the rest. The production opens up, giving space for a more reflective tone. It carries a sense of patience that grows instead of focusing on urgency. This contrast works well, adding depth without breaking the flow of the album. It’s catchy chorus hooks you in right away and is arguably one of the best songs on the album after the title track. The song “BAD” comes at the listener with confidence. LEE CHAEYEON explores different sides of her style without overthinking it. The hip-hop tone of the song showcases her confident vocals and brings the listener back to a sound reminiscent of the early years of K-pop. 

By the time the mini album closes with “How Are You,” everything pulls inward again. The song is more minimal, built around softer textures that leave room for reflection, ending everything on a quieter note that still feels consistent with what came before. 

That performance-driven approach also makes this era feel like one that would translate easily to a live stage. In cities like Vancouver, New York, or LA, where audiences are used to shows that balance music, choreography, and storytelling, artists like LEE CHAEYEON tend to connect quickly. There’s a strong appreciation here for performers who are thoughtful in how they use the stage, not just scale, and Till I Die feels built with that kind of audience in mind.

Top Photo Credit: LEE CHAEYEON & DayOneDream

Across all five tracks, there’s a consistent theme. The EP looks at what it means to stay grounded in your work, even as things change. It doesn’t ignore uncertainty, but it doesn’t dwell on it either. It treats it as part of the process, which is something that sits alongside confidence. That feels fitting for where LEE CHAEYEON is now. She’s moved through different stages of her career, from trainee to girl group member to solo artist and into a new chapter under DayOneDream. Till I Die feels like things are settling into place for her, not a reset, but a clearer version of what she’s been building over the last few years. 

Watch LEE CHAEYEON’s music video for No Tears On The Dancefloor below: 

Top Photo Credit: LEE CHAEYEON & DayOneDream