[Exclusive Interview] Shin Jiyoon Helps Turn Heartbreak into Strength
byCiera Reeves-
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Shin Jiyoon, also known as Yoonie, is a multi-talented independent artist who has established herself as a singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ in the Korean music scene. She was known before as a former member of the girl group Weeekly and contestant on the survival show "MIXNINE" in 2017. After taking time to redefine her musical direction, she made her solo debut on April 9, 2024, with the digital single "Yellow Light," marking the beginning of her journey as an independent artist.
She returned with her third digital single, "Did you love me?" on May 22, 2025, a heartfelt breakup anthem that blends emotional lyrics with dance-pop energy, drawing inspiration from her own teenage heartbreak experiences. The single demonstrates her remarkable growth as both a performer and songwriter, showcasing her ability to transform personal vulnerability into universally relatable music.
"Did you love me?" Music Video
One thing that sets Jiyoon apart as an artist is her genuine connection with her fanbase—she actively engages with supporters through social media, shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of her creative process, and values their input in her artistic journey. In a particularly innovative move for this project, she launched a fan-driven contest inviting her supporters to design her album cover, demonstrating her collaborative approach to music-making and her desire to include her community in her artistic journey.
Amid Jiyoon's busy schedule she spoke with KpopWise about the release of "Did You Love Me?"
How would you describe your new single “Did you love me” to people who haven't heard it yet?
Exciting dance music that defeats sadness, a remedy for falling in love with yourself, far from toxic relationships.
Your music has such a fun, girly pop energy - how do you want listeners to feel when they hear this song?
When you're feeling sad, tired, or lonely, I hope my songs can give you strength! And if you're stuck with a red flag partner, I hope my music gives you the courage to walk away.
What's your favorite lyric from "Did you love me" and why does it stand out to you?
Definitely “You swan, he’s a frog.”
Because I’ve seen my friends cry over guys who didn’t deserve them, and I always told them: ‘You’re worth so much more.’
I feel like ‘You swan, he’s a frog’ line carries that message.
How do you choose which outfits and styling to match the girly pop concept of your music?
All the outfits for my performances and music videos are ones I personally pick and style myself. I spend days digging through the internet for inspo, shopping, trying things on, mixing and matching, and finally wearing the outfit I like the most. The process is so exhausting that I wish I had a stylist to help me out. Haha!
Do you have any fun behind-the-scenes stories from filming the music video?
Because the schedule was tight, there weren’t many fun moments to share, but still, I’m happy to tell you a little about it. All the scenes in the music video were shot in a single studio. So, all the different set-ups for various scenes were in one place. And since my cousin was the art director, I felt much more comfortable and happy.
