Lee Chae-yeon aims for a win in her latest EP 'Showdown'

Singer Lee Chae-yeon steps back into the limelight 10 months after her previous release for a win with her new EP “Showdown."

Singer Lee Chae-yeon performs on stage in Ilchi Art Hall, Gangnam District, southern Seoul on June 3. [RBW, WM ENTERTAINMENT]

Singer Lee Chae-yeon steps back into the limelight for a win with her new EP “Showdown."

The singer held a showcase at Ilchi Art Hall, Gangnam District, southern Seoul on Wednesday, two hours before the release of her new album at 6 p.m. “Showdown” is Lee’s first new music in 10 months, following her single “The Move: Street” released last September.

“Showdown means a final battle in sports,” said Lee, dressed in an edgy outfit with cutout double-layered pants. “I wanted to show different sides within myself clashing with each other."

“Showdown” has five tracks: lead track “Don’t,” “Summer Heat,” “Supernatural,” “Standing on My Own” and “Dreaming.”

Lead track “Don’t” is a two-step dance jam that starts with cell phone vibrations and ring tones. The lyrics tell the story of a person going through a chaotic breakup with conflicting attitudes, saying both “don’t call me” and “please call me” in the chorus.

“I could imagine myself confidently performing this song live,” said Lee. “It was an interesting track with addictive melodies and I thought it also had refreshing storytelling.”

Concept photo for Lee’s new album “Showdown.” [RBW, WM ENTERTAINMENT]

Lee was not just a performer for this album — she also had a hand in the production of the album. Lee is credited for the lyrics in “Dreaming” and “Don’t.”

“'Dreaming' is a song I wrote with my fans in mind,” said Lee, “It’s a ballad with a message about me becoming a star in the sky so my fans can sleep comfortably at night.”

Lee debuted as a member of Mnet's project girl group IZ*ONE in 2018. Lee joined Mnet's dancing survival show, "Street Woman Fighter," in 2021, shortly after project girl group IZ*ONE's official activities came to an end. She released her first solo album "Hush Rush," in October 2022.

Lee performs on stage in Ilchi Art Hall. [RBW, WM ENTERTAINMENT]

Lee is currently signed to WM Entertainment, while her sister Chaeryeong is active as a member of JYP Entertainment's girl group ITZY. The two have often been asked questions about each other at public events, including during Wednesday's showcase.

“I filmed a [dance] challenge [for 'Don’t'] with my sister,” Lee said. “She was going on tour, and we decided to film one spontaneously. Chaeryeong told me that she really liked the song.”

Lee expressed her wishes to see her album rise up in charts.

“I am already grateful that I can perform with the album, but it is not just about me,” Lee said. “I want the fans and [my] parents to be happy as well, so I hope [the new album] reaches the Top 100 as fast as possible.”

To find out more about Lee Chae-yeon, visit Celeb Confirmed!

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]