YENA Explores Love Through a New Lens with “네모네모 (NEMONEMO)”
On September 30, South Korean soloist YENA released her third single album, 네모네모 (NEMONEMO), which offers an eccentric take on the concept of love. This comes eight months after the release of her third mini album, Good Morning, in January. During her comeback showcase, YENA gave insight into the new album’s meaning: “Overall, this album revolves around the theme of love. Everyone defines and expresses love differently, and this album expresses love in my own lovely way.”
네모네모 (NEMONEMO) features credits from music producer 네이슨 (NATHAN) and lyrics by fellow solo artists Zico and b!ni. YENA revealed that Zico came up with the metaphor for the title track. “Two days before recording, we still didn’t have the lyrics. So I decided to play the track for Zico…he kindly came up with the identity and keywords of the song and even wrote some clever lyrics,” she told The Korea Times. Through the album, listeners experience a rose-colored take on what it means to love.
How YENA Shapes Love
The title track, “네모네모 (NEMONEMO),” defines love as something that is not always straightforward and consistent like a circle. Sometimes, love is more like a square — sharp and superficial. A combination of the electronic dance instrumental and quirky choreography illustrates YENA’s innocence as she navigates through an unpleasant event. In the music video, YENA is seen attending a support group meeting where the topic seems to revolve around tainted relationships. The instrumental is tense as she sings, “Tick tock, round clock looking at us,” hinting that their time is almost up. Her boyfriend in the video — oblivious — doesn’t understand why she’s so upset.
As she enters into the pre-chorus, the music softens and the lights dim. YENA expresses her frustrations through an inner monologue, “You’re really annoying / Why are you like that, really?” Further ruminating on the situation, she can’t help but wonder why her experience is so different from the perfect one she created in her mind.
In the chorus, YENA realizes the toxic nature of her relationship. “If I reach out you’ll get pricked / We are like squares, blaming each other / I’m full of scars, it’s really killing me. It’s crooked like NEMO NEMO NEMO NEMO sign,” she sings.
During the song’s bridge, it seems that YENA will choose herself once and for all; however, that is not the case. Through the final lyrics, YENA expresses that she will look past her partner’s imperfections, despite all the warning signs. “Even if I get pricked / I’ll reach out first / I like you, even if you’re a square / Like a round ribbon, I’ll hug you / Because you’re my gift.”
It’s Complicated…
In the jazz and R&B-inspired track “설탕 (Sugar),” YENA’s forbidden lover is personified as a sweet substance. Throughout the song, YENA questions why her seemingly pleasant relationship isn’t the same as before. The sugar that brought her so much happiness is now causing her so much suffering. “How are you this sweet? / But this sweet kind of hurts my heart / It hurts way more than I thought,” she sweetly sings in the opening lines.
As the song progresses, YENA doesn’t want things to end. “If this isn’t love, what is it? / I don’t know, I don’t know / How could you hurt me so? Why? / Just say you won’t leave me.” Ultimately, she is not strong enough to let go, and she chooses to maintain the unhealthy relationship at the expense of her happiness: “Pretending to believe you, all the while, I’ll melt you down.”
The album’s final song, “그건 사랑이었다고 (It was love),” is heavier than the rest in emotion.. In this pop-rock track, YENA navigates the feeling of parting ways with someone special. As the song starts, YENA summarizes her current lifestyle. From zoning out during bus commutes to not noticing the changing seasons, things have been nothing but dull. In the pre-chorus, YENA reminisces the moments of comfort spent with her friend. “Suddenly I wonder / Do you remember (you and I) looking out the window without saying anything?” she sings. She imagines how things would go if they ever got the chance to reunite. “If I meet you, What should I say? / I’m sorry, Thank you / That kind of talk is too common.” YENA blames herself — more specifically, her lack of vulnerability — for the end of their friendship. In the final moments, everything falls into place as she realizes what she had wanted to communicate to her friend all along. “Go back to the time you and I / What I was trying to say is / What I want to say after breaking the silence is.” It was love.
네모네모 (NEMONEMO) is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music! For more updates on YENA, follow her Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube!
Interested in finding more new music? Check out our coverage of wave to earth’s “play with earth! 0.03” album here!
