ITZY, the Korean girl-crush group with Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong and Yuna debuted in 2019, has already released many hit MV such as Loco, Dalla Dalla, Wannabe and Sneaker.
ITZY has grown increasingly into their group’s mantra of self-worth, confidence and ‘you do you’, over a short period of time.
Getting to where they are now, wasn’t easy especially in the debut year. Here’s what they went through:
Yeji found leading the group challenging
“All the emotions I bottled up turned toxic. I often feel sorry for myself and think, ‘Why do I keep everything to myself? Why am I struggling alone by not expressing how I truly feel? When the team was first formed, I was thinking, ‘I hope I’m not the leader.’ It’s because I’m not blunt or someone who can easily say what needs to be said. I felt pressure about that and a great sense of responsibility.”
Chaeryeong struggled with self-worth and confidence
“I regret that I wasn’t able to take care of my emotional wounds. I don’t know why, but after becoming a part of the debut group which I’d dreamed about for so long, I thought it meant nothing if I was already being hated like this. I still have little habits like standing on the side when taking pictures or trying not to stand out. I think I didn’t know a lot about myself, and I think I also didn’t take care of myself a lot. I’m trying to do so lately. To be honest, I know there aren’t many people who really behave like the lyrics of our song. There aren’t many people who have that kind of self-worth and self-confidence.”
Lia also struggled with self-condemnation
“My team members are all so good at dancing, and the [dance] performance is really what amplifies the concept of our team. Even I can see that they are charming and enchanting when they’re dancing. It doesn’t mean that I don’t like to be a part of the performance, it’s just that I’m not good at it. ITZY’s performance is truly great, and I love ITZY, but trying to be ITZY is challenging.”
How it can be ITZY bit easier
Going through a difficult time is what we all go through, Idol status or not. But we can all get through those dark nights of our lives. By having a growth mindset, learning about our emotions and how to cope in different situations can help make life a whole lot easier.
Having gone through that phase, ITZY now plays the Cheshire Cat to guide us through our confusion.
Yuna
“From our debut, our central message has been ‘I love myself’…Our lyrics have also had a positive influence on me. They helped me trust myself. I hope this energy is also delivered to those who watch us perform.”
Chaeryoung
“It’s hard to have faith in yourself, but just try to make a step because there’s no right or wrong answers in life.”
Having a flexible mindset and believing in your self-worth can help to keep all those social pressure and demands in check.
Yeji
“Trust in yourself and keep going forward”.
“There were times when I struggled because of the uncertainties I faced, ever since I decided to become a singer. But I am able to be where I am now because I believed that I know myself the best, and that I can do it.”
Self-awareness and a growth mindset can help us to develop self-worth and self-esteem.
Ruling over your own life requires managing your own thoughts and emotions.
Here’s how you can get through your own labyrinth of emotions:
How to get rid of those nasty negative thoughts
Looking at situations through better perspective
Believing that ‘I’m worth it’.
How to stay adaptable as we track through the rubble in life.
Still lost in the maze of emotions? Try this mood check
