I-dle's Soyeon teases bold solo comeback at Waterbomb Festival

Soyeon of the group I-dle raised expectations for her solo return after approximately five years, delivering a daring performance and unveiling unreleased tracks on the Waterbomb stage.

Soyeon met with fans at 'Waterbomb Sokcho 2026' held at the Hanwha Resort Seorak Sorano in Sokcho on the 22nd. Footage released via Waterbomb's official SNS on the 23rd captured Soyeon's signature intense stage presence.

Her performance drew significant attention when she shed her T-shirt-style outer layer during the show. Appearing in a black bikini top, Soyeon leaned into the immersive nature of Waterbomb—a fusion of water, music, and performance—to draw enthusiastic responses from the crowd.

Soyeon opened the set with her solo track 'icebluerabbit.' She followed with I-dle hits including 'Wife', 'Queen Bee', and 'TOMBOY', alongside her solo track 'Is this bad b***** number?', demonstrating both stable live vocals and powerful charisma.

The performance garnered extra attention as Soyeon used the stage to preview new music ahead of her solo comeback scheduled for early September. After a hiatus of approximately five years and two months, she performed two previously unreleased tracks from her upcoming album for the first time.

In 'STAR,' characterized by intense EDM sounds and direct lyrics, she defined her musical identity through an aggressive, provocative performance. In contrast, she displayed a starkly different mood during 'I Hate Vegetables Song,' shifting to a much more cheerful and playful atmosphere.

The ability to move freely between contrasting emotions is a hallmark of Soyeon's solo music. While rooted in strong rap and performance, she actively incorporates humor and character depending on the genre and concept. This Waterbomb stage served as a condensed showcase of that musical spectrum.

Immediately following the performance, she made a surprise release of the 'I Hate Vegetables Song' music video through her YouTube channel 'Girl Soyeon White Paper.' Using a character reminiscent of her childhood, the video visually expanded the humorous tone of the new song, merging music with creative content promotion.

Soyeon's recent moves go beyond a simple comeback teaser; they reaffirm her presence as a creator who personally designs her music, performance, and concepts. Given her extensive involvement in songwriting and producing for I-dle, fans are eager to see how vividly her musical identity will be realized in her solo work.

The five-year hiatus further fuels anticipation for this comeback. As Soyeon returns as a solo artist after expanding her global influence with I-dle, attention is focused on how her artistry has evolved.

With this Waterbomb performance, Soyeon has completed her warm-up for the upcoming release. By showcasing bold styling, intense performances, and two distinct new songs, she signaled that her solo era aims for evolution rather than mere repetition.

I-dle will continue their world tour with '2026 I-dle WORLD TOUR [Syncopation] IN MACAU' at the Galaxy Arena in Macau on the 29th and 30th.