Lance Joseph Martinez

Lee Young Ji Teases Possible Full-Length Album as She Embarks on 2nd World Tour

Article (news)

<p>If you’re a fan of K-pop or K-dramas, chances are you’ve come across a video featuring<strong> Lee Young Ji. </strong>Today, she is one of South Korea’s most popular music artists and variety show hosts, widely loved for her humor, charisma, and entertaining personality.</p><p>However, before becoming a household name in the entertainment industry, the 23-year-old first stepped into the spotlight through the South Korean hip-hop survival program <strong><em>High School Rapper 3</em></strong>. Lee Young Ji ultimately made history by winning the competition, becoming both the youngest champion and the show’s first female winner.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780457936732Screenshot 2026-06-03 at 11.38.36 AM.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Lee Young Ji | Photo courtesy of Mainstream</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>In the finale, she performed her self-written track <strong>“GO HIGH</strong>,<strong>” </strong>featuring <strong>Woo Won-jae </strong>and<strong> Changmo</strong>.<strong></strong> Her energetic stage presence and catchy performance helped secure overwhelming support from viewers, leading her to victory over her fellow finalists.</p><p>More than seven years after her breakthrough win, Lee Young Ji recently looked back on her time on the show and shared the memory that remains most vivid to her.</p><p>“There were a lot of fun moments and difficult moments… but honestly, the very first thing that came to mind when I read this question was lying on the couch in the waiting room after surviving a nearly 30-hour filming schedule, eating a hamburger while watching the sunrise through the window,” she told <strong>METRO</strong>.</p><p>While Lee Young Ji cherishes the many happy memories she gained from <em>High School Rapper 3, </em>she also acknowledged the intense and demanding nature of the competition. As a high school student at the time, balancing the grueling filming schedules and high-pressure environment was no easy feat, making the experience both rewarding and unforgettable.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780458083650Screenshot 2026-06-03 at 11.40.23 AM.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Mainstream</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>On the success of her YouTube show and her collaboration with D.O.<br/></strong></div><p>While Lee Young Ji’s popularity is undoubtedly rooted in her music career, her rise to international fame was also fueled by the success of her hit <strong>YouTube</strong> drinking talk show, <strong><em>No Prepare</em></strong><em></em><em>.</em><em></em><strong><em></em></strong></p><p>The variety program features the rapper inviting celebrity guests to her home for candid conversations over drinks. The show quickly became a fan favorite, particularly because many of its guests are K-pop idols, giving viewers a rare chance to see their favorite stars in a more relaxed and unfiltered setting.</p><p>The authenticity of the show was something Lee Young Ji herself acknowledged, revealing that there were times when she genuinely became drunk while filming.</p><p>“Wow, every single filming is honestly filled with unbelievable moments. The most basic thing is… I usually barely remember anything after filming. Before shooting, while I’m still sober, I prepare all the questions I want to ask, and then, once I get drunk, I somehow try my best to reconnect to those memories and ask the questions anyway,” Lee Young Ji stated.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mQnlVcKhz-A?si=zCp6FguHt7OCSDt1" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>The rapper also shared that after every filming session, she would immediately ask the production team if she had said anything unusual.</p><p>“Did I say anything weird?” she recalled asking her writers and producers. Despite being reassured that everything was fine, Lee Young Ji admitted that she still feels anxious whenever she watches the edited episodes.</p><p>“Every single moment feels like horror to me… it’s genuinely terrifying. Haha,” she added.</p><p>Beyond the success of<em> No Prepare,</em> Lee Young Ji also achieved a breakthrough in music with the release of her 2024 hit song <strong>“Small Girl</strong>,<strong>”</strong> featuring <strong>EXO’s D.O. </strong>The track topped South Korean music charts and reached No. 38 on the <strong>Billboard Global 200</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780458240113Screenshot 2026-06-03 at 11.40.35 AM.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Mainstream</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Reflecting on the song’s success, Lee Young Ji shared how meaningful the achievement was for her, noting that “Small Girl” was deeply personal and inspired by her own experiences, ultimately describing it as a<strong> “self-tribute</strong>.<strong>”</strong></p><p>“I never expected so many people to love it this much. In his Oscars acceptance speech, filmmaker Bong Joon-ho mentioned that Martin Scorsese once said, ‘The most personal is the most creative.’ I think because I naturally and honestly revealed my own insecurities and emotional gaps through the song, many people were able to relate to it,” she added.</p><p>She also expressed her gratitude to D.O., praising the singer for his support throughout the project. “Even before the song was released and received all this love, he kept reassuring me throughout the whole process that the song would be loved. And of course, I don’t even need to mention how professional he was during the recording sessions and MV shoot. He was amazing. Doh Kyungsoo is the best.”</p><p>As of writing, the music video for “Small Girl” has surpassed 77 million views on YouTube and remains one of Lee Young Ji’s most popular songs on Spotify.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="925" height="525" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/11iZcYbq_is?si=eHY6fc_KmS51Q2Jm" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>On releasing her own music and the inspiration behind it<br/></strong></div><p>For years, Lee Young Ji has built a reputation not only as a rapper and performer but also as a songwriter known for her introspective, witty, and deeply personal lyrics. Since her debut, she has consistently written her own music, often drawing inspiration from her real-life experiences and emotions.</p><p>However, while many of her songs are rooted in her personal stories, Lee Young Ji shared that the people she has met and worked with throughout her career have also played a significant role in shaping her artistry.</p><p>Reflecting on her early years in the industry, the rapper admitted that she did not have one specific person she looked up to as a major influence. But after more than seven years in the music scene, that perspective has changed.</p><p>“Now that I’m actively working in music, I find myself constantly inspired by so many different artists. Their songwriting and composing styles, the way they promote their work, the way they communicate with people, their mindset—all of it inspires me. I take in both good examples and less successful ones, and learn from all of them.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780458293333Screenshot 2026-06-03 at 11.40.55 AM.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo courtesy of Mainstream</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>When asked to name an artist who has recently inspired her, Lee Young Ji pointed to Swedish singer-songwriter<strong> Zara Larsson</strong>. She shared that watching the singer’s career journey and resurgence, along with listening to her recent releases, has provided her with plenty of creative motivation.</p><p>The inspiration comes as Lee Young Ji recently released her latest single, <strong>&quot;</strong><strong>ROBOT</strong>,<strong>&quot;</strong> alongside the launch of her second world tour. Describing the track, she said it is a “cute love song about a robot that breaks down because it likes someone too much—a robot creaking and glitching its way through love.”</p><p>According to the artist, the song captures the feeling of becoming so obsessed with someone or something that your emotions go into overdrive, causing you to “malfunction” a little inside—a feeling she believes many people can relate to.</p><p>“Somehow I found that really adorable, and honestly, it reminded me a lot of how I act when I’m in love too. That’s what inspired the song! It’s a cute little track that can instantly brighten your mood,” she added.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1780457829252Artwork - Lee Young Ji - Robot.png" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Lee Young Ji&#x27;s &quot;ROBOT&quot; | Photo courtesy of Mainstream</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>On her involvement in the production process of her world tour<br/></strong></div><p>Last February, <strong>Mainstream</strong>, Lee Young Ji’s label, announced that the singer-songwriter would be embarking on her second world tour titled <strong>“LEE YOUNGJI Version 2.0</strong>,<strong>”</strong> which will span multiple cities including <strong>Seoul</strong>,<strong> Osaka</strong>,<strong> Tokyo</strong>,<strong> Hong Kong</strong>,<strong> Taipei</strong>,<strong> Berlin</strong>,<strong> London</strong>,<strong> Paris</strong>,<strong> </strong>and more.</p><p>As this marks her second global tour, Lee Young Ji shared that she has become far more involved in the production process this time around. “I’ve been involved in pretty much every part of the tour production process—special effects, lighting, dancers, choreography, music, stage design… everything.”</p><p>For her, this hands-on approach feels natural, as it is her own tour. She emphasized how the production team is investing time and resources to showcase her identity as an artist, and she feels compelled to give her absolute best to make the experience worthwhile.</p><p>“There isn’t one specific ‘special’ thing, but since the tour title is ‘2.0,’ I think the biggest highlight is that everyone will get to see an upgraded Version 2 of Lee Young Ji in every way possible. It’s going to be even bigger than people expect, so please come see it,” she added.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DUe5ExgkZ-E/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A346523%2C%22ls%22%3A346064%2C%22le%22%3A346518%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="926" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Alongside her ongoing world tour, Lee Young Ji also revealed that she is setting her sights on another major milestone: releasing her long-awaited full-length album. </p><p>“I still don’t have an official studio album yet, so I think that alone will feel like a whole new side of me for the fans. The version of Lee Young Ji as an artist with a full album—I think that’s something people can really look forward to,” she said.</p><p>To conclude the interview, she recalled her only visit to the Philippines during the<strong> 2023 Asia Artist Awards</strong> at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan, where she experienced the country’s warm weather and enjoyed its food. She also expressed hope of returning soon with friends, joking, “They better take me with them next time.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe data-testid="embed-iframe" style="border-radius:12px" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/artist/0Y2AcMPMpeuPXtPQGVvRBq?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="352" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo from <strong>Mainstream</strong></p>

<p>In an exclusive interview with METRO, Lee Young Ji looks back on her seven-year career in the industry, opening up about the intense preparation behind her second world tour.</p>

In an exclusive interview with METRO, Lee Young Ji looks back on her seven-year career in the industry, opening up about the intense preparation behind her second world tour.