CHAEYOUNG's AVOCADO: The Hidden Story Behind Her Bold Solo Debut

CHAEYOUNG's debut solo track "AVOCADO" featuring Gliiico has garnered nearly one million streams on Spotify, amassing an impressive 975,685 plays since its release. The catchy single, which includes playful lyrics like "You look like a bad one, avocado," dropped on August 31, 2025, marking a significant milestone in her career.

As a prominent member of TWICE, Son Chaeyoung has taken a bold step into solo territory with her first album "LIL FANTASY vol.1". This collection, which includes "AVOCADO" and other tracks like "SHOOT (Firecracker)," showcases her artistic vision outside the group dynamic. The contrast between fruit metaphors in lyrics such as "Let's call it strawberry, blueberry" and the song's title creates an intriguing musical narrative that has captivated listeners.

The rise of CHAEYOUNG as a solo artist

After nearly a decade with TWICE, CHAEYOUNG has stepped into the spotlight with her first solo album. The 26-year-old rapper-singer became the fourth member of the nine-woman supergroup to release a solo project, following Nayeon, Jihyo, and Tzuyu.

From TWICE to solo: a new chapter

CHAEYOUNG's solo journey represents a deeply personal artistic expression. Unlike her group work, "LIL FANTASY vol.1" showcases her individual creative vision with writing credits on every track. "I filled the album with my tastes, thoughts and attitude," she explained through JYP Entertainment. Furthermore, she aimed to present "an album that shows everything that makes up the person CHAEYOUNG", highlighting her evolution from group member to independent artist.

Why now was the right time for her debut

Although the timing appears deliberate—preceding TWICE's 10th anniversary—CHAEYOUNG describes it as "serendipitous coincidence". The album took approximately 2-3 years to complete, with one year of active development preceded by two years of conceptualization. "I needed the time to really come to understand who I am," she admitted. Initially planned for April, the release was postponed to allow her to invest more effort into the project.

How fans reacted to the announcement

News of CHAEYOUNG's solo venture sparked "intense global fan interest". Her fellow TWICE members also embraced her artistic direction. "The members appreciated the music and concepts that reflect my style, feeling as proud as I do, which gave me great strength," she shared. Additionally, when she debuted "My Guitar" during TWICE's Ready to Be tour, fans responded enthusiastically, giving her confidence in her solo material.

Breaking down 'AVOCADO': lyrics and meaning

The opening track of "LIL FANTASY vol.1" carries deeper meaning than its quirky title suggests. "AVOCADO" represents CHAEYOUNG's artistic rebirth through carefully crafted metaphors and intimate revelations.

The metaphor behind the title

CHAEYOUNG deliberately chose "AVOCADO" as a reimagining of the biblical forbidden fruit. "I wanted to go back to the very beginning of things – there was Adam and Eve, who came upon an apple. I wanted my song to have a symbol like an apple, but I didn't want to use an apple," she explained. This symbolic choice creates her personal Genesis story, effectively serving as "her introduction to her world and everything in it". Moreover, she selected the fruit partly because "hearing the title 'AVOCADO' makes people curious about what it's about".

Themes of vulnerability and self-image

The dreamy R&B-tinged track reveals vulnerability through lyrics like "Believe me, Deceive me, See me as yours". These lines could be interpreted as addressing both possessive relationships and obsessive fans. The atmospheric production complements lyrics that speak of "temptation and desire", creating a Wonderland-like environment with both allure and underlying darkness.

How the lyrics reflect CHAEYOUNG's personality

The song's lyrics mirror CHAEYOUNG's artistic personality - curious yet deliberate. Lines like "I've come to wonderland, no looking back" reflect her commitment to this new solo path. Consequently, her choice of imagery - burying the avocado underground yet feeling drawn to it - parallels her journey of revealing her true self after years within a group dynamic. The track's hazy, psychedelic quality showcases her preference for bedroom-pop aesthetics over typical K-pop sounds.

The creative team behind the track

Behind "AVOCADO" stands a creative partnership that blends diverse musical backgrounds. The track's unique sound emerged from a collaboration that perfectly complements CHAEYOUNG's artistic vision.

Featuring Gliiico: a unique collaboration

The Tokyo-based band Gliiico plays a crucial role in shaping "AVOCADO." Comprising three Canadian brothers—Kio, Kai, and Nico de Torres—who relocated to Japan, Gliiico brings their signature bedroom pop style to the track. Notably, while credited as featured artists, they don't provide vocals on the released version, fueling speculation about a potential extended cut.

Role of Nico, Kio, and Kai de Torres in production

Each brother contributed distinct elements to the song's production. Nico served as vocal director and handled all instruments, while Kai provided background vocals and drums. As producers, they crafted the track's dreamy, neo-soul soundscape that departs from typical K-pop formulas. Prior to working with CHAEYOUNG, the brothers gained recognition in Japan's music scene, even starring in a campaign for Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo.

CHAEYOUNG's hands-on involvement in songwriting

CHAEYOUNG maintained substantial creative control throughout the production process. "I think CHAEYOUNG really got full creative control of this whole album," noted fans after release. In fact, she served as producer, vocal director, and vocal arranger, drawing inspiration from personal memos and diaries. "The way I make a song is that I begin with the track and what kind of mood I want to use or vibe that I want to deliver," she explained.

Mixing and mastering: the final polish

Ultimately, James Fouren handled mixing, editing, and mastering, while Shin Bongwon created the immersive mix. This technical expertise enhanced the track's atmospheric qualities, preserving its intimate, handcrafted feel.

How 'AVOCADO' fits into LIL FANTASY vol.1

"LIL FANTASY vol.1" represents far more than a collection of songs—it embodies CHAEYOUNG's inner world made tangible through music and visuals.

The album's concept and visual identity

At its core, "LIL FANTASY" symbolizes the intimate world inside CHAEYOUNG herself. She describes this debut as a "little fantasy castle" in her mind, where each song serves as a door to different aspects of her personality. Remarkably, most album visuals originated from her own drawings, extending across eight physical versions: Glimmer, Murmur, Sparkle, Canvas, three vinyl editions, and Platform Nemo.

Connection to other tracks like 'SHOOT (Firecracker)'

CHAEYOUNG strategically positioned "AVOCADO" as the album opener precisely because "it sets the mood for the entire album". In contrast, she selected "SHOOT (Firecracker)"—a jazz and disco-influenced dance track—as the title track to bridge her established image with her evolving artistry. "It conveys my aspirations and the message, 'Let's light fireworks and enjoy a party. Let's celebrate,'" she explains.

What this album says about CHAEYOUNG's artistic direction

Throughout the creation process, CHAEYOUNG applied rigorous standards: songs needed to "reflect my taste, be cool, and deliver a message that I wanted to share with the world". Hence, rather than departing from her TWICE identity, the album offers a detailed map into her interior landscape. The "vol.1" designation pointedly signals that "this is not the end".