DAYOUNG 'What's a girl to do' (2026)

What is DAYOUNG WJSN What's a Girl to Do?

What's a Girl to Do is the second digital single by Dayoung, member of K-pop girl group WJSN (Cosmic Girls), released on April 7, 2026. The two-song project features the title track "What's a Girl to Do" and B-side "Priceless (kaching kaching)," serving as a follow-up to her solo debut single "gonna love me, right?" from September 2025.

The release marks Dayoung's first comeback as a solo artist during her 10th anniversary year with WJSN, following the success of her debut title track "Body". Both the album and its title song explore the emotional experience of wanting to linger in someone's thoughts, depicting chance encounters that feel intentional and the act of making excuses to maintain proximity to someone intriguing. The lyrics capture candid thoughts and actions that occur when longing for someone, delivered through Dayoung's husky vocals layered over a danceable beat.

Dayoung participated directly in writing lyrics and composition for both tracks, collaborating with global writers including Eric Nam. The project demonstrates a sonic shift from her debut, leaning into R&B territory with softer, more relaxed rhythms compared to the high-energy dance beats of "Body". The release positions her continued evolution as a solo artist distinct from her established image within WJSN.

Background and release of What's a Girl to Do

Dayoung's solo debut with 'Body'

Dayoung launched her solo career on September 9, 2025 with the digital single "gonna love me, right?" under Starship Entertainment. The release featured three tracks: title song "Body," along with "number one rockstar" and "marry me". "Body" achieved significant commercial success, climbing to No. 9 on streaming platform Melon's Top 100 song chart and reaching No. 17 on the monthly chart. The track secured Dayoung her first music show win on SBS's "The Show" just 14 days after debut. The song accumulated over 10 million cumulative streams and earned recognition from international media including NME, Billboard, and The Hollywood Reporter.

Announcement and teaser campaign

Starship Entertainment announced Dayoung's comeback on March 22, 2026 through official social media channels with a teaser image featuring the phrase "What's a girl to do" and an April release window. On April 1, a TikTok video formally confirmed the April 7 release date for her second digital single. The first music video teaser appeared on April 2, featuring Shiloh Jolie, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, in a cameo role. A second teaser followed on April 7, showcasing choreography elements.

April 2026 release

The single released on April 7, 2026 at 6 p.m. KST across music platforms. Shiloh Jolie's participation resulted from an open audition conducted in the United States for music video performers, with participants from dance crew "Culture". Starship Entertainment stated they discovered Jolie's celebrity parentage only after filming concluded.

Musical direction and sound

Shift from 'Body' to R&B

Rather than building directly on the high-energy dance beats that defined "Body," the release takes a deliberate turn toward R&B territory with softer, more relaxed rhythms. Dayoung explained she viewed the momentum behind her debut as an opportunity to showcase range instead of replication, comparing the decision to producing a film sequel where strong follow-ups often struggle to surpass the original's impact. The sonic direction draws from early-2000s R&B that shaped her trainee years, specifically referencing artists including Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys, Brandy, and Monica. The title track employs a slower tempo and restrained mood compared to the upbeat dance-pop structure of her debut.

Dayoung's creative involvement

Dayoung expanded her role as a solo artist by participating in writing and composing both tracks on the release. She described increased confidence in her songwriting process, supported by her music team and A&R department. Her working methodology follows a two-step approach: completing the song composition first before addressing performance elements separately.

Performance and choreography approach

The choreography emphasizes fast footwork and continuous movement, designed to maintain visual engagement despite the gentler musical flow. Accordingly, different choreography versions exist for the music video versus broadcast performances, with Dayoung noting the stylistic variations as deliberate details.

Track list and music video

Title track: What's a Girl to Do

The title track runs 2:10 and conveys the complex emotions that arise when developing feelings for someone, expressed with candid honesty. Dayoung participated in writing and composing alongside BOYCOLD, KWACA, DCF, Kristin Carpenter, Eric Nam, and EVAN. The lyrics depict scenarios of wanting to linger in someone's thoughts through deliberate actions, including hiding clothes as excuses for future visits.

B-side: Priceless (Kaching Kaching)

The B-side "Priceless (kaching kaching)" runs 2:47 and features the same collaborative writing and composition team. Dayoung contributed to both lyrics and composition, maintaining creative consistency across the release.

Music video production and cast

Shiloh Jolie, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, appears throughout the music video as a backup dancer, credited as "Shi". She secured the role through an open audition conducted in the United States, competing alongside members of the Culture dance crew. Starship Entertainment confirmed they discovered her identity only after filming concluded, with the selection based solely on performance merit. The visual production deliberately avoided CGI effects, prioritizing grounded aesthetics over digital enhancements. The styling incorporated early-2000s influences reminiscent of Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.

Reception and career impact

Fan response and expectations

Listener reception reflected divided opinions regarding the sonic departure from her debut. Some fans embraced the R&B direction, drawing comparisons to Western artists Tinashe and Ciara, while others expressed disappointment over the track's abbreviated length and absence of a vocal bridge. Critics noted the production felt dated yet appreciated Starship Entertainment's continued investment in her solo trajectory. Fans recognized her establishment of a distinct aesthetic within the female soloist landscape, filling a gap for swag-oriented pop performers distinct from elegant or cute-concept artists. Despite mixed reactions to the stylistic shift, audiences acknowledged her deliberate choice to showcase range rather than replicate her debut's formula.

Dayoung's goals as a solo artist

Following the success of "Body," Dayoung reported her confidence increased from zero to 70 percent. She identified her primary objective as delivering positive influence through music, expressing desire to act with responsibility and provide good energy to listeners. Fans increasingly identified her as a role model, a responsibility she acknowledged seriously. She emphasized consistency, honesty, and passion as core values guiding her artistic direction, prioritizing creation of enduring music over immediate commercial metrics. Her performance calendar includes Waterbomb festival in July, with aspirations to remain active as a musician and performer indefinitely. She stated her goal involves people thinking about her constantly, reflecting ambitions for sustained cultural presence.

FAQS

When did Dayoung achieve her first music show win?

Dayoung secured her first music show win on SBS's "The Show" 14 days after her solo debut in September 2025. She recalled the moment as validating her ability to continue making music, specifically noting her crew members crying and directors running from editing rooms to congratulate her.

Does Dayoung listen to her own music frequently?

Dayoung replays her own songs extensively after release, describing them as her babies and expressing genuine affection for all tracks from her first solo single album.

What musical styles does Dayoung plan to explore next?

Dayoung expressed interest in pursuing duet collaborations, believing her high and soft voice complements male voices well. She specifically wants to explore Latin-inspired styles, citing Katseye's "Gabriela" as a song she listens to more than 10 times daily.

Is Dayoung working on new music?

Dayoung confirmed plans for a summer song, stating "Body" works for hours between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., while "What's a Girl to Do" suits 7 p.m. to 4 a.m., leaving remaining hours for future releases.

How does Dayoung view her responsibility as a role model?

Fans increasingly identify Dayoung as a role model, a responsibility she takes seriously. She aims to provide courage and inspiration through perseverance, wanting her success in completing promotional activities to serve as examples for others.