by Nush Sikdar
The Kpop industry is oversaturated with group after group simply replicating whatever concepts and genres are popular, in the hopes that doing so might finally push them into the spotlight. However, there are a select few groups and soloists who are breaking this mold to pursue a storyline with their music that resonates with their fans. One of these artists is Yukika.
A scene from Yukika’s “Neon” music video.
Yukika is a 28-year-old solo artist from Japan who is known best for her activities as a solo artist in the Kpop industry. Her music falls under the genre of City Pop, which originated in Japan in the ‘70s and peaked in the ‘80s. Despite City Pop’s birth in Japan and Yukika being Japanese herself, her releases are all in Korean, as she’s always promoted under Korean entertainment companies. However, especially in 2020 and 2021 Kpop, the industry has seen a huge rise in the number of retro-themed comebacks, which means smaller artists such as Yukika will be drowned out by the releases of bigger groups. So, amidst an underfished sea of talent, what makes Yukika stand out?
Yukika’s concept is especially intriguing because she builds a story through her music videos and albums. While she is far from being the first Kpop artist to do so—groups such as BTS and Loona have also created a running storyline through their art— her concept is unique in how it leans into the genre of music she creates. Her music videos depict the story of a Japanese singer who was at the height of her career in the 80s. Her debut single, “Neon,” follows a current day fanboy trying to bring her into the present, and by the end of the video, he succeeds. Her subsequent music videos follow the now displaced pop star’s attempts at understanding modern Seoul. The extra photocards and accessories that came as part of her physical album, “Soul Lady,” further developed this concept, which included a passport that documents her journey from Tokyo to Seoul among various other pieces to the puzzle.
Other groups that tell a story through their visual materials keep their art parallel to their music. Yukika, on the other hand, blends the two together in a seamless and beautiful manner. While the music videos and physical albums are only a supplement to the music for most groups, the relationship is symbiotic in the case of Yukika.
Unfortunately, Yukika’s storyline was cut short after her contract with her label, Estimate Entertainment, expired. But fret not! After a short return to her mother country, Yukika ultimately decided that her place was in the Korean music industry, and she signed with another label, Seoul Music. She has continued creating city pop, now leaning even further into the genre. Her sound has evolved into one that is more mature, and many fans call it “more Yukika.” She has released an EP titled “timeabout,” (stylized as written here), and continues to see more and more success with every release.
In the context of the Kpop industry as a whole, Yukika is incredibly underrated given what she’s created in her career thus far. With a flawless discography, powerful stage presence, incredible visuals, and bubbling personality, Yukika is an artist to follow.