It’s so touching – as a longtime fan, I’m so moved that Yonghwa is back with his 3rd mini album One Last Day. The last time he released a mini album was in 2023 with Your City, so it’s been two years. Now he’s returned with refreshing music, and after listening to the full album, starting from the intro, it already feels deep and emotional. I thought, wow, Yonghwa’s music becomes more mature with every release. It truly shows his growth and reflects his 10-year journey as a solo artist.
Yes, this album marks the 10th anniversary of his solo debut, which began with his first album One Fine Day in 2015. That was such a huge and brilliant album – so good, with many collaborations with big-name artists. Now, he’s back with a more trendy yet mature sound – electronic, jazzy, and cool vibes. It suits him perfectly at this stage in his life and career.
According to the description in the “Night Runner (Shooting Star)” MV – the title track from One Last Day – this new album centers around the concept of space: a word that signifies both the universe and a place of belonging. It reflects the message Jung Yonghwa wants to share through this release. With One Last Day, he explores the vast potential of his musical universe, expressing not only the inner world of an artist but also the emotional space he shares with his fans.
I believe Yonghwa truly poured his heart into this album. He wrote all the songs except for the intro. He shared that the title track “Night Runner (Shooting Star)” was written during a difficult time earlier this year when he had to undergo knee surgery. The condition had worsened, and rest was unavoidable. “Night Runner (Shooting Star)” compares falling stars- carrying people’s wishes – to a “Night Runner,” symbolizing the life of an entertainer who brings hope and dreams. Even if he disappears from the night sky someday, the message is that he will live on in the hearts of his fans. It’s such a heartfelt and honest story. (Source: Daum.) Truly deep and meaningful.
The MV is super cool. It was filmed in New York during CNBLUE’s Voyage Into X tour. The concept feels like Yonghwa singing alone at night in a car, a bar, and across the city – with no one else around. The lights and flashes seem to represent the fleeting fame of an entertainer who may someday vanish from the night sky, in my opinion. “The lights go down, stars come out.” Visually, it fits the song well. The cinematography is beautifully done.
- Intro
The first time I listened to this, it was incredibly emotional. I could really feel the depth – it made me want to immediately move to the next track. It transitions seamlessly into Night Runner, and the connection between them is strong. - Night Runner (Shooting Star)
Choosing this as the title track was a great decision. The mature jazzy sound, the choir on the “Stay… Stay” part – everything is so well done. I especially love that part. It also sounds like a very challenging song to sing, but Yonghwa really knows how to showcase his vocal strength here. - Would You
Minhyuk’s favorite! He once played this song in his car on his blog last year, I believe. He got to hear it before the fans did, haha. Yonghwa also sang it during his 2023 concert – there’s a clip of that too. I’m not entirely sure about the lyrics, but it seems like a love song. The vibe is so cool – very danceable. You really can’t help but move to it! - Almost Forever
My favorite song on the album – at least for now (might change tomorrow, haha). It’s a pop ballad that feels modern and trendy, and it’s sung entirely in English. It really captures the heart – so emotional for me. The vocals are amazing, and the song is incredibly engaging. Honestly, it should’ve been charting. - Espresso Martini
A shift in mood here – this song reminds me of “One Your Time” from the Your City album. After the emotional Almost Forever, this track brings a chill, relaxing vibe. Kind of like sipping an espresso martini at night, maybe? I love it. - Love Me Baby Love Me (LMBLM)
Another chill track. Every time I hear this one, it makes me smile 🙂 If I’m not mistaken, Yonghwa said during the Night Live session that he wrote this song last year while in LA during a songwriting camp. He said it came together very quickly – and it definitely has that laid-back LA vibe. - RED
Jungshin’s favorite! It’s really good – one of my favorites too. Yonghwa said this song feels the most like him! The music has an electronic edge and feels fresh and unique. I really like it
Yonghwa also worked with many talented composers from different genres, and you can feel that diversity in this album. From the intro to the last track, the flow is incredible. It transitions from deep emotional pop to chill modern vibes like RED. He said he really put thought into the arrangement of the songs – and it shows.
As a fan, I’m incredibly proud of Yonghwa. Releasing this album is a major milestone in his career. He shared that he’s now in a stable place – mentally, physically, and emotionally. He created this album to share his music with fans and to celebrate his 10th anniversary as a solo artist. It’s even been described as the most Yonghwa album yet. Great job, Yonghwa. We’re always on your side.
There are three album versions this time: Photobook ver., Jewel Case ver., and Nemoz ver. I already pre-ordered mine and can’t wait to receive them!
There won’t be any music show promotions this time, but we’ll get to enjoy plenty of great content from Yonghwa on YouTube. I love that he also held a Night Live Session on the day he released the album. Really hope they’ll upload it to YouTube too, so we can watch it again! It felt like an intimate concert – he performed in front of a small group of fans, shared behind-the-scenes stories from the album, and even did a Q&A. So special.
Hope you all enjoy this album as much as I do – it truly feels like one of his masterpieces. It’s available on all streaming platforms!
Pictures: FNC ent / CNBLUE official X
Bonus: Would You live clip from 2024 JUNG YONG HWA LIVE ‘YOUR CITY’ IN SEOUL