A Global Force: (G)I-DLE's Yuqi Cements Her Solo Status with 'Motivation'
With record-breaking sales, international chart dominance, and praise from Forbes, (G)I-DLE's Yuqi proves her power as a solo artist with her self-composed single 'Motivation'.
(G)I-DLE’s Yuqi is proving she is a global force to be reckoned with, both in her group and as a solo artist. Her first single album, ‘Motivation,’ has achieved massive success since its release, dominating charts in Korea and abroad and earning praise from international media like Forbes.
This isn’t just a successful comeback; it’s a powerful statement from a singer-songwriter who is confidently carving out her own path.
Dominating the Charts
The numbers speak for themselves. According to Hanteo Chart, ‘Motivation’ recorded an incredible 414,547 copies sold in its first week, landing Yuqi the #1 spot on the weekly album chart. This continues the powerful sales streak she started with her first mini-album, ‘YUQ1,’ which became a half-million seller last year.
The single’s success extends to digital charts and streaming platforms:
- The title track, “M.O.,” hit #1 on the real-time chart of the Korean streaming site Bugs.
- In China, the album topped the daily bestseller charts on both QQ Music and Kugou Music, earning a Gold certification on QQ Music.
- The “M.O.” music video became the #1 most-watched video on YouTube in its first 24 hours.
An Artist in Control
What makes this achievement even more impressive is Yuqi’s deep involvement in the music itself. She is credited as a writer and composer on all three tracks of the single: the title track “M.O.,” the B-side “아프다 (Hurts),” and its Chinese version, “还痛吗 (Hái tòng ma).”
By exploring genres from hip-hop to rock, Yuqi showcased a vastly expanded musical spectrum. This artistic ownership did not go unnoticed. Forbes praised her “ever-more-confident attitude,” noting that “M.O.” draws from ’90s boom-bap hip-hop to channel her “autonomy and fearless nature.” UK’s Clash magazine and Italy’s Panorama magazine also lauded her skills as a singer-songwriter, highlighting her evolution from a performer to a global artist shaping her own career.
A Star in Her Own Right
While achieving incredible solo success, Yuqi continues to reach new heights with (G)I-DLE, who recently won the prestigious Grand Prize (Daesang) at the Seoul Music Awards. Her ability to excel in both group and solo activities solidifies her status as one of the industry’s most dynamic talents.
To celebrate the release, Yuqi is currently connecting with fans across Asia through her ‘YUQI 1st Single [Motivation] POP-UP’ tour, which is making stops in seven cities.
With ‘Motivation,’ Yuqi has done more than just release a hit single—she has cemented her identity as a powerful, self-sufficient artist with a clear vision and a global audience ready to listen.