Girls’ Generation member Taeyeon made her solo debut in 2015 with the extended play I. Since then, the award-winning K-pop soloist has released several chart-topping albums and extended plays, including My Voice and Why.
Among several talented K-pop vocalists who have successfully carved a solo career for their music and thrived in a group, Kim Taeyeon’s artistry has stood out with her humility. Taeyeon’s songs carry a range of raw emotions that fans can easily connect with.
Be it a story of heartbreak or the act of moving on from a past relationship, Taeyeon never glosses over uncomfortable details; instead, she paints them with heart-wrenching sentiments relatable to many. So here we are looking at some of Taeyeon’s most critically acclaimed extended plays and albums, which showcase her finest music.
My Voice
Taeyeon‘s first full-length studio album, My Voice, remains one of her best-released albums. The album was released on February 28, 2017, incorporating several genres, including pop, R&B, and pop rock. It contained 12 tracks in the digital edition and 17 in the deluxe edition.
The album was number one on the Gaon (renamed as Circle) Album Chart, with over 109,275 copies sold within days of its release. The album also won the Album Bonsang award at the 2018 Golden Disc Awards. Along with commercial performances, Taeyeon’s My Voice made it to the list of multiple yearly best K-pop albums, including Billboard’s 20 Best K-Pop Albums 2017.
Why
Taeyeon collaborated with Lee Sooman, the founder of SM Entertainment, for the chart-topping 2016 mini-album Why. Girls Generations star Hyoyeon was also featured in the EP. Why contained seven tracks, including the pre-released single “Starlight” and the title track, “Why.”
The EP sold over 112,754 copies within weeks of its release and peaked at number 1 on South Korea’s Gaon Album Chart and number 2 on the US World Chart. It is one of Taeyeon’s earliest solo albums, proving her potential as a rising solo artist. Music critic Lee Seo-Jin hailed the album’s ‘addictive’ quality in the Korea JoongAng Daily.
Purpose
The second studio album of Tayeon, Purpose, released on October 28, 2019, solidified her position as a South Korean soloist. The original version of the album contained ten tracks, and the repackaged version had sixteen tracks.
From her usual pop sound, Taeyeon delved deep into the alternative soul pop genre in Purpose, which stunned the listeners. The sonic cohesiveness of the songwriting became one of the most talked about points of the 2019 release, lending it to its success. The album ranked number 2 on Gaon Album Chart with over 172,000 sales of the physical edition and stood at ninth on the US World Chart.
What Do I Call You
Taeyeon’s 2020 EP What Do I Call You is one of the most melancholic masterpieces of K-pop. The album explores the aftermath of a breakup as Taeyeon wonders what to name a long-lost love.
The title track of the mini album of the same name comes with a music video that draws inspiration from Eternal Sunshine Of a Spotless Mind, which received over 16 million views. The album sold over 127,000 copies, ranking 4th on the Gaon Album Chart.
Music critic Hannah Weiss praised Taeyeon’s vocal maturity in the album: “With its chill soundscape and airy vocals, What Do I Call You is the perfect soundtrack to close 2020. The album examines loneliness, desire, and regret through a soft filter, sharing a touch of warmth to carry us through this winter.”
To. X
Taeyeon’s To. X is the latest release, which dropped on November 27, 2023. The mini-album delves deep into Taeyeon’s emotional maturity. In To. X, Taeyeon is bold enough to take her space after toiling over a fruitless bond. In the title track of the same name, the K-pop queen announces her brave declaration, “Even the long late night call/ I’ve gotten tired of it now// Every day, every night/ I want to fill it with myself.”
The mini-album sold over 155,027 copies in South Korea, ranking number 2 on the Circle Album Chart. It also peaked at number 20 on Billboard’s Top Japan Download chart. The MV of the title track garnered over 15 million views on YouTube within four months of its release.
INVU
Taeyeon’s most recent studio album, INVU, has been a fan favorite since its release on February 14, 2022. The studio album is a clear example of Taeyeon’s ability to impart profound knowledge of human emotions without making it preachy. Taeyeon’s honest approach to love in INVU struck a chord with fans who can easily call the archive a mirror reflection of their own feelings.
Commercially, the album became one of Taeyeon’s best-selling projects. It sold over 248,000 copies in South Korea. INVU ranked at number 2 on the Circle Album Chart. Besides, it also snagged a place in Time’s The Best K-Pop Songs and Albums of 2022.
Along with its chart performance and critical acclaim, INVU received nods at four major K-pop award ceremonies. The album was nominated for the 2022 MAMA Awards, Melon Music Awards, Genie Music Awards, and Korean Music Awards.
