Earlier this week, ITZY unveiled the pre-release music video for “Mr. Vampire” from their forthcoming album BORN TO BE. The track, being the second pre-release single following the album-titled song “Born To Be,” has heightened the anticipation for ITZY’s full album release and their title track “UNTOUCHABLE.” However, what truly took fans by surprise was the unexpected showcase of vocal prowess from a member typically known for her rapping skills.
| JYP Entertainment
ITZY, a group revered for their extraordinary dancing and captivating performances, is now receiving accolades for a different kind of talent. The spotlight shines on Ryujin, the group’s main rapper, dancer, and center, who is earning praise for her singing abilities.
| JYP Entertainment
Ryujin, primarily known as one of ITZY’s rappers — has rarely had the chance to display her vocal talent — with members Lia and Yeji predominantly handling the vocals. Though Ryujin’s singing moments in tracks like “Cheshire” and the Japanese single “Voltage” were memorable, they were brief.
THE WOMAN THAT YOU ARE, SHIN RYUJIN pic.twitter.com/HtqdCuFbBV
— ryujin pics (@ryujinpics) November 30, 2022
RYUJIN VOCAL IS SO GOOD pic.twitter.com/VAyojiHggn
— byul (@onlyforRyujin) March 22, 2022
Thus, her vocal performance in “Mr. Vampire” came as a delightful surprise to both fans and the general public.
| JYP Entertainment
In this track, Ryujin took on significant singing roles, including all three choruses, a verse, and a pre-chorus.
obsessed with ryujin’s chorus in mr. vampire,her vocals!! #ITZY_MrVampire pic.twitter.com/ntpu0BsBxA
— ryujin loops (@ryujinloops) January 1, 2024
Mr. Vampire 보컬 모음 #류진
노래 분위기 맞춰서 음색 나른한거 너무 좋고 박자 개잘타.. pic.twitter.com/gyVxPv2Kg5
— 룩 (@itmidzy_ryu) January 1, 2024
This marked “Mr. Vampire” as a song featuring some of Ryujin’s most extensive vocal contributions in ITZY’s discography. Netizens — ecstatic to see Ryujin’s vocal talents in the spotlight — expressed their amazement, with many stating they had never heard her sing like this before on a viral clip of her parts in the song.
i feel like i’ve never heard her sing before which can’t be true but her voice feels unfamiliar pic.twitter.com/QknP8tnrOx
— your celebratory oomf (@futchassemble) January 1, 2024
this song is so good omg and her voice is so heavenly she needs to sing more https://t.co/qX010w5K2O
— rey (@onesynkdive) January 2, 2024
Even the other ITZY members took note of Ryujin’s vocal performance, with Yeji praising her in a recent vlog.
yeji said ryujin’s singing improved in mr. vampire and ryujin was like “really?” pic.twitter.com/CoJcNbFuq5
— franzi (@shinjinnies) January 3, 2024
Ryujin’s vocal emergence doesn’t stop with “Mr. Vampire.” The album “BORN TO BE” appears to be a defining moment for her, as her singing also shone in the other pre-release track “Born To Be,” and notably in her solo track “Runaway.”
i kid you not before born to be era all her singing lines in itzy were usually harmonies she had to share with other members with little to no exception or just straight up talk-singing i hope they see we want more from vocalist ryujin and step it up cause she sounds too good pic.twitter.com/W4tNmqK98j
— ∞ (@mixxssemble) January 1, 2024
Her solo performance especially highlighted Ryujin’s versatility and growth as an artist, further endearing her to fans and music enthusiasts alike.
it takes one good track, fair line distribution, and ryujin singing in her range for people to realize how great of a vocalist she is despite her position as a rapper pic.twitter.com/HLGoJSdyDo
— franzi (@shinjinnies) January 2, 2024
Ryujin getting more singing lines scare me…coz I’m a sucker for vocals and as if her dancing, rapping, charisma, and visuals weren’t enough already, you add in those sweet vocals and she’s just getting to me too much. I can see why she said this is her fave. 🫠🥲 https://t.co/hdwhZT36yy
— Wendy’s Rain Stops (@bprvsupremacy) January 1, 2024
Ryujin has some of the best vocals out there it’s about time her due credit is given in the form of vocal lines pic.twitter.com/kC2M7B9hN9
— UNTØUCHABLE (@yunaqueenka) January 1, 2024
2024 is actually ryujin’s year like finally a good rap, good line distribution, good center, people outside the fandom praising her and knowing her worth, and now a show that she wants to be in is finally given to her by div2 RYUJIN GONNA BE IN EUNCHAE DIARY ICB THIS pic.twitter.com/DISd1N7y9S
— chellie ≷ (@ketchupryujin) January 2, 2024
With Ryujin’s newfound recognition as a vocalist, fans are eagerly awaiting more opportunities for her to showcase her singing in “Untouchable” and future ITZY releases. Her evolving role within the group not only highlights her individual talent but also adds a new dimension to ITZY’s already dynamic musical style.
As Ryujin continues to surprise and delight fans with her vocal skills, the anticipation for ITZY’s future projects grows ever stronger, promising a new era of musical exploration and artistic growth for the group.
