K-Pop2026-05-18·8 min read

ITZY Motto Is Out Today: The Album That Brings the Tour Home

ITZY's 12th mini album 'Motto' drops today with 5 solo tracks fans have been waiting for since the TUNNEL VISION tour. Here's the full breakdown of what MIDZYs are finally getting.

ITZY's "Motto" is here. Released today, May 18, 2026 at 6 p.m. KST, the 12th mini album from JYP Entertainment's five-member group represents more than a standard comeback. For fans who caught the TUNNEL VISION world tour, this album finally delivers what they've been requesting since February: studio versions of the five solo tracks performed live in Seoul, Melbourne, and Sydney.

The album structure tells the story. Eight tracks total: the title track "Motto," two group B-sides ("Glitch" and "you And I"), and five individual solos — one from each member. Yeji's "Pocket," Lia's "Asylum," Ryujin's "LOOK," Chaeryeong's "Undefined," and Yuna's "Tangerine" are now available on streaming platforms for the first time.

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The Solo Tracks: From Tour Exclusive to Streaming

The TUNNEL VISION world tour launched February 13-15, 2026 at Seoul's Jamsil Indoor Stadium with three consecutive nights. The tour continued to Melbourne's John Cain Arena on April 17 and Sydney's TikTok Entertainment Center on April 19. At each stop, fans witnessed something unprecedented: five solo performances that existed only in the live context.

Until today.

Yeji — "Pocket"

ITZY's leader opens the solo section with "Pocket," a track that reportedly showcases the performance power she's known for. As the group's main dancer and lead vocalist, Yeji's solo sets the tone for what follows. The studio version allows fans to catch vocal details that concert acoustics might have obscured.

Lia — "Asylum"

Lia's contribution, "Asylum," represents a different energy. Known for her vocal tone and stability, Lia's solo track gives her space to demonstrate range beyond ITZY's group material. The title suggests introspection — a contrast to the high-energy performances typically associated with the group.

Ryujin — "LOOK"

Ryujin's "LOOK" arrives with significant anticipation. Her stage presence and rap delivery made her solo performance a tour highlight for many attendees. The studio version captures the swagger that translated so effectively to live audiences across three countries.

Chaeryeong — "Undefined"

Chaeryeong's "Undefined" plays on her reputation as a dancer's dancer. The title itself suggests refusal of easy categorization — fitting for a performer whose skills span multiple disciplines. The track reportedly emphasizes rhythmic complexity that rewards repeated listening.

Yuna — "Tangerine"

Closing the solo sequence, Yuna's "Tangerine" brings a different flavor. As the group's maknae, her solo represents growth from the youngest member into a distinct artistic identity. The citrus-themed title suggests brightness with potential bite.

Hear every solo track with perfectly synced lyrics

From Yeji's "Pocket" to Yuna's "Tangerine," follow every word as ITZY performs their first-ever official solo releases.

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The Title Track: "Motto"

The album's lead single and namesake arrives with a visual concept that matches its surrealist ambitions. The trailer, directed by Léa Esmaili, features imagery that defies straightforward interpretation: a bumblebee positioned on a ladder, a limousine suspended in midair, members balancing on hoops, balls, a horse, and a fire hydrant. The ladder rails form the word "MOTTO" — a visual puzzle that rewards attention.

This surrealist approach extends to the lyrics. The concept emphasizes individual identity — five distinct mottos rather than a single unified brand line. For a group known since their February 12, 2019 debut with "Dalla Dalla" for confident, self-assured messaging, "Motto" represents evolution without abandonment of core identity.

The production team includes familiar names: Shim Eun-ji, Lee Woo-min (collapsedone), KASS, and Justin Reinstein. These are professionals who understand how to build tracks that work both as recorded material and as foundations for live performance — essential for a group currently mid-tour.

The B-Sides: Completing the Picture

Beyond the title track and solos, "Motto" includes three additional group tracks that round out the listening experience.

"Glitch"

Positioned early in the tracklist, "Glitch" reportedly deals with digital-age disconnection and technological mediation of relationships. The title suggests interference, errors, moments where communication breaks down — themes that resonate with a generation raised on screens.

"you And I"

The capitalization in the title — lowercase "you," capitalized "And I" — hints at the track's thematic concerns. Relationships where one party diminishes themselves, where connection requires self-effacement. The lowercase "you" suggests distance, formality, or perhaps deference.

The "That's A No No" Moment: Catalog Depth Revealed

The "Motto" release arrives in the wake of an unexpected viral moment that demonstrates ITZY's catalog runs deeper than casual observers might assume.

"That's A No No," a B-side from their 2020 "IT'z ME" album, had never been performed live until the February 2026 Seoul tour opener. The performance sparked the "Daechu No No" dance challenge across social media platforms. The track jumped from outside the top 900 to the Melon Top 100 in March 2026 — six years after its original release.

This resurgence matters for several reasons. It proves ITZY's early material maintains relevance. It shows the TUNNEL VISION tour's cultural impact extends beyond ticket sales. And it establishes that "Motto" enters a landscape where audiences are actively rediscovering the group's entire discography.

Tour Context: Album as Continuation

Releasing "Motto" mid-tour rather than at the tour's conclusion signals confidence. ITZY isn't waiting for the TUNNEL VISION run to end before delivering new material. They're adding to the setlist in real-time, giving returning fans reason to attend multiple shows and giving first-time attendees the most current possible experience.

The tour's next leg will presumably incorporate "Motto" material immediately. The solo tracks that fans previously experienced only as live exclusives now become singalong moments with released reference points. The title track becomes the show's centerpiece. The B-sides fill out the setlist between hits.

The Six-Month Gap: Strategic Timing

"Motto" follows "TUNNEL VISION," released November 2025 — approximately six months prior. This gap represents standard K-pop scheduling: long enough to build anticipation, short enough to maintain momentum. The timing also aligns with festival season and summer touring schedules in target markets.

The US physical album and "Motto" remix release on May 22, 2026 — four days after the Korean digital drop — demonstrates continued prioritization of the American market. ITZY's international expansion, ongoing since their debut, receives structural support through staggered release strategies.

How to Follow Along: Real-Time Lyrics

ITZY's music presents specific challenges for listeners wanting to sing along. The group's rapid choreography requires precise breath control that affects vocal delivery. Their bilingual approach — Korean verses, English hooks, code-switching mid-line — demands attention to language transitions. The solo tracks, in particular, showcase individual vocal colors that differ from the blended group sound.

The Value of Synchronization

Static lyric sheets capture words but not timing. When does Yeji's rap verse transition to the chorus? How does Lia phrase that sustained note? Where exactly does the Korean-to-English switch happen?

Lyrical displays lyrics word-by-word as performed. For "Motto's" complex rhythmic structures, this timing proves essential. You see the syllable highlighted precisely when it's sung.

Romanization for Learning

For MIDZYs learning Korean, ITZY's music offers excellent practice material. The clear enunciation, the repetition in choruses, the mix of simple and complex vocabulary — all facilitate language acquisition. "Motto" as a title itself is an accessible entry point: recognizable, memorable, easy to pronounce.

The solo tracks add variety. Each member's vocal style presents Korean differently. Yeji's precision, Lia's tone, Ryujin's rhythm, Chaeryeong's flow, Yuna's brightness — five approaches to the same language. Following along with Romanization reveals these differences while building familiarity with Hangul.

Follow ITZY's "Motto" with perfectly synced lyrics

From the title track to all 5 solo songs, see every word as ITZY performs — Korean, Romanized, and in real-time.

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The Countdown Live: Building Anticipation

Today's 5 p.m. KST comeback countdown live served as the album's official launch event. These broadcasts have become standard K-pop practice: a structured reveal of new material, member commentary, and fan interaction that builds algorithmic momentum for release hour.

For "Motto," the countdown carried additional weight. Fans who attended the TUNNEL VISION tour finally received what they'd been requesting. The six-month wait between tour performances and studio releases created pent-up demand that the countdown channeled.

What Comes Next: Tour Integration

The TUNNEL VISION tour continues with "Motto" now part of the repertoire. The Seoul, Melbourne, and Sydney dates established the template; upcoming shows will presumably incorporate the new material immediately. Fans attending future dates get the complete experience: established hits, tour-exclusive moments, and now officially released solo tracks.

The May 22 US physical release and remix drop extends the album's lifecycle. International fans receive their formats. The remix provides additional streaming content. The tour maintains momentum through the summer festival season.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was ITZY's "Motto" album released?

"Motto" was released on May 18, 2026 at 6 p.m. KST. The 12th mini album from JYP Entertainment's ITZY includes 8 tracks: the title track "Motto," three group B-sides, and five solo tracks — one from each member.

What are the 5 solo tracks on ITZY's "Motto" album?

The five solo tracks are: "Pocket" by Yeji, "Asylum" by Lia, "LOOK" by Ryujin, "Undefined" by Chaeryeong, and "Tangerine" by Yuna. These songs were performed live during the TUNNEL VISION world tour but are now available on streaming platforms for the first time.

When did ITZY debut?

ITZY debuted on February 12, 2019 with their single album "IT'z Different" and the title track "Dalla Dalla." The five-member group from JYP Entertainment consists of Yeji, Lia, Ryujin, Chaeryeong, and Yuna.

What is the TUNNEL VISION world tour?

The TUNNEL VISION world tour launched February 13-15, 2026 at Seoul's Jamsil Indoor Stadium, then continued to Melbourne (April 17) and Sydney (April 19). The tour featured the five solo tracks that are now officially released on the "Motto" album.

What is the "Daechu No No" dance challenge?

The "Daechu No No" dance challenge went viral on social media after ITZY performed "That's A No No" (a 2020 B-side) live for the first time at their February 2026 Seoul concerts. The challenge helped the song jump from outside the top 900 to the Melon Top 100 in March 2026.