Kang Hye-yeon releases first full-length album 'Sunday Haeyeon'

Singer Kang Hye-yeon celebrated her 10th anniversary since her debut by releasing her first full-length album. On September 17, 2026, Kang released a showcase video via her YouTube channel to commemorate the milestone.

The significance of a first full-length album after 10 years

During the showcase, Kang shared her reflections on the release. "Since this is my 10th year as a singer, this first full-length album is even more meaningful," she said, reflecting on her journey from debuting with EXID and performing with BESTie to establishing herself as a trot singer. She explained that she had previously only considered mini-albums or digital singles, believing a full-length album was a daunting challenge for artists today. However, she decided to prepare this project thanks to the surge of fan support following Miss Trot 2 and a suggestion from her agency's CEO.

The album is titled 'Sunday Haeyeon.' Kang revealed that the title was inspired by the magazine 'Sunday Seoul' to evoke a retro, vintage feel. "It carries the meaning of being an album that can always provide joy and rest, much like a Sunday," she explained. The album features a total of 9 tracks, curated to offer variety across different genres and moods.

Production behind the tracks: From 'Chuck Hamnyeon Cheok' to 'Photo Album'

Kang shared details regarding the production of the tracks. The standout track 'Chuck Hamnyeon Cheok' is a collaboration between the songwriting team Two Champ, Im I-on, and Kang's younger sibling, Dwhale. "Working with my sibling was a dream of our parents," Kang said. She added that the songwriting team completed the track in just 4 days, noting, "It was so addictive that I initially asked to change the melody, but I ultimately decided to keep the original version."

The second track, 'Photo Album,' features the singer Sweden Laundry. Kang introduced it as a song for which she had recorded a guide version before appearing on Miss Trot 2, describing it as a poetic and melancholic track that invites empathy. Additionally, 'Can't Stand It,' featuring composer Mango-ddang, was described as having a soulful, drama OST-like quality. "The melody pierces the heart, so I decided to include it," she remarked. The album's 9-track lineup also includes her existing song 'Wat-da-ya.'

Fan reactions and showcase highlights

During the showcase, Kang performed a live rendition of Noh Sa-yeon's 'Meeting' as her opening number. She noted the immediate positive response from fans following the music release on streaming platforms, citing comments such as "The songs are so good" and "There isn't a single skip-worthy track." "I felt relieved seeing comments saying it's great to listen to the album in its entirety," Kang said. Through the showcase, she enjoyed a special moment connecting with fans by introducing each track on the new album.