Nam Yu-jeong's Waterbomb Solo Debut Draws Mixed Reactions After BBGIRLS Departure

Former Brave Girls (now BBGIRLS) member Nam Yu-jeong (남유정), who transitioned to acting, recently made her solo debut at South Korea's premier summer music festival, Waterbomb. Anticipated as a crucial step in launching her individual career, the performance met with a cold response from some netizens after videos surfaced online. Some bluntly asked, “If this is the case, why did she leave BBGIRLS in the first place?”

Nam Yu-jeong performed at “Waterbomb Sokcho 2026,” held on July 22 at Hanwha Resort Seorak Sorano in Sokcho, Gangwon Province. This marked her first appearance at Waterbomb since her debut and her first time on a major stage as a solo artist since leaving BBGIRLS, drawing considerable attention even before the show.

During her performance, she delivered reinterpreted versions of Jewelry’s “I Really Like You,” Park Myung-soo’s “Ocean Prince,” and Uhm Jung-hwa’s “Invitation.” Notably, BTOB member Lee Min-hyuk (이민혁) made a surprise appearance during the “Invitation” stage, joining Nam Yu-jeong for the performance.

Nam Yu-jeong appeared on stage in a crop top paired with shorts, a bold Waterbomb-appropriate outfit that, combined with her signature bright smile, showcased her energetic stage presence. However, as live performance videos circulated online, some netizens began to question her song choices and overall solo stage performance.

The most contentious point was that all the songs she performed were reinterpreted versions of existing popular hits. Some netizens asked, “Doesn’t she have her own songs?” and “I thought she was going solo; I expected her to make the music she truly wanted.” Others reiterated, “If this is the case, why did she leave BBGIRLS in the first place?” Some even suggested, “She shined more when she was in the group.”