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.”

Beyond song selection, Nam Yu-jeong’s singing and dancing also drew criticism from some netizens. Comments included, “Neither her singing nor dancing met expectations,” “I don’t know if it’s a lack of practice, but it looked a bit unnatural,” and “She was still better suited for her BBGIRLS days.” Some even suggested that her shortcomings during group activities might have been overshadowed by the presence of other members.

However, many netizens offered positive feedback, commenting, “The atmosphere was great,” and “It’s been a long time since I saw her on stage; I’m happy to see her back.” They also expressed support for Nam Yu-jeong’s new challenge, saying, “It’s her first solo stage after all; I look forward to her future performances.”

In fact, prior to her Waterbomb appearance, Nam Yu-jeong had openly discussed the pressure of performing as a solo artist for the first time. In a recent appearance on the YouTube channel “Ddib,” she admitted, “Even when I was in a group, I never released a solo song myself.” She described her feelings as contradictory, stating, “On one hand, I feel pressured, but on the other hand, I’m really enjoying it, as it’s been a long time since I’ve been on stage.”

She also revealed that she had initially considered promoting her work through music shows. “I actually thought about whether to appear on music shows, because artists usually go on many music shows to promote an album, and I was agonizing over what to do. Then I got this great opportunity at Waterbomb, so I thought I’d try it first.”

Nam Yu-jeong debuted as a member of Brave Girls in 2016. In 2021, the group achieved viral success with “Rollin’,” significantly boosting their popularity. The group later rebranded as BBGIRLS, but Nam Yu-jeong officially left in April 2024. BBGIRLS currently consists of three members: Min-young (민영), Eun-ji (은지), and Yu-na (유나).

This Waterbomb performance marked Nam Yu-jeong’s first time on a major stage alone since leaving the group. After stepping away from the spotlight of BBGIRLS, her ability to establish a new identity through her music and stage presence will be a key focus of public attention.