Korean singer Choi Yena has provided insight into her title song "Hate Rodrigo" and its content.

During the release showcase of her second single "Hate XX" held at the Bluesquare Mastercard Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 27th, Yena introduced "Hate Rodrigo" as "a song that amplifies love and admiration through ironic expression."

Her latest release "Hate XX" conveys Yena's frank and dynamic emotional changes, encapsulated by her unique bright energy. In addition to the title song "Hate Rodrigo", the album includes "Bad Habits" and "Wicked Love", for a total of three tracks.

The title song "Hate Rodrigo" captures the adorable jealousy one feels towards an object of admiration, trying hard to deny fond feelings but ultimately unable to resist acknowledging them. Yena has expressed these universal yet often suppressed feelings of "jealousy" and "admiration" in her distinctive, honest, and confident style.

Regarding this, Yena explained, "'Hate Rodrigo' is a track that portrays various emotions like admiration and envy towards the object of aspiration in a cute and honest way. By using an ironic expression, it maximizes feelings of affection and longing towards the person."

Continuing, Yena said, "It carries the sentiment of 'How could they be born like that?' I will work hard to deliver sincere lyrics and performances."

Yena also spoke about the figures she admires.

She confessed, "I have so many seniors that I like and respect. I had many role models growing up, and I dreamed while watching BoA, Lee Hyo-ri, G-Dragon, and 2NE1. Olivia Rodrigo, who is mentioned in the title, is also perfect and beautiful. She is an object of my admiration."

Choi Yena's second single "Hate XX" was released on various online music sites at 6 pm on the same day.

Following are some Korean netizens comments:

"Choi Yena is the best! But the word 'hate' is usually used for extreme disgust... It's called 'hate', but it implies admiration? It might be better to make the song title cuter... Hasn't the song been released yet?

It might be better to use 'XX' or an alias, it's a title that is prone to misunderstanding. It seems it's going to be released without any title modifications, I hope not.

I think she might have considered 'hate' as a term of endearment... But I'm still looking forward to it. I wonder if she really had to specify someone... I really wish she had changed the title when the controversy started.

Who is Rodrigo? A person's name? If so, it's regrettable why she didn't just go with 'Hate You' instead of using a name that triggers associations. I understand the implied meaning, but it's not great that it's directly in the title...

She should have just named it 'Hate You' and then hinted at it in the lyrics. I understand what she's saying, but fans might feel upset, especially because Rodrigo is younger and a rising star.

It's not like she's a top star who's used as a pronoun, it's not great to attach it to a rising star who's even younger than her. This might stir up plagiarism controversy, it feels like she just wanted to get ahead. The concept is too similar.

It's almost an homage, but using the name in the title, I really don't know if this is going to help. Rodrigo is not just a singer, she's a rising star who made it onto the Billboard chart immediately after her debut.

But saying 'hate' and then saying she used it in a cute way, is that all right..? In front of someone else's name. Then if another singer follows her concept and releases a song with 'Choi Yena hate' as the title, she shouldn't complain.

Is this not the vibe? 'I hate you so much, it feels like my heart is being torn apart!' like this? I'm not sure if we can definitively say 'hate' because we often say we hate it even when we're kidding.

The lyrics are 'It's not fair for you to be so lovely. So, I hate myself for loving you.' But it seemed like she put 'hate' in the title because it sounds too much like a Rodrigo praise song."

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