SHINee’s Onew has begun the rollout for his upcoming solo project with “Mind Games,” a collaboration featuring GFRIEND’s Yuju.
The track was released Sept. 29 at 6 p.m. KST and serves as the first title track from Onew’s upcoming single album, according to Soompi. Onew also participated in writing the lyrics for the song.
The release introduces the project before its remaining scheduled stages, with reports listing a second title track arriving Oct. 7 and the full single album set for release on Oct. 20.
Onew and Yuju Bring Two K-Pop Vocal Styles Together
“Mind Games” is described in promotional materials as an R&B-based track exploring complicated emotions between two people in a relationship.
The song’s concept centers on tension created by pride and emotional distance, with the two singers’ vocals positioned as the main focus. Melon’s listing credits Onew and Jiggy of 153/Joombas as lyricists, with composition by ditch david, WILJAM, Emilia Larsson and Hautboi Rich. Ditch david is also credited with arrangement, while Xydo contributed vocal direction and background vocals.
The collaboration brings together two artists with extensive group histories. Onew is known as a member of SHINee, while Yuju built her career as a vocalist with GFRIEND before continuing with solo releases.
The duet is a solo collaboration rather than a SHINee and GFRIEND group project. It places two established singers together on a single track while maintaining their individual identities.
Onew’s Single Album Continues His Solo Career
Although Delusion — also reported under the romanized Korean title Chakgak — is described as Onew’s first single album, it is not his first solo release.
Onew began his solo career with the mini album Voice in 2018. He later released Dice in 2022 and the full-length album Circle in 2023, expanding his work beyond SHINee activities.
SM Entertainment described Circle as a project created after a period that included album releases, soundtrack work, collaborations and performances, reflecting the range of activities Onew pursued outside group promotions.
The upcoming single album therefore represents another stage in his solo catalog rather than an introduction to his individual work.
The staged release strategy also gives listeners multiple entry points. “Mind Games” arrives first, while the second title track and complete project will provide additional context in October.
Yuju Adds Another Solo Collaboration After GFRIEND Career
Yuju brings her own solo history to the collaboration.
After her time with GFRIEND, Yuju released her first solo EP REC. in January 2022. The project featured “Play” as its lead track and established a separate musical identity outside group activities.
Her appearance on “Mind Games” follows that transition from group member to solo performer, giving the track a meeting point between two singers known for strong vocal performances.
The release also highlights how K-pop solo projects often develop through collaborations between artists from different groups and generations. Rather than functioning as a reunion, the song presents Onew and Yuju as individual performers sharing one recording.
‘Mind Games’ Opens a Month of New Onew Music
The first release provides only one part of Onew’s larger October schedule.
The upcoming single album will continue with a second title track on Oct. 7 before the full project arrives Oct. 20. Until those releases are available, “Mind Games” remains the primary preview of the musical direction Onew is taking with the new era. (soompi.com)
The song’s confirmed details are its R&B foundation, Onew’s lyric participation, Yuju’s featured vocals and its role as the opening release from the project.
Further tracks will reveal how “Mind Games” fits into the complete single album, but the collaboration already marks a notable meeting between two respected K-pop vocalists.