Lee Jin-ah returns after a year with new digital single 'Journey of Dreaming'
Lee Jin-ah returned September 23 with 'Journey of Dreaming,' her first single in a year. A December solo concert is also locked in.
A year out, then this
Lee Jin-ah is back. The singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer dropped her new digital single Journey of Dreaming on September 23 — her first release in a year.
Piano and vocals open the track quietly. Then it expands into band and orchestral arrangements. Thematically, it speaks to people caught in the grind of daily life who have lost sight of their dreams, drawing its message of hope from the cycles of seasons and nature. The latter section carries a commitment to keep dreaming even within that reality.
The lyrics put it plainly: "고민이 꿈보다 커지면 안 돼 / 마치 아이처럼 뛰어가보자" — worries must not grow bigger than dreams; let's run like children.
The people behind the cover and video
Photographer Rie shot the portrait against a forest backdrop and handled the overall profile and concept direction. 10-year-old artist Ryo contributed hand-drawn flowers and rabbit illustrations and a handwritten title layered on top of Rie's photograph. Director Lee Sang-deok helmed the music video, depicting natural landscapes.
Where this sits in her catalog
Lee Jin-ah first made a strong impression on the public through SBS K-pop Star Season 4 in 2014. Her discography includes Appetizer (single), RANDOM (EP), 진아식당 Full Course (regular album), and 도시의 속마음 (regular album). That last one earned her Best Pop Album at the 21st Korean Popular Music Awards in 2023 — the clearest marker of where she stands critically.
Journey of Dreaming is the start of a wider rollout. Lee Jin-ah plans to release additional content sequentially following the single. A year-end solo concert in December 2026 will close out the year with fans.
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