YENA to release Korean remake of Ai Otsuka's 'Sakuranbo' on Nov 17
Choi YENA will release a Korean-language remake of Ai Otsuka's 2003 Japanese hit 'Sakuranbo' on November 17 at 6 p.m. KST, as part of the 'J-POP REMAKE' project.
Choi YENA is taking on a J-pop classic. A Korean-language remake of 'Sakuranbo', sung by YENA, is set for release on November 17 at 6 p.m. KST, according to the official teaser and her agency YH Entertainment.
The teasers show a glass filled with cherries and an anime-inspired image of a magical-girl style phone with the word 'SAKURANBO'. The original song was released in 2003 by Ai Otsuka and is known for its bright, catchy melody.
According to The Fact, the track belongs to the 'J-POP REMAKE' project produced by Kangnam, whose earlier releases include remakes by Taeyeon, Hanroro, Lee Su-hyun and Roy Kim. YENA most recently released the digital single '보기 드문 여자' (feat. NOWIMYOUNG) in October.
Confirmed
- The official 'SAKURANBO' teaser image released by producer SHgold Networks under the 'J-POP REMAKE' banner states the release as '2026.11.17 (Tue) 6PM (KST)'.
- YENA's agency YH Entertainment lists the 'Sakuranbo' remake for November 17 in its official YENA news section.
Reported by other outlets
- STARNEWS reports, citing YH Entertainment, that YENA will release the 'Sakuranbo' remake on November 17 at 6 p.m. KST, and that the agency said she will reinterpret the song with Korean sensibility 23 years after the original while keeping its charm.
- The Fact reports that SHgold Networks revealed the teaser images on its official social media, and that the song is part of the 'J-POP REMAKE' project produced by singer and TV personality Kangnam, which has previously released remakes by Taeyeon, Hanroro, Lee Su-hyun and Roy Kim.
- STARNEWS, The Fact and Herald Muse report that 'Sakuranbo' was released in 2003 by Japanese singer Ai Otsuka.
Analysis
2FC NEWSROOM: The date is fixed by both the official teaser and the agency, so the release is set; the project's track record of star-led J-pop remakes gives YENA a high-profile follow-up to her October single.