Beauty and lifestyle magazine <Beauty+> has unveiled its September cover featuring Dayoung. The pictorial captures a new side of Dayoung as she returns with a collaboration single. Centered on deep smoky eye makeup, she completes a chic yet intense mood, highlighting an even more distinct presence as a solo artist.

In an interview conducted alongside the shoot, she spoke about her new song “FLIRTY,” released on August 4. Dayoung shared that with this track, she wanted to portray—like a scene from a film—the most fluttering moment right before love begins, when two people are drawn to each other. She added that she carefully considered the details of the performance so that everything—from their chemistry to their gazes and expressions, the distance between them, and even their breathing—could connect into a single story.

Dayoung also took part in writing lyrics and composing for this album, candidly sharing behind-the-scenes stories from the process. She said the time she spent working in LA was the most memorable, explaining that “FLIRTY” was a song whose picture was clear from the start—and detailing how she came to suggest a collaboration with singer Jay Park. She added that during the actual production, their different musical colors blended naturally, creating synergy beyond expectations.

She also talked about what has felt new while promoting as a solo artist. Dayoung said her desire has grown to put her own opinions into every element—from the music to the concept, visuals, and performance—and that with it, her sense of responsibility to steer the final result in a better direction has grown as well. She added that she newly realized she truly loves the process of creating something.

She went on to discuss the smoky makeup that serves as a key point of this shoot. Saying she has always been interested in makeup, Dayoung shared that she has tried doing smoky makeup herself before. She said she finds it fascinating how a completely different vibe can be created just by changing makeup or hair, and expressed her hope to keep challenging herself with new styles going forward.

Dayoung said that what matters most when communicating with fans is sincerity, adding that even when she posts a short message, she hopes her feelings come through. She said fans are always the first thing that comes to mind whenever she takes on a new challenge, and shared that she wants to continue greeting them with new music and stages. She also pledged to keep working steadily so that, even as time passes, she can be remembered as “an artist you always look forward to” and “an artist whose performances make you happy.”