K-pop singer Irene of Red Velvet in a teaser photo for her solo extended play 'Like A Flower.' Photo from Red Velvet's X accountIrene, a member of the popular K-pop girl group Red Velvet, kicked off her solo music career on Tuesday with the release of her extended play (EP) "Like A Flower."

In a YouTube livestream held an hour before the EP's release, the 33-year-old idol shared that the record revolves around the theme of courage.

"I promoted with my members and now I am promoting solo, so that needed a lot of courage. I had to choose everything on my own, too," Irene, whose real name is Bae Joo-hyun, said in the subtitled livestream.

"When we adapt to new environments or when we think about trying new things, we need courage... So my album is about how we all need courage and how I hope we all feel at ease with courage," she said.

"Like A Flower" includes eight tracks, with the song of the same title serving as the lead single.

"Just like a flower with vitality, the song is about gaining courage and facing my life to bloom beautifully," Irene said of the single.

Irene debuted in 2014 as the leader of Red Velvet, known for songs such as "Red Flavor," "Psycho" and most recently, "Cosmic."

In August, the group performed at the Mall of Asia Arena for their "Happiness: My Dear, ReVe1uv" fan concert tour, which celebrates their 10th debut anniversary.

READ: Red Velvet celebrates 10th year with ‘best’ Manila crowd

FROM THE ARCHIVES