ONEW (온유) Rediscovers Himself in Reflective New K-Pop Single “Confidence”

SHINee’s ONEW returns to the spotlight with his latest solo single, “Confidence,” a soulful and introspective K-pop ballad that explores the quiet journey of losing—and finding—self-belief. Known for his warm vocal tone and emotional depth, ONEW delivers a heartfelt performance that resonates deeply with listeners navigating uncertainty in their own lives.

Source: Griffin Entertainment
Written by: Ditch David, Hautboi Rich, Wiljam
Performed by: ONEW

A Vulnerable Start: Questioning the Fall

The track begins with a quiet moment of reflection. ONEW looks inward, trying to pinpoint where things went wrong:

“Maybe, 내가 잘못했던 거겠지 / 문젤 되짚듯 다시 / 첨으로 come back”
(“Maybe it was my fault / Retracing the problem / Coming back to the beginning”)

This opening verse sets the emotional tone for the song—a journey back through personal struggles, past decisions, and the slow realization of lost confidence. The soft instrumental allows ONEW’s delicate voice to shine, pulling the listener into his inner world.

The Central Question: Where Did My Confidence Go?

The chorus captures the song’s core message, one that feels universally human:

“Where is my confidence?”
“반짝이던 눈에 내 온몸에 넘쳤는데 / 언제 잃은 걸까”
(“It once overflowed from my shining eyes and my whole body—when did I lose it?”)

The emotional weight of these lines is undeniable. Rather than presenting strength as something fixed or performative, ONEW exposes confidence as something fragile—something that even the strongest can misplace.

Reclaiming Power Through Simplicity

Musically, “Confidence” stands out with its restrained production. Rather than leaning into the high-energy, dance-heavy style typical of many K-pop tracks, this song embraces subtle melodies and a soft instrumental backdrop. This allows ONEW’s vocal nuances and emotional delivery to take center stage.

In the post-chorus, a simple mantra emerges:

“잃지 말자 confidence, confidence / 중요한 건 confidence”
(“Don’t lose it—confidence / What matters is confidence”)

These words don’t scream power. Instead, they whisper a reminder—one that’s often needed more.

Verse Two: A Shift Toward Determination

As the track moves forward, so does ONEW’s mindset. In the second verse, he begins to let go of needing a perfect moment or achievement:

“Ayy, 대단한 단 하나의 성취 대신 / 수백 번 이뤄 갈 날 믿고 싶어”
(“Instead of one great accomplishment / I want to believe in the hundreds of days I’ll succeed”)

He then draws a clever metaphor:

“물음표와 느낌표 둘 사이의 차이점은 단 하나야”
(“The difference between a question mark and an exclamation point is just one thing”)

This shift reflects a deeper message—that the space between doubt and certainty is smaller than we think. It just takes one change in mindset.

Navigating a World of Opinions

The second chorus adds another layer, critiquing how society is filled with conflicting definitions of “success”:

“다 저마다가 정답이란 이야기 사이 / 정작 잃어버려 온 해낼 수 있단 자신감”
(“Among everyone saying they have the right answer / I lost the confidence that I could do it”)

It’s a gentle but sharp commentary on comparison culture. ONEW doesn’t just wrestle with self-doubt—he challenges the noise that causes it.

The Outro: From Questioning to Affirmation

By the end of the song, the transformation is complete.

“Hey, yeah, 중요한 건 confidence / Yeah, if you wanna talk that talk, walk that walk”

No longer searching, ONEW now speaks with clarity. He reminds himself—and his listeners—that belief isn’t about being loud or bold, but about moving forward, even quietly, with certainty.

Final Thoughts

“Confidence” is a shining example of how K-pop continues to evolve beyond genre boundaries. With its soft production, poetic lyrics, and emotional vulnerability, ONEW offers a song that feels more like a conversation with the soul than a performance.

It’s not about reclaiming fame or spotlight—it’s about reclaiming yourself.

Track: Confidence
Artist: ONEW (온유)
Writers: Ditch David, Hautboi Rich, Wiljam
Label: Griffin Entertainment
Genre: K-Pop / Ballad
Language: Korean
Release Date: 24 June 2025

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