As a member of NCT and its subgroups NCT 127 and NCT U, Japanese K-pop idol YUTA has contributed to the SM Entertainment squad’s hip-hop persona with his athletic dancing and versatile vocals since 2016. But YUTA’s solo career, which launched in 2024 with EP Depth, redefined the K-pop idol as an unabashed rock star. YUTA’s first full album, 2025’s PERSONA, doubles down on the metal-tinged sound first embraced on Depth as the 30-year-old uses shredding guitar and raw vocals to declare his resilient spirit on “EMBER.” The energy shifts into a lighter pop-punk attitude for tracks like “When I’m Not Around,” which takes aim at anyone talking behind YUTA’s back. Theatrical ballad “TWISTED PARADISE” describes the hollow yet addictive glamour of a performance (“Flying more makes me feel dead inside/Dancing in this twisted paradise”), adding new layers to YUTA’s pop star persona.