YENA Choi Yena will re-interpret Ai Otsuka's representative song "さくらんぼ". The remake is scheduled to be released on November 17, 2026. The released trailer uses pink, cherry and mobile phone images with a magical girl flavor, first visually establishing a new entrance for this cross-generational pop song.
For listeners who are familiar with the original song, this is an opportunity to compare how different singers handle rhythm and sense of character; for those who know YENA from K-pop, this cover can give them another memory of Japanese pop music. The official version has not yet been released, and the scope suitable for discussion now is still mainly about announcement plans and trailers.
Key facts
New version singer: YENA Choi Yena.
Release date: November 17, 2026. The original song is Ai Otsuka's 2003 work.
The cherry and retro mobile phone theme trailer has been released, and the complete sound and MV details will be released later.
Cherry, mobile phone and pink, first understand the concept design
One teaser features a cup filled with cherries as the centerpiece, while another combines a retro phone with cute decorations. They do not directly reveal the complete MV plot, but use colors, patterns and familiar objects to transform the song title into recognizable visual symbols.
This concept is suitable from the perspective of "how objects evoke memories": fruits correspond to song titles, mobile phones bring out the communication imagination of a certain era, and pink creates a light mood. These are visual observations of the trailer, which does not mean that the new arrangement will definitely use the same retro sound, nor can it be inferred about the clothing brand.
YENA〈さくらんぼ〉retro mobile phone theme trailer · Photo: SHgold Networks
What are the differences between the original song and the remake?
"さくらんぼ" was released in 2003, and its bright melody continues to be heard by different generations. YENA's remake project brings this Japanese song into the performance context of Korean singers. Covering is not just about changing a voice, it may also affect the timbre, beat, pronunciation and stage expression.
After the new version is officially launched, you can compare in sequence how the intro comes in, the tension of the verses and choruses, and the position of the vocals in the arrangement. At this stage, this article has not obtained the complete audio, so it does not conclude in advance that the new version is sweeter, stronger, or more suitable for dancing, nor does it regard the preview visual as an actual listening test.
Before November 17th, what fields should be looked at to track information?
What has been announced so far is the release date and teaser image. This article does not list the confirmed release time, all streaming platforms, physical versions or Taiwan promotion schedule. This information is usually released separately, and you cannot infer that there is an album, signing, or limited merchandise just by looking at the song title.
If you want to collect it, it will be more practical to wait until the official releases the complete product or distribution information, and then check the version, region and currency. When tracking the work itself, it is also helpful to retain the Japanese name of the song "さくらんぼ", which can reduce confusion with other songs named "Cherry" when searching.
Questions and answers
When will the new version of YENA be launched?
It is currently announced as November 17, 2026. This article does not list a confirmed release time.
Which Ai Otsuka song is this?
It was launched in 2003 as "さくらんぼ" and is often called "Cherry" in Chinese.
Is there a complete MV already?
This article is checking the teaser images, and has not stated that the complete MV, physical version or event schedule has been released.
