Singer Younha

Singer Younha is off to a good start with her third album titled "Peace, Love & Ice Cream," a record full of cheerful and lilting tunes.

When she released her debut album in 2007, Younha always appeared in full make-up and clothes that made her look several years older. Now she is 21, what has changed? "When I made my debut at 19 in March 2007, I hated the fact that everyone saw me as a little girl. I intentionally wore heavy, smoky make-up, and wore trousers because I felt that people were not taking my music seriously because I was young," she says. "After three years, I think I'm free from that complex, so I thought it would be now okay to sing about what I really like even though it is childish, like peace, love and ice cream. I think it’s okay to act like a 21-year-old."

"Many people asked me how I could write these songs since I'm so young, thinking there must be very little I know about love. But in fact I've been in love a number of times, probably appropriate for my age. I don't write about things that I haven't experienced because I can't sing just from my imagination. I think I need to experience more love and heartbreak to have a long career as a singer."

Younha said when she first went to Japan, she thought she would be just like BoA. "But after my debut, I feel it is more important to know where I stand, instead of being a superstar with a flashy career. It's important to sing what I like to sing, but it’s also important to know what people want to listen to. I feel a responsibility to make people happy at least for the moment they listen to my songs, and I would be really happy if that happens."