“I AM NOT ALWAYS THAT STRONG, ... ” - HWASA
“I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE ACT OF LOVING YOURSELF IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART IN THE PROCESS OF
GETTING THROUGH LIFE,”
YOU HWASA WANTS TO
After signing with a new record label and releasing her latest solo single ‘I Love My Body’, we chat with K-pop singer Hwasa about selfacceptance, new beginnings and the best place to get coffee in Seoul
“While doing what you love, you do end up becoming weaker, too,” says K-pop singer Hwasa over a video call from Seoul, via a translator Since being introduced almost ten years ago, first as the youngest member (known as the ‘maknae’) of the harmony-forward girl group MAMAMOO and then later in 2019 as a soloist, 28-year-old Hwasa has rarely shied away from confronting the discourse that follows her celebrity, even when it stings Her figure, her give-no-shits attitude, her sensuality, the way she approaches an industry that often places exorbitant expectations on its female stars; all of it has been ravenously pickedapart.Butherresponsehasalwaysbeentobiteback,whetherin candid moments with fans, pointed performances on stage or – where shedoesitbest–insong
“I strongly believe that the act of loving yourself is an extremely important part in the process of getting through life,” she says, following the release of her latest solo single “I Love My Body”, an oldschoolretro-popodetoself-lovethat’sasmuchacelebrationofherown skin as it is a finger-point at her loudest critics Its timing alone is a statement in itself: last month, she found herself reported to police in South Korea by a group of parents who thought her performance at a universityfestivalwas‘indecent’ Whileaspotlightonthecommandshe has over her sexuality has always followed closely, this time the bulb exploded “Unsurprisingly, things have been pretty noisy recently, so I felt even more strongly that I needed to think positively and that I wanted to keep putting out music,” she says about the experience, choosing “I Love My Body” because, more than anything, it just made herfeelhappy
ForHwasa,whodebutedwhenshewasjust18yearsold,puttingherself-confidenceinthelimelightisano-brainer Butshe’sconsciousnotto let people think that it’s easy “The confident [persona of] me that you see on stage is something I work really hard on,” she says, touching on the very relatable peaks and troughs of self-acceptance that seem to change on a whim “I go through times when I’m really sad,” she adds, saying thatshetriestousethosemomentsasawaytogrowandlearnsoasnevertoallowinsecuritytopullrankoverherstrength
“ILoveMyBody”isaturningpointforHwasa,asit’sherfirstreleasesinceleavingherlongtimeagencyRBWandsigningwithPNation,the K-pop label founded by industry veteran Psy While she’s released a handful of solo songs in the past and has been a go-to fave for features for years, this is her re-introduction as a fully-fledged solo artist Below, we chat to Hwasa about self-love, new beginnings and tragically missing out onBeyoncétickets
LOVE YOUR BODY , TOO
“I AM NOT ALWAYS THAT STRONG, YOU KNOW. IT’S JUST THAT, WHILE DOING WHAT I LOVE, I HAVE BECOME STRONGER”
To me, you feel very at the heart of conversations around female celebrities, the way you celebrate your body and your autonomy. How does it feel to be seen as a champion of that?
Hwasa: I am not always that strong, you know It’s just that, while doing what I love, I have become stronger What you see on stage comes from the experience of going through [all] those situations and feelings repeatedly, but, thankfully, seeing this [version of me], the fans feel empowered and feel some comfort through it. Whenever I hear things like that, I just feel so grateful I also want to try living life showing my vulnerable side, but then I feel like I am betraying my fans – I felt like this recently, seeing myself become more vulnerable. I try to focus on my cho shim – a Korean phrase idolsoftenusetoconveythat,nomatterhowfamoustheybecome,theywill remainhumble–andonreflectingconstantly
What is the most important thing for you in terms of this next phase of your career?
Hwasa: I think it’s the trust I have in myself With environments changing, as you keep moving forward, there are a lot of unfamiliar things you come across, you know? So, in that kind of situation, I realized that to be unwavering and trusting in yourselfisthemostimportant[thing]
You just released your new song ‘I Love My Body’. What was it that drew you to that song?
Hwasa: Until very recently, I was feeling quite low, so I felt this urge to do a song that is fun, light and upbeat I really feel like it was destiny discovering ‘I Love My Body’. I felt so sure about it, like‘Ah,if[Ido]thissong,I’llbeabletoenjoyperformingit’
You’ve always been so passionate about celebrating your body and it’s been a theme in past solo releases and the way you perform on stage. Why is it important to centre that in the work you do?
Hwasa: I strongly believe that the act of loving oneself is a huge part of getting through life, and so I tend to express these kinds of themes a lot In reality, I am, and have been, a target [of the public]onissueslikethis,but,ontheotherhand,Iamalsoharsh on myself regarding these topics, too Going through all this, I feel like showing support [to fans] all the more But, of course, I also love myself a lot, so having gone through all these different experiences,Ithinkit’ssomethingthatcomesoutnaturally
What makes you feel most powerful in times when you don’t feel your best?
What can we expect from you in this new chapter?
Hwasa: Ijustwanttomakemusicuntil I’msickofit Asasoloartist,Idon’thave a lot of music released [yet], I want to continue sharing all the things that I want to talk about And I want to do a lot of concerts, and through my performances, I want to meet my fans a lot more [often] I think that’s the mostimportantforme
What song could you not stop listening to growing up?
Hwasa: Ah! Beyoncé’s ‘BrokenHearted Girl’ I haven’t been able to see her in concert I had originally planned to see her last concert but because of a conflict with my schedule,Icouldn’tgo
Hwasa: So these days, in particular, I have been noticing a lot of my weak points, things I’d like to improve on But I think that having these thoughts comes from the strong desire of wanting to improve which I think, for me, comes from a positive mindset I [always] practice hard. The people around me tell me really often, ‘For someone with your experience, one would assume you could practice without exerting yourself too much But you reallydoworkveryhard.’Irealisedthat,withtheamountofhard workIputin,whenit’stimeforfun,I’mabletoenjoy[it]
BEHAVIORS: SETTING SAIL IN THE WORLD OF SHIPPING
Fan Fiction & Art
Creativity knows no bounds in the realm of shipping. Fans actively spin tales and craft artwork depicting their favored romantic or sexual pairings among idols. From innocent love stories to more explicit narratives, these creations provide an outlet for fans' imaginative expression.
Social Media Engagement
Twitter and Instagram become bustling hubs for shipping communities Fans gather to share their creative endeavors, discuss interpretations, and partake in playful banter or heated debates. Hashtags and dedicated accounts amplify the shipping content, creating a digital haven for enthusiasts.
UNVEILING THE ART OF SHIPPING
By Linh Nguyen
In the vibrant world of K-pop fandom, one phenomenon takes center stage, captivating the hearts of fans and creating waves of excitement –shipping. This article delves into the intricate web of behaviors and motivations surrounding shipping, with a particular focus on the homoerotic shipping of beloved couples like the ‘legendary’ YunJae from TVXQ.
Let's unravel the mysteries of shipping in K-pop and discover the reasons behind its immense popularity.
Live Performance Analysis
Every gesture, glance, and onstage chemistry becomes a canvas for interpretation Fans scrutinize idols' interactions during live performances, turning seemingly ordinary moments into evidence for their chosen ships. Detailed analyses and passionate discussions ensue within the fandom
Fan Service & Merchandise
Idol interactions and merchandise choices become cryptic messages for fans to decode. Matching outfits and on-stage behavior are seen as intentional cues or hints, further fueling the excitement surrounding particular pairings.
REASONS: NAVIGATING THE EMOTIONAL SEAS OF SHIPPING
Exploring Sexuality & Gender
In a society where non-heteronormative expression may find limited acceptance, shipping offers a safe space for fans to explore their own sexuality and gender identities. Imagining idols in same-sex relationships challenges societal norms, allowing fans to create alternative narratives of love and desire.
Community Building & Belonging
Shipping communities serve as a haven for fans with shared passions. Engaging in discussions, debates, and creative collaborations around preferred ships strengthens bonds, fostering a sense of camaraderie within the fandom
NAVIGATING THE TIDES: THE DARK SIDE OF SHIPPING
Emotional Investment & Agency
Shipping provides fans with a sense of connection to idols and their narratives Actively participating in the creation and interpretation of ship stories grants fans a feeling of agency and ownership over their fandom experience
Playful Fantasy & Escapism
Shipping becomes a playful form of escapism, enabling fans to indulge in imaginative scenarios In these alternative realities, desired relationships come to life, providing a source of joy, excitement, and emotional release.
The chapter also sheds light on potential downsides, including fan wars, idol harassment, and unrealistic expectations. It emphasizes the importance of respecting boundaries and maintaining a healthy perspective on shipping activities
The world of shipping in K-pop is not merely a superficial pastime but a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It allows fans to express desires, explore identity, and build meaningful connections within the K-pop fandom. So, set sail with your ships, but remember to navigate the waves with respect and understanding. Happy shipping!
N S E V E N T E E N J E O N G H A N
STYLE STYLE EVOLUTION EVOLUTION
Highlights Since Debut To Now!
Trendsetting? Prince-Like? Ethereal? Healing? Pretty? All the adjectives are good for it! A long time has passed since SEVENTEEN's debut, still, there is no comeback without JeongHan being the talk of the town for his styles
'Adore U', the brown mid-length hair JeongHan
When SEVENTEEN debuted back in 2015 with 'Adore U', JeongHan used to have mid-length brown straight hair. From his debut, he caught the attention and hearts of a lot of fans with this styling. That was an impactful debut.
Charismatic shorter dark hair in 'BOOM BOOM'
During his promotion for 2016, JeongHan cut the length into a short bob for 'BOOM BOOM'. Neat, clean, and still pretty long to match his flower-boy good looks. It was new and fans loved the change
'Don’t
Wanna Cry' but SCREAM for
this
dramatic change: short wavy platinum hair
With a 180-degree turn, JeongHan bleaches out his dark locks for platinum blonde! By adding messy waves into his hair - he's looking more drastic than ever for 'Don't Wanna Cry'.
S E V E N T E E N J E O N
Magnetic long orange hair in 'Not Alone'
The next color was: orange! This color change gave the idol a magnetic look, the one you can't take away from. JeongHan made a lot of heads turn with this hairstyle
The hypnotic mermaid look
In 2021 for their 9th Mini Album "Attacca" photos, JeongHan went for a mermaid look with wet long blonde wavy hair giving him an aquatic and hypnotic look With JeongHan's beauty, he looked otherworldly and ready to reign over the ocean.
BONUS:
Permed puppy hair
In July 2033 JeongHan surprised fans with a heartwarming and puppy style: the permed long black hair! Some call it the “ajumma” perm but JeongHan rocked it and fans found him even more adorable with this hair.
The 1004 (read as cheonsa in Korean means angel) idol - JeongHan has been a hair inspiration to not just the guys, but also the girls since his debut. The group already passed their 8th anniversary last May and with all their comeback and schedules, JeongHan had a lot of hair changes We selected 5 STYLES only to highlight his biggest and most iconic changes since his debut. S E V E N T E E N J E O N G H A N S E V E N T E E N J E O N G H A N
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