Magazine Assignment_[UNKNOWN] The Magazine for K-Pop Stan

UNKNOWN JANUARY 2024

“I AM NOT ALWAYS THAT STRONG, ...”

- HWASA

I Love My Body

UNKNOWN

“I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THE ACT OF LOVING YOURSELF IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PART IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THROUGH LIFE,”

JANUARY 2024

HWASA WANTS

YOU

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 picked apart. But her response has always been to bite back, whether in candid moments with fans, pointed performances on stage or – where she does it best – in song.

“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 oldschool retro-pop ode to self-love that’s as much a celebration of her own 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 university festival was ‘indecent’. While a spotlight on the command she 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 her feel happy.

For Hwasa, who debuted when she was just 18 years old, putting her self-confidence in the limelight is a no-brainer. But she’s conscious not to 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 that she tries to use those moments as a way to grow and learn so as never to allow insecurity to pull rank over her strength.

“I Love My Body” is a turning point for Hwasa, as it’s her first release since leaving her longtime agency RBW and signing with P Nation, 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 on Beyoncé tickets.

01

UNKNOWN

JANUARY 2024

LOVE YOUR BODY

, TOO

“I AM NOT ALWAYS T H A T S T R O N G , Y O U K N O W. 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 idols often use to convey that, no matter how famous they become, they will remain humble – and on reflecting constantly.

What can we expect from you in this new chapter?

What song could you not stop listening to growing up?

Hwasa: I just want to make music until I’m sick of it. As a solo artist, I don’t have 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 most important for me.

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, I couldn’t go.

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 yourself is the most important [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 [I do] this song, I’ll be able to enjoy performing it’.

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] on issues like this, but, on the other hand, I am also harsh 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, I think it’s something that comes out naturally.

What makes you feel most powerful in times when you don’t feel your best?

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 really do work very hard.’ I realised that, with the amount of hard work I put in, when it’s time for fun, I’m able to enjoy [it].

02

UNKNOWN

JANUARY 2024

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

Fan Service & Merchandise

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.

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.

03

UNKNOWN

JANUARY 2024

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.

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.

NAVIGATING THE TIDES: THE DARK SIDE OF SHIPPING 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!

04

EVENTEEN JEONGHA SEVENTEEN JEONGHAN

UNKNOWN

JANUARY 2024

STYLE EVOLUTION

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.

Highlights Since Debut To Now!

'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

05

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'.

SEVENTEEN JEONGHAN SEVENTEEN JEONGHAN

UNKNOWN

JANUARY 2024

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.

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.

06

0 19124115 240110 0

What do you mean user @changminsarmpithair is a doctor????

LOL some of us really have a life out there??? idk if you guys know it but apparently K-Pop fans are now seen as highly valuable talents to many HRs

😏

like how??

Straight up! You should find a video editting jobs. You can even start working tomorrow!

I’m only an admin of our fan blog, but I don’t do nothing? Subbing or editings already covered by others. Valuable much?

🤒

ONLY YOUR BLOG has 3 editors, 5 translators, even 2 in-house designers and you are the general admin. Dude, you can be HR yourself!

Please hire me?!

🥺️

🥺️

Count me in anw check this out! https://gwangya.co/2023-jobfair

GWANGYA 2023 JOB FAIR Calling all K-Pop lovers out there!

WE NEED YOU!

Feb 20, 2024

📍HISTORY Square, EXO Planet

CATCH YOUR DREAM | GWANGYA 2023 JOB FAIR | 500 Companies SMTOWN, Bentley, Walmart and more

Wednesday 3rd Period Fall Semester 2023

I made fan edit video for my tiktok..

Faculty of Foreign Languages Department of English

Great! Have you ever considered working in creative writings?

READING STRATEGIES IV

😕

LINH NGUYEN DOKKYO UNIVERSITY

as if theyll appreciate my fanfic