 |
| ▲ Mamamoo's Hwasa poses for photos at the media showcase for her second solo mini-album "O" held in Seoul on Sept. 19, 2024. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- "At times, my personality has been a source of stress. I would worry about whether it was okay to be honest, and that made me sad. But in the end, I realized that if I'm happy, others will feel that too."
Known for her bold expressions, daring choreography, and unique style, Mamamoo's Hwasa has many labels attached to her. However, she believes these descriptions don't fully capture who she truly is. In her second mini-album "O," Hwasa strives to present her authentic self.
During a press conference held at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 19th to mark the release of her new album, Hwasa explained, "O is literally an album about myself. It's the result of my efforts to express who I am clearly."
 |
| ▲ Mamamoo's Hwasa poses for photos at the media showcase for her second solo mini-album "O" held in Seoul on Sept. 19, 2024. (Yonhap) |
This mini-album comes about a year after her last release, the digital single I Love My Body. While her previous work focused on body positivity, O embraces a more flexible and positive approach to life, much like the circular shape of the album's title.
Reflecting on how to best explain herself, Hwasa shared, "I realized that I'm a person with flexibility and a positive attitude, which led me to choose the title O. It represents the world within the circle I’ve created."
In confronting the challenges of being honest, Hwasa came to a significant realization: "I can't satisfy everyone." From a young age, she disliked following rules and concluded that expressing her individuality was her way of living.
"When I accepted that 'I can't be loved by everyone,' I found balance within myself. Ultimately, living as I am and finding my own happiness comes first."
The album contains seven tracks, including the title song NA, Hwasa, and EGO. NA is an empowering track that conveys the message of walking confidently without being swayed by others' opinions. Collaborating with renowned dance teams like Lachica and Jam Republic, Hwasa brings out her free-spirited charm through her performances.
Regarding the title track, Hwasa said, "It's a song that shows 'me.' It's not an aggressive song, nor is it about saying 'I'm the best.' It's more about unveiling myself and embracing the idea of being consumed by my own essence."
The music video for NA features Hwasa wandering through the streets of Paris, exuding both a playful and strong aura. Hwasa praised the balance between Paris' elegance and her own free-spirited nature. She also recounted how she injured her ligament while walking in heels on cobblestones but refused to let that pain ruin the memorable experience. "I gave it my all and had a lot of fun during the shoot," she recalled.
 |
| ▲ Mamamoo's Hwasa poses for photos at the media showcase for her second solo mini-album "O" held in Seoul on Sept. 19, 2024. (Yonhap) |
Hwasa, who has been solidifying her solo career, says she still has plenty of music she wants to share. She’s interested in genres like jazz and even envisions expressing the raw emotion of han—the deep, sorrowful sentiment often found in traditional Korean trot music—in her unique style.
"Even though I've been active for a while, I realized there’s so much I haven't shown yet. I want to portray the deep emotions of trot in my own way."
As she looks ahead, Hwasa's goal is to remain authentic in all her endeavors. "No matter what new things I try, I want people to say, 'This is so Hwasa.' I'd be sad to hear, 'This doesn’t feel like Hwasa at all.'"
(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved
