Fan Chant: CHUNG HA Is Ready to Get Personal
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The post Fan Chant: CHUNG HA Is Ready to Get Personal appeared first on Consequence.
Welcome back to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. Today, CHUNG HA discusses her 2024 comeback and what’s coming up down the line. If you haven’t already, you can always subscribe to my companion newsletter to get Fan Chant delivered right to your inbox each week!
There’s no one else in the K-pop world quite like CHUNG HA. The soloist is a uniquely compelling example of what it means to be a global artist — though born in South Korea, CHUNG HA spent many of her formative years living in Dallas, where her creative identity was heavily influenced by the Spanish-language music that flourishes in Texas.
Now well into her career as a soloist, CHUNG HA is heavily involved with all aspects of her music, from collaborators to the specific vibe of a release. Her most recent comeback arrives after a period of reflection, where she took time to decide when, and how, she wanted to return to releasing music.
The result is a dual drop: The appropriately titled “I’m Ready,” and the playful “EENIE MEENIE” (featuring Hongjoong of ATEEZ) have stamped early 2024 with CHUNG HA’s utterly individual signature.
“I wanted it to be elevated with a really epic performance that people could be really excited about,” she tells Consequence over Zoom from Seoul. “I really wanted to fulfill my fans.”
Watch the music video for “EENIE MEENIE” and read on for the full interview with CHUNG HA, featuring a pair of exclusive photos from this comeback.
I’m so excited to talk to you – I loved your album Querencia, and I’m so happy about your new music coming out. I wanted to start by asking how you’re feeling about this release and these two new songs.
CHUNG HA: I’m just very excited. It’s been over a year and half since my last release; I did my collaboration with Christopher, “When I Get Old,” but it’s been a while. After taking a break and some gradual changes, I’m just ready to go. I’m very hyped.
Something I specifically made a mental note of is the house elements that are in “I’m Ready.” I think people were really excited to see you come back with that sound, since it’s something you do so well. How did you land on that vibe for this release?
CHUNG HA: When having discussions with my team, we really wanted to fulfill both sides; a new chapter, but also the somewhat familiar CHUNG HA. I wanted it to be elevated with a really epic performance that people could be really excited about. I saw a lot of comments about “Stay Tonight” and “Dream of You,” and I really wanted to fulfill my fans.
I was a whacking dancer before I debuted, so I thought it was time to put myself in a space where I could actually whack with a beat that hit really hard. I thought there had to be more, somewaht intense performance elements added. With “EENIE MEENIE,” I wanted to show a very new side of me, and it’s something I wasn’t really expecting either.
CHUNG HA, photo courtesy of MORE VISION
For “EENIE MEENIE,” how did Hongjoong of ATEEZ get on your radar?
CHUNG HA: Early on, we had some promotions on the same timeline, and I saw them rehearsing. I was like…”Seriously, oh my God, what?!”
Same. The first time I saw them perform I couldn’t believe what was happening.
CHUNG HA: They were saying, “Say my name, say my name,” and I wanted to yell, “What’s your name?!”
I told them I was very inspired by their performance, and now they’ve blown up. They’re one of the biggest K-pop acts right now. They’re not afraid of challenges, and they’re fearless all the time. Hongjoong is very talented, and the way he leads his team — he’s obviously the captain. I knew I needed rapping with a unique touch and thought Hongjoong was the perfect fit.
Were you ever on set or in the studio together? How did you feel when you heard the verse?
CHUNG HA: I was so thankful because he came back from Japan to Korea during their Japanese comeback to shoot the music video with me. But when I first heard the verse, it was so much more than I even expected! Even though it’s quite short when you listen to it, there’s a lot of diverse rhythm fluctuations added in with his unique touch. It’s amazing.
We shot the scene together for the music video, which took about three hours. It was our first time actually meeting in person, and I was so shy, because I’m so used to doing all my music videos alone. But I’m so glad I got to see him in person before the song dropped.
What, in a larger sense, has you generally excited about making and releasing music right now?
CHUNG HA: In my last chapter, I did a lot. I tried different tastes of music and didn’t know what I wanted to do next. I was feeling a bit lost. But coming back, developing the songs and everything, I learned I love to do this no matter what. I’m just so excited and ready to show more authenticity, since that’s something I used to be scared of.
In Querencia, in “Bicycle,” that wasn’t my story — that was a character. This time, going forward, I want to portray more of myself and pour more of my own stories into an album, more like a diary or a storyline.
I know you have a lot of goals as we move further into the year, like a solo tour. What are some places you’d love to perform? Is there anywhere in particular you have in mind?
CHUNG HA: I would love to perform in Dallas, because that’s where I grew up. It would be easier for my family to come to the venue and see me perform. I would love to perform anywhere, but that would be so special.
What do you miss most about Dallas?
CHUNG HA: Of course I love the food there. But it’s also so peaceful. Seoul is crowded and narrow and everyone is busy all the time, but in Dallas, the roads are big. Everything is big. I miss all that space.
Is there anything we haven’t touched on that you’d love to share?
CHUNG HA: I’m prioritizing new music, so it’s definitely on the horizon.
CHUNG HA, photo courtesy of MORE VISION
ICYMI: Interview with CRAVITY
CRAVITY, photo courtesy of Starship Entertainment
I’m always rooting for these sweet guys so much. If you missed last week’s chat with them, check it out now.
Song Rec of the Week:
It’s been out for months, but this ATEEZ single just cracked my On Repeat playlist this week. Hongjoong saying “get up” at the beginning activates some kind of sleeper cell trigger within me, I think. Anyways, where are those tour dates?
Fan Chant: CHUNG HA Is Ready to Get Personal
Mary Siroky
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