SEOUL – Singer Hwasa, a member of the powerhouse K-pop group Mamamoo, recently disclosed the astonishing story of how her fiercely independent streak nearly derailed her debut, recalling a time when company executives advocated for her dismissal.
Hwasa shared the anecdotes during an appearance on the YouTube channel '뜬뜬 DdeunDdeun' ('Tteun Tteun') for a "Mini Pinggyego" segment on October 16th.
The discussion, prompted by co-host Jo Se-ho asking about her musical idols during her trainee years, revealed Hwasa’s admiration for Western stars like Beyoncé and Rihanna. Hwasa then admitted to a spontaneous act of rebellion inspired by the latter.
"I saw Rihanna shave her head, and I immediately did the same to copy her," she confessed. "I thought it was cool, but the CEO gave me a huge scolding."
The timing of the impromptu haircut was particularly problematic, as the group was on the cusp of debut, and the company was pressuring her to quickly grow her hair out. Hwasa’s decision to shave her head without permission shocked her label.
"I was much more free-spirited when I was young," she explained. Despite the initial backlash, Hwasa noted that her CEO, Kim Do-hoon, ultimately took a favorable view of her audacity, telling her, "You are truly remarkable."
Comedian Yoo Jae-suk, also present, expressed his admiration for the CEO’s forbearance, remarking, "I don't know the CEO in detail, but he is a truly good person. He let Hwasa be herself."
Hwasa elaborated on the extent of the resistance she faced from the management team. "Other company executives wanted me cut," she revealed. "They thought I was too independent and wondered, 'Will she even be controllable later?'" Her unapologetic refusal to follow strict diet rules, a common industry expectation, further fueled their concerns. "I didn't lose weight during my trainee days either. I loved eating even back then," she added.
She expressed profound gratitude towards CEO Kim Do-hoon, whom she credits as the "only one who believed in me," saying he predicted she "would play an important role later on." This singular trust ultimately secured her place in Mamamoo.
Hwasa's recent release, the single 'Good Goodbye,' has brought her back into the spotlight with another dramatic transformation: a stylish bob. She explained that this is her first short haircut in four years, noting it was tailored to the new song's concept.
"I had my long hair for too long and felt suffocated. I wanted to cut it all off," she shared honestly, revealing she originally wanted an even shorter cut but was persuaded otherwise by her stylist.
The artist also spoke about a recent lifestyle shift, mentioning she has taken up running to combat lethargy. "Exercising has made a lot of things better," she said, adding that she is now "reorganizing herself and looking at the world anew." She concluded by stating she is currently "addicted to working out," recognizing that vitality and even kindness stem from physical fitness.
Hwasa debuted with Mamamoo in 2014, releasing major hits such as 'Piano Man,' 'Um Oh Ah Yeh,' and 'Decalcomanie.' Since launching her solo career in 2019, she has found significant success with tracks like 'twit' and 'Maria.' Her journey highlights a successful career built on powerful talent and an unwavering commitment to authenticity, even in the face of industry pressure.
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