I see ChungHa is quickly being referred to as a "diva," and her latest music video for "Bicycle" is a great example.
The Produce 101 finalist and one of my favorite artists, ChungHa, released her highly anticipated first full-length album, "Querencia," on February 15. The 21 track album includes last year's mega-hits "Stay Tonight," "PLAY," “Everybody Has | 솔직히 지친다,” and "Dream of You (With R3HAB)," as well as the pre-released single "X (걸어온 길에 꽃밭 따윈 없었죠)," and the SUPER HAWT title track, "Bicycle."
Do I dare to compare ChungHa to Lee Hyori or BoA? I mean, she's definitely one of the flashiest, most open new generation KPop artists currently out there. She is adventurously bringing global influences into her work, just like these veteran divas did.
These women have broken so many stereotypes both in music and culture as a whole. Had it not been for them, KPop wouldn't be the significant phenomenon it is now, nor would it have started to break off from the hostile and tense Korean culture deeply rooted in conservatism. They have opened the door to so much change and a wider acceptance, especially within younger generations, of people different from "the norm."
Okay, I'm getting off-topic.
The music video for "Bicycle" has a darker mood than "Stay Tonight." She is also more blunt with her sexiness both in her performance and lyrics. I love that she is not afraid to break from stereotypes. I mean, I still think she's the first artist to have male background dancers in heels (referring to "Stay Tonight" MV). That, to me, was shocking, and it made me so happy. Plus, she incorporates some Spanish words into her music so naturally, further expanding her audience reach and enriching KPop with more global fusion.
SHE EVEN HAS A SONG HALF IN SPANISH THAT I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO PROCESS!!!
I had to stop in the middle of what I was doing as I listened to the album to realize my ears were being fed words in my mother's tongue. Track 13, "Demente," is half in Spanish and half in Korean. The song features Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa, and no, not only he sings/raps in Spanish. ChungHa REALLY sings in Spanish. That was my amusement.
Should I find it surprising from her? After all, she did live in my home state of Texas for 7-8 years while growing up--enough time for her to have become fluent in English and learn a lot of Spanish. This is why so much Latin influence in her music. I am curious now as to how much Spanish she knows. I would love to speak to her in Spanish to test her.
There is just so much to love about ChungHa, and even so much more to love ahead.
I admit, my last review from her pre-released single "X (걸어온 길에 꽃밭 따윈 없었죠)" was one with mixed feelings as the song didn't really grow on me. However, I found myself craving for the song a few days after I first heard it. I really do like it.
The second new notable feature in her album is with Colde in the track "Lemon." The song has semi-Latin vibes infused in Colde's sounds. Somehow, I find Colde has this distinctive signature sound in his songs and features that sets him apart. I can't explain it. If you know, you know.
If you're wondering the meaning of "Querencia," it is a Spanish word meaning something like a place or a person dear to you--like a tendency towards somewhere, something, or someone that makes you feel like home or safe. Basically, where you draw your strength from.
All in all, "Querencia" is a fantastic album that encompasses so much diversity in its style, from music genres to global artists and different languages. Let's not forget the feels--sensual, happy, playful, sad, nostalgic.
“Querencia” is available now on major streaming sites including iTunes and Spotify. Don’t forget to check them out and give them lots and lots o’ love!
What's your favorite thing and/or song about this album?
