It’s 2016. Produce 101, one of K-pop’s greatest reality survival shows, has begun airing—and we’re watching an audition for an aspiring idol who’s just showed the audience her prepared routine together with her stage partner. Bae Younjung, eventual mentor and judge, spontaneously asks her to freestyle some dance moves on the spot. Beyonce’s Yoncé comes on, and within seconds—a star has been born. The trainee in question? Kim Chung-ha, who then went on to debut as part of I.O.I and went solo after.
Eight years on, the South Korean singer, who goes by her stage name Chung Ha, is considerably one of the most recognised soloists in the industry—best known for rousing hits such as ‘Rollercoaster’, ‘Gotta Go’ and ‘Snapping’. The one thing in common they all had? An exceedingly powerful choreography, that could only have been delivered by someone so immensely confident in her live performance capabilities. And after having gone on a mini hiatus during the past two years, her latest comeback—led by ‘Eenie Meenie’ with ATEEZ’s Hongjoong—not only marked a fresh start for the artist who recently signed with Jay Park’s entertainment agency More Vision, but also cemented her immaculate ability to make every stage her own.
But as for what was the true testament to her dance roots? Full-throttle on the waacking, reminiscent of her greatest hits and brimming with passion for her art, it was doubtlessly ‘I’m Ready’, which came accompanied by an extended performance video recently. “It holds a special place in my heart—it’s my anthem. I wanted to express my readiness to return to the stage with full force,” Chung Ha declares with confidence.
And we’ll soon be able to reap the rewards of her efforts. Ahead of her first-ever performance at Marquee Singapore this weekend, Chung Ha opens up about her comeback, her time at More Vision so far and what fans can expect from her upcoming stage.
Congratulations on your return under More Vision, and your recent comeback. How have promotions been going for you and how are you feeling about finally returning to the stage?
Hey Vogue Singapore, thank you! My promotions for ‘Eenie Meenie’ are winding down, and it feels like I’m returning to my usual routine. It was quite hectic managing all the activities for my comeback, but it was also incredibly rewarding. Being back on stage and reconnecting with my fans has been such a joy. Right now, I’m gearing up for more content related to ‘I’m Ready’, so stay tuned for what’s coming next.
’Eenie Meenie’, your title track, is definitely a different sound for you with its hip-hop influences. What do you like most about it now and how were you feeling about it in its production process?
I was drawn to ‘Eenie Meenie’ because it was an opportunity for me to try something new. It was definitely a departure from my usual melodic style, so I was initially uncertain about how my voice would fit into this different sound. But as we delved deeper into the production process, those concerns started to fade away. It ended up exceeding my expectations, so I hope you love it as much as I do.
What was it like working with Hongjoong for ‘Eenie Meenie’?
Working with Hongjoong was incredible. I’ve always admired his artistry and have always wanted to collaborate with ATEEZ. They bring such an electrifying energy to their performances. When it came to ‘Eenie Meenie’, I was searching for someone unique to add that extra flair, and Hongjoong’s verse took the song to a whole new level. His creative lyrics and sound truly elevated the track. Despite his busy schedule, he flew back to Korea just to shoot the music video, which meant a lot to me. Huge shoutout to Hongjoong and his team for their amazing work.
View this post on Instagram
Whilst ‘Eenie Meenie’ may be your title track, ‘I’m Ready’ feels very much like a declaration of your return. What were you thinking about when you were writing this track?
‘I’m Ready’ holds a special place in my heart—it’s my anthem. When I wrote this track, I wanted to express my readiness to return to the stage with full force. It’s a declaration of confidence, saying, “I am prepared to embrace new beginnings and overcome any obstacles.” My wish is for listeners to feel empowered by this song, ready to take on whatever comes their way.
You included a great deal of waacking in the choreography for ‘I’m Ready’, how was that experience like for you?
When I first heard ‘I’m Ready’, I just knew it was going to be one of those powerful performance songs, much like ‘Stay Tonight’ and ‘Dream of You’. As you all probably know, waacking is something I love, so I was super excited to have Rian and Love Ran choreograph it. They crafted movements that truly capture the essence of the song. The choreography tells the story of a snake shedding its skin—hence symbolising my own rebirth and the start of a brand new era for Chung Ha. Working on this song was an absolute blast, and the response to the trailer video was so overwhelming that we just had to release an extended version of the performance video.
How are you feeling about your upcoming Marquee Singapore performance?
It’s going to be so much fun. The stage might be a little small so I won’t be able to show my full performance, but it’s all good because I can connect with my fans up close. I’m also really excited because it will be my first time performing ‘Eeenie Meenie’ and ‘I’m Ready’ overseas. Singapore…I hope you’re ready.
This isn’t your first time in Singapore. Is there anything in particular that you’d like to do since you’re in town again?
Singapore holds a special place in my heart. I visited last year for vacation, and I’m thrilled to be back for more adventures. From finally trying out chilli crab to enjoying Bacha coffee with my team and capturing moments with the Merlion, every experience here is one-of-a-kind. It’s these little things that make each trip unforgettable, and I’m so excited about creating more memories in Singapore.
It’s no secret that Jay Park is now a mentor figure during your time at More Vision. What is a recent piece of advice he gave you as you embark on this new phase of your career?
Jay has been an incredible mentor to me, no doubt about it. Lately, he’s been urging me to break out of my shell and truly connect with everyone at More Vision. Since I’m still adjusting to the label and tend to be a bit shy, it’s taking me some time to familiarise myself with all the team members. Jay’s advice has been invaluable—he’s pushing me to reach out and build relationships with every individual, even those I don’t usually interact with. I’m really taking his words to heart and am determined to stretch my boundaries.
Considering you’ve experimented with the hip-hop genre now, are there new genres that you would personally like to try?
I’ve always had a passion for R&B music, and it’s the genre I personally enjoy listening to the most. So, I’m looking forward to working on some R&B tracks soon. Beyond new music genres, I would also like to explore a Y2K-led concept—anything that is reminiscent of the ‘00s aesthetic and sound.
The mood of your comeback certainly sets the expectations high for the possibility of more new music soon. Although there’s no set timeline, is this something we can look forward to in the near future?
I can’t reveal all the details just yet, but my team and I are cooking up a summer song. We’re also planning to drop more tracks by the end of the year. So stay tuned—I won’t keep you waiting too long.
Chung Ha will be performing as part of the Oh-K! series at Marquee Singapore on 13 April.
