Returning with a vengeance after a two-year absence, CHUNG HA declares emphatically: "I'm ready to get this stage."
Heard repeatedly throughout 'I'm Ready', the B-side to her latest comeback's title track, 'EENIE MEENIE', the line reveals the urgency that the K-pop artist — whose final pre-hiatus release was July 2022's Bare&Rare, Pt. 1 — has in picking up where she left off.
In the single album EENIE MEENIE, her first project under her new label, Jay Park's MORE VISION, the 28-year-old doubles down on everything that helped to propel her to stardom — from powerful and stable vocal performances to the impassioned execution of dance choreographies.
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Credit: MORE VISION
Not one to settle for anything less than what she thinks is her best, CHUNG HA also brings an increased appetite for greatness to her latest release. The high standards to which she holds herself are shown in her dissatisfaction with her performance in the music video for 'I'm Ready', which has drawn nothing but praise from entranced viewers since its release.
As seen in a behind-the-scenes featurette on the music video, the singer and dancer laments not being able to "give her all" while filming the song's physically demanding waacking choreography. She then — in true CHUNG HA fashion — promises to show fans a "better version" of herself in the future.
Even as the former I.O.I. member flips open the pages of a new book in the series that she has been penning since venturing into the music scene, she assures those who have been following her that the CHUNG HA they have come to know will not be going anywhere, even if there are changes to her environment or sound.
Before her return to Singapore to perform at Marquee's fifth anniversary celebration, Bandwagon caught up with CHUNG HA to chat about her latest comeback, her relationship with the dancers she works with, and what keeps her motivated to improve artistically.
Hi, CHUNG HA, congratulations on your recent comeback! You had been away from making music for quite some time before releasing your single album, EENIE MEENIE. What were some goals that you had for yourself going into this comeback?
Hey Bandwagon! Thank you so much! Returning with 'EENIE MEENIE' after a bit of a break was definitely a big moment for me. My main aim with this comeback was to show growth and evolution both as an artist and as a performer. I wanted to challenge myself with new styles and concepts and just wanted to bring something fresh and exciting to the table while still staying authentic to who I am as CHUNG HA.
What’s interesting about the project is that the title track, ‘EENIE MEENIE’, has a sound that’s quite different from what you’ve done before while the B-side, ‘I’m Ready’, is something your longtime fans would find more familiar. What are the stories behind the two tracks, and how did they come to be paired for this release?
With 'EENIE MEENIE', I wanted to challenge myself musically and explore a different sound, diving into hip-hop influences, which was a bit of a departure from my usual style. On the other hand, 'I'm Ready' feels like my signature sound — it's that familiar ‘Dream of You’ and ‘Stay Tonight’ kind of vibe that my fans know and love. Pairing them together felt like the perfect balance, giving listeners a taste of something fresh with 'EENIE MEENIE' while also delivering that familiar CHUNG HA energy with 'I'm Ready'.
Pairing them together felt like the perfect balance, giving listeners a taste of something fresh with 'EENIE MEENIE' while also delivering that familiar CHUNG HA energy with 'I'm Ready'.
Aside from doing the ‘I’m Ready’ dance challenge with other K-pop artists, you have also used it as a way to spotlight dancers who appear alongside you in the song’s music video, such as KiKi, JAYME, and KINKY. What kind of relationship do you try to build with the dancers you work with during each comeback? How does that help you when you are performing with them?
Collaborating with my dance team feels like hanging out with my closest buddies. We're more like family than just coworkers. Whether it's KiKi, JAYME, KINKY, La Chica crew, or my dancer team from 'EENIE MEENIE,' we’ve formed deep personal connections over time. Our bond is totally natural. We often chill outside of rehearsals, so the strong connection we've formed really amps up our performance on stage. Having that friendship makes every performance even more special.
@chun9ha_official I'm ready to get this 🫰✨ with #JAYME #KiKi #CHUNGHA #청하 #ImReady #청하_ImReady #ImReadychallenge ♬ I’m Ready - CHUNG HA
What keeps you motivated to continue pushing yourself artistically — both as a singer and a dancer?
As I've matured in my career, I've become more fearless in exploring new creative avenues. I no longer conform to others' expectations or let external factors dictate my artistic journey. Instead, I focus on expressing myself genuinely through my music and performances. Whether it's trying out different musical genres or pushing the boundaries of my dance choreography, I'm always seeking new challenges that help me evolve artistically.
As I've matured in my career, I've become more fearless in exploring new creative avenues.
Credit: MORE VISION
Finally, let’s talk about your fans, HAARTs. What do you treasure about them the most? How does it feel to be able to perform for your international fans, such as those in Singapore, again?
My HAARTs mean everything to me. Their support, their energy, their unconditional love – it's what keeps me motivated and inspired. And I’m thrilled to be performing for my fans in Singapore at Marquee! I don’t often get the chance to see my HAARTs outside of Korea, and I haven't had the opportunity for a solo tour yet, so I hope to meet more of my international fans through future tours. Singapore, please invite me back more often! And a big thank you to Marquee for inviting me to perform.
My HAARTs mean everything to me. Their support, their energy, their unconditional love – it's what keeps me motivated and inspired.
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