After all the anticipation, HWASA of the four-member girl group MAMAMOO has finally returned with a new solo music project, which comes two years after her single album 'Guilty Pleasure,' released in November 2021. This also marks her first release after signing with PSY's label, P NATION last June.

Known not only for her multifaceted talent but also for how she fearlessly breaks barriers, speaks up, and defies norms, among others, HWASA, who debuted as a solo in 2019, is back again with another empowering song, "I Love My Body."

The track is all about, from the title itself, appreciating and loving your own body, including all of its beautiful and strange parts. In this time where society could be harsh about one's physical appearance and how one is expected to live up to people's "beauty" standards, HWASA's new single glorifies people of all ages, encouraging everyone to embrace and accept themselves as they are. 

In commentation of HWASA's highly-anticipated return to the K-Pop scene, allkpop had the pleasure of chatting with the artist to talk about her latest single and experience working on it and share her future plans, a piece of advice, and more. Keep reading to learn more about HWASA! 

HWASA's shout-out video to allkpop readers:

allkpop: Hi, HWASA! First of all, I want to congratulate you on your new song, "I Love My Body"! You said that you put a lot of effort into recording the chorus. Tell us your experience working on the track as well as how the recording process for this went through. 

HWASA: It was challenging. It felt awkward initially because I had been involved in songwriting in order to write a song that suited me. I had to put in a lot of effort to re-record it and capture the right vibe.

allkpop: After two years, you came back with a single. Though some of your fans are anticipating an EP or maybe a full-length album, do you have any plans on doing that? Also, this is your first release after signing with P Nation! How was it working with your new label, with PSY? 

HWASA: I haven't released a full-length album as a solo artist yet, so my goal for the next comeback is definitely to release one. During the long hiatus between my solo albums, I was feeling a bit weighed down, but meeting PSY was like a breath of fresh air. He shared a lot of his accumulated knowledge with me, and I'm really grateful for that.

allkpop: Not only "I Love My Body" is a good song but it also has a good message. You're someone who goes against stereotypes. What message would you tell to anyone afraid of speaking up for themselves? What's something that you do that you want to tell people and, maybe that "something" might be of help to them too? 

HWASA: Each and every person is important, precious, and unique. The protagonist of your life is you, and we all live as the main characters in our own life stories. So, let's acknowledge, have faith in, and cherish the worth of that special and unique individual.

allkpop: As this release is about self-love, I wanted to ask: what do you love the most about yourself, and what are you most proud of? 

HWASA: I appreciate the lines of my body. I simply admire them. It feels a bit awkward to say I take pride in them, but I've always had confidence in my lower body from a young age. I've really liked having strong thighs that stand out wherever I go. However, recently, as I've been losing weight, my lower body has become slimmer, and that makes me a bit sad.

allkpop: Could you complete this sentence? "I'm most happy when..." When are you happiest? 

HWASA: I am most happy when I am creating music and performing on stage.

allkpop: You're someone who gives strength to people who doubt themselves, but for you, where do you get your strength and comfort most from? 

HWASA: I derive energy from the artists I admire. Even on days when my self-esteem is at its lowest, simply by observing and feeling connected to these individuals, I sense that my life has become more robust. Having admiration for someone else is truly wonderful.

allkpop: I watched MAMAMOO's 'MY CON' tour, and I was so stunned seeing you live on stage, hearing your strong live vocals! You're known as someone who has really great vocal skills. I was wondering how you usually respond to people complimenting your vocals and just you being talented? 

HWASA: Thank you! For me, it serves as the motivation to keep moving forward.

allkpop: What are the things you do as a routine before you take the stage? Do you still feel kind of nervous sometimes when facing a huge crowd, or are you now just full of confidence, someone who thinks of just fully enjoying the time on stage? 

HWASA: Preparing my set list requires a lot of physical stamina, so I need to be more selective and attuned to my physical condition before going on stage. It's essential to have nourishing meals that strike a balance between light and heavy. Stretching is crucial, and I need to warm up my voice without straining my neck or overusing my vocal cords. I carefully monitor the condition of my throat when speaking. It's best to opt for lightweight clothing and ensure my choice of shoes is comfortable. Before going on stage, I avoid rushing; instead, I take my time to feel energized and always apply some perfume. As I perform more frequently, my stage fright lessens, but I still get nervous when I step on stage after a long break.

allkpop: It's been almost a decade since you debuted with MAMAMOO! Looking back, what do you think are the things that have helped you become who you are right now? 

HWASA: I can't pinpoint just one. I’m here only because MAMAMOO exists.

allkpop: I think that during your time in the music industry, you’ve already achieved so much success. Do you have any wishes or goals for MAMAMOO and yourself? 

HWASA: My goal would be to live a healthy and joyful life.

Socials:

Instagram: @_mariahwasa
YouTube: HWASA