If there's a Kpop Idol who DGAF about trends, it's Hwasa. She's in this industry for 10 YEARS, and she never cared about what others say, not even for a second.

People keep talking shit like they know her, and saying, it's like PSY's song, while the choreo was made by Kirsten Dodger, and the song was created by Ariana's producer.

And it's not like Hwasa do something she doesn't want to. Her WHOLE career was about HERSELF, not someone else. She sent "NA" back for PSY, TWICE, before she was satisfied with it.

She literally answers to no one, she was 15 years old when she wrote a diss track about her own boss at RBW, "I DO ME", and the guy loved it so much they included it on MAMAMOO's debut album.

You can tell Hwasa has a comeback, because everyone is whining about her looks and choreo again. The next day she's gonna more revealing clothes, I'm sure.😂

It's not like people, especially Knetz knows what they want.😂

Quote from Varenka

Hwasa definitely doesn't have a sound that is trendy from what I hear listening to other releases. Even for me, it's very hit or miss, before her latest release, I was really only rating "Twit." I can see why Knetz don't like it. Look at what's popular even among soloists. "NA" is in stark contrast to it. As long as she has her dedicated fans, then she should be fine though.

So many people tend to forget if an artist release something for the people, they already lost. If you release (in this case) a song for yourself, most people will like it, and even if they don't, the most important thing is that you love it. If you're making songs or anything for someone else, there's no reason to do this job. It's just a short-term popularity anyway.

I mean, people think, for example, Idols can do this for decades. Hwasa is 30 now, she can't release songs for the charts or the trends, because trends always changing, on a daily basis, you can follow trends when you're teen, or you're in your 20s, but the minute you hit 30, it's just lame. But real art won't be lame, ever.

Most of her Title Tracks probably won't remain mainstream after decades, maybe MARIA, but her B-Sides like: "LMM", "Just Talking to Myself", "ROAD", "O", etc will.

Quote from Varenka

I think the most common way go is release public-friendly songs, stabilize your base, and then release whatever you want after you build a strong base. Like, what ratio of Hwasa's base are Hwasa fans as opposed to Mamamoo fans following? How much is it general public? I think someone, maybe you, talked about soloists vs solo sub-units, and I feel like Hwasa is still in the sub-unit soloist stage as opposed to being just a soloist, so I think proper general public appeal is still important as she transitions in being a soloist that releases whatever she wants.

She has many fans whom are not MMM fans, but most of her fans are Moomoos, and Mamamoo never cared about trends or public-friendly songs and image. I mean, their debut song: "Mr. Ambiguous" is THE prime example, because no Kpop group debuted with a Jazz song before them or after them. Not to mention their diss tracks about the whole Kpop industry (HIP), and the cutesy style: (Um Oh Ah Yeh), it was also about the generalization of women, like many of their songs. Mamamoo as a group and as soloists built their entire career based on being "DGAF Queens".

Back in the early years, it was all Moomoo, I mean they had like 100 fans in Korea, they performed their debut song at Mnet for 3 people, all of which was a family member or friend of theirs. Since the "Immortal Songs 2" performances, the general public became their massive fans for years, that's why they were so strong between 2016-2020. Now, it's all Moomoos, again. I'd say, 90% and 10% gp. That's how it works for older groups.

As for Hwasa, in Korea she's one of the biggest female Kpop Idol thanks to her realness. The public loves her, even tho she's not as active on Variety Shows anymore.

I think, it's safe to say she passed her prime, mostly because Koreans already know who she is, and only young kids (or people who don't know her) think what she's doing is not okay. For everyone else, it's just another day at the office.😂

After 5 years as a soloist, she doesn't need to care about the gp, most Kpop listeners are young anyway, and most of her (and MMM) fans are older than 25 or 30. That's why she's not following the trends.

Quote from SooYoung

Honestly hwasa is kinda like hyuna to me personally

I was obsess with everything she used to release she was probably my #2 solo artist behind taeyeon

Everything she used to release was spot on, very good

Till this day i still listen to " i'm a B" very often

But since leaving RBW i don't know something just isn't clicking musically

I love my body was boring and forgettable

But NA is just bad.

Her sound now just sound outdated in the worst way possible

Her whole vibe and aesthetic looks more softer than it used to be and her strong sexy aesthetic she used to have used to really made her stand out

It's probably the reason why her digital performance and popularity decrease a LOT since leaving RBW

I think she really need to get a new team or go back to RBW cuz she's not on the right road right now

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It's not about RBW, because she got the same criticism for a decade since day 1. Her B-Sides are still amazing, even on this album. She wrote and composed 4 songs with the same guy who did, MARIA, LMM, TWIT and many hit MAMAMOO group/solo songs.

The reason you feel she's "outdated" and her "aesthetic looks more softer than it used to be", because it's not fresh anymore. Mamamoo as a group and as soloists fought "wars" with the industry to finally accept women like them, who doesn't look like a doll. Now, they can be themselves, not just MMM, but every female Idol, we can see more female Idols who doesn't look like a typical cute or sexy girl/woman.

This is the reason, Hwasa's style doesn't feel fresh. She's still doing what she always did, but it's not new anymore.

Also, RBW did and still doing a shit job at promoting them. Just look at Byul or Solar. I mean, their music is top quality, because they're making their own music, but on charts they're nonexistent as soloists. The same goes for Wheein. She can only chart with her OSTs, because people already calling her the next Taeyeon, meaning, the next OST Queen. No wonder, she left TheL1ve as well.😅

As a group they could top the charts, I'm 100% sure about this, but as soloists, they can't, not even Hwasa, because today's Kpop is different now, and soloists in general are not mainstream. Especially female soloists.

I mean, the ONLY Idol group soloist who's still popular is Taeyeon. Also, IU, but she's not a group member, and that's all, basically. I don't think I've seen any other female soloists on Melon charting on TOP100. At least, not in the TOP50.

Hwasa, Hyunah, Jessi play on the IDGAF, Edge lord, non conformist tropes of Kpop spectrum.

There is a market for it, but not a consistent one and that attitude jades very fast.

If Hwasa plays IDGAF, so can the listeners.

Still considering how few actually chart any decent, Hwasa is ok

And people wonder why only IU and Taeyeon made it far.

I think Hwasa just do whatever she wanted to do, until she can't anymore. That has always been her thing, even since trainee days.

I think she's doing relatively well for herself now that she can release songs that she wanted and try all sort of stuff. Even though Im not liking title songs she released so far, more liking the Bsides. But she can sing, dance and perform. It's not a matter of if she can, but when she can.

She’s always been stale much like MMM themselves.

But this isn’t necessarily a good or bad thing, artists are allowed to make the music they want to. And she has her fans as well. Being trendy isn’t the only goal.

Quote from Varenka

I mean, saying someone is past their prime is a bit much if their venture into solo work is only 5 years at this point lol She has a lengthy career ahead of her making music if she plays her cards right I just think she should splash a gp friendly title track in there. Once you have them, then no one is going to doubt you when you go on your experimental bend.

I was talking about charting, and massive sale numbers etc. To be fair, Hwasa never had big album sales, and since she's not doing much Variety content she can't chart like she used to, that's all I'm saying.

Her career isn't over, it's not just not easy to remain mainstream for more than 5 years in Kpop.

I don't think "NA" isn't a gp friendly song, I mean, "TWIT" or "MARIA" wasn't much different, both had meaningful lyrics, especially "MARIA", it was a message to the whole industry and haters, just like in "NA".

She has the gp for sure, but if an Idol doesn't do much Variety, they won't know anything about them. The public don't read articles, watch Music Shows, they watch TV, and that's all, basically. Only young people watch Music Shows.

She said, she's gonna promote her album for 2 weeks, and she's gonna appear on many Variety shows.

Honestly, if Hwasa and PSY want her to be more mainstream again, they have to send her to the biggest Variety shows, but she doesn't want that. She said, she doesn't care about charts and sales anymore. She also said, she doesn't want to be on many Varieties, because it's stressful. So far, she only appeared on shows run by her friends, like Kian84's YT show. He was the member of "I live alone" as well.

Quote from David33

I mean, the ONLY Idol group soloist who's still popular is Taeyeon. Also, IU, but she's not a group member, and that's all, basically. I don't think I've seen any other female soloists on Melon charting on TOP100. At least, not in the TOP50.

At least, my precious bias made some buzz on Melon

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I liked the song. But I agree about Hwasa not using her full potential. Many of her songs has this talk-rap refrain when she could do her godly vocals instead. I don't understand why does she like it this way. But it is her choice.

On another note. Just following trends takes away the identity of the singer. And it can make you much more dated than going against it at the first place. Hwasa's image is great, she just makes bad choices regarding her songs.

Song is good!

I am not shocked that AKP users do not like it, most of you have poor taste anyway

If a person doesn't know what they want then how can they read the trends?