“I’m incredibly excited and it still feels surreal,” says South Korean singer and songwriter Hyolyn ahead of her Indian stage debut at the K-Wave Festival in Mumbai and Bengaluru this weekend. Known for her powerful vocals and energetic stage performances, Hyolyn began her music career in 2010 as a member of girl group Sistar and soon led its sub-unit, Sistar 19. After the group’s disbandment in 2017, he chose his own path. An independent artist. Hyolyn’s husky airy vocals in popular K-drama OSTs such as Goodbye (My Love from the Star) and Our Tears (Hwarang) demonstrated her ability as a singer. Returning with Vet this August, the 33-year-old is all set to embark on her Enchanted Halloween US tour. He spoke exclusively to HT City about being a part of the K-Wave Festival, choosing the solo path and much more.
Hyolyn, this is your first appearance in India and you are making your debut at the second edition of the K-Wave Festival. What can fans expect?
I’m incredibly excited, and it still feels surreal. I am very happy that I will be coming to India to share my music and perform there in person. It feels like a dream that I will finally be able to meet all my fans in India who are supporting me. To all those who have shown so much love for the artist ‘Hyolin’, I want to show an even more perfect version of ‘Hyolin’ on stage through the K-Wave Festival.
Is there anything on your India bucket list?
I want to try getting a henna tattoo in India. I have always been curious about it.
This August, you made your musical comeback with Wait, and now you’re all set for your North American tour. How would you describe this phase of your career compared to when you debuted?
I feel like I can now showcase my identity – why I started a solo career and what kind of music I want to share. I am immensely proud of my work so far and have no regrets. I’m making and pushing my music.
With hit songs like Daily, See See and One Way Love, which showcase your versatility, what has changed in your musical process and you as an artiste?
In the process of creating my own music, I love that I can incorporate my own stories into the songs. This sounds like a change to me. In the past, I was the only person who understood the songs, but now, I want to help the audience understand my music.
You have lent your voice to memorable OSTs of K-dramas like Master’s Son to Love from the Star. Is it easier to sing drama OSTs than your own compositions?
I sing every song as if it is my own, because every song I sing is my singing, and that song automatically becomes mine. But yes, my own compositions are actually in a higher range of notes.
How is it going single route? Is it more challenging or liberating than being in a group?
I appreciate that I have more room to explore alone than I do as a member of a group. I also like that the songs and choreography aren’t set anymore, so I’m able to express myself more freely. Because I’ve been made to oversee every aspect of myself as an artist, the personal responsibility I feel for my work is stronger, and that’s great, too.
How do you cope with life in the spotlight? Does it become overwhelming at any point? How does one draw a line between public and private life?
I am very grateful for this. To be loved so much – I think it keeps a person constantly longing and yearning for it. It’s almost as if one cannot live without such love. As far as my life as an artist and my life as a person, I often want them to be kept separate, but I’m not very good at drawing that line. What one can see in me as an artist is a part of who I am and the artist is a part of who I am as a person. I don’t want to force them apart, because then I might become a false version of myself.
With K-pop becoming mainstream and becoming a global genre, is there constant pressure to stay relevant?
It is essentially so. I feel I need to mix trendiness into my music. Musical trends change rapidly, sometimes even returning to old trends. Sometimes, you need to compromise rather than stick to your music. Maybe I think this more because the styles of music I like to sing are very different from the styles of music I like to listen to.
Who has been an influence on your music? Any dream collaborations on your wish list?
I think I take inspiration from all artists, but the one that made me think, “That’s the kind of artist I want to be,” was Beyoncé. Other artists who made me realize my love for different genres include Doja Cat, Muni Long, and Tyla.
How would you define yourself as an artist?
I want to become an artist who not only excels in music but can also give an amazing stage performance. In other words, not just a singer who can sing well, but a singer who can also give a show that matches the song perfectly. I also want to be an artist who can contribute to bringing more attention to K-pop.
Have you had a chance to listen to Indian artists or songs? If given a chance, would you like to perform a typical Indian song and dance?
I’m not sure if I can do it naturally or not. But if I am given the chance I think it would be a fun experience.
