CHUNG HA Is Back With Her First Studio Album, ‘Querencia’
K-pop solo star CHUNG HA has returned to the music scene with Querencia, a long-awaited full-length studio album, by her side.
This is after her albums Hands on Me, Offset, Blooming Blue, and Flourishing. Each previous one had adhered to one concept with a single title track to anchor the release. However, CHUNG HA came back with a different plan for Querencia. The album is split up into four sections with four songs in their corresponding sections. Her tracklist feels like a rollercoaster, and once on, listeners are unable to get off. The name of the album comes from a term in bullfighting where a bull feels at home and is most empowered. Contemporary usage has transformed it into meaning a metaphysical home from where you draw your strength and you are at your most authentic. CHUNG HA has done just that by unleashing her most original and empowering work to date. In a discussion with influential k-pop interviewer Eric Nam, CHUNG HA confessed that she has finally been able to pursue her dream of trying new styles and “going with the flow.”
Side A {NOBLE} is the first quarter of her tracklist. Every song is refined and chic in its own right. Songs such as “Masquerade” and “Luce Sicut Stellae” (meaning “light like a star”) stick to this album’s Latin Fusion origins. In an interview with WiLD 94.9 Radio, she explained the reasons for creating an album with a Latin Fusion feel. As a child, CHUNG HA was raised in Dallas, Texas, as well as Seoul, South Korea. While in Dallas, she was always surrounded by Spanish-speaking friends and Latino music. As a result, she’s always wanted to sing in Spanish but never had the chance to until now. Although the language barrier was tough, she was more than ready to tackle the obstacle. The album and lead-off track “Bicycle” was dropped on February 15. The first live performances came from her Querencia Showcase, which broadcasted an array of tracks. Bicycle encourages empowerment and the feeling of moving on and accepting oneself. “I’ll be the strongest thing, don’t miss it!” CHUNG HA says in her rap verse. The lyrics give a sensual feel to the track with a lot of it focusing on moving on from the past. She taunts the audience to watch her rise in the k-pop industry since leaving her previous group, I.O.I.
Side B {SAVAGE} is led by the pre-released single, “Stay Tonight,” which has become a fan favorite. It incorporates a modern and clean tone to the music, paired with her powerful vocals. Typically, anti drops (tracks that have a chorus that is more minimal than the build-up to it) are not well-liked, especially in the realm of k-pop. CHUNG HA delivered the perfect anti-drop with chilling tension yet powerful drama on this retro-inspired pop track. Best known for her dancing abilities, the choreography for “Stay Tonight” comes alive with voguing, whacking, and tutting movements, which are not common in typical k-pop dance routines. However, this might be changing as artists such as Irene & Seulgi have also used tutting in their recent single “Naughty.” CHUNG HA collaborated with Dutch-Morrocan DJ, R3HAB on “Dream of You,” which along with “Flying on Faith” are both completely sung in English. The final song on the {SAVAGE} side is “Chill,” which is one of our personal favorites. At first, it comes off as a bright and cheerful song, with CHUNG HA’s voice belting out positive emotions. However, the chorus feels somewhat bittersweet and acts as the perfect conclusion for the four-song set. The tracks in this section represent CHUNG HA’s full-out pop-centric side imbued with energy and wild beats, perfect for dancing and having a carefree time. Truly Savage indeed.
Side C {UNKNOWN} has the most dynamic arrangement of tracks on this album. Except for her fan-dedicated song “BYULHARANG,” all the other tracks are experimental collaborations with other artists. “PLAY (feat. Changmo)” was a pre-released single from last July and it has already garnered over 28 million views on YouTube. The songs on Side C exemplifies what makes CHUNG HA unique in the k-pop world. Her experimental chameleon-like arrangements and ability to collaborate with wildly different artists have brought her international acclaim. She has strayed far from the footsteps of other k-pop stars and their cookie-cutter mega-hit-a-minute formula. What stands out in this section of the album is her first Spanish-Korean hybrid track. In collaboration with Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa, the song adheres to strong Latin roots, while also showing dashes of modern k-pop aesthetics throughout. CHUNG HA starts off the song with smooth Spanish lyrics, “Cada vez que me acerco tu amor se escapa / Y me dejas toda sola empapada / Con las lágrimas como llamas.” The entire album can be distilled into these lines, CHUNG HA is leaving behind a painful past for a new future. The lyrics express the pain of leaving someone behind while reminiscing on the nuances in the relationship. CHUNG HA’s last addition to Side C {UNKNOWN} is the heartfelt, “BYULHARANG (160504 +170607).” That’s a mouthful for a song name and deserves a little explanation. Byulharang is what her official fanbase is called. The first number is the day that her previous group I.O.I debuted on, the second being her solo debut date. Its lyrics (“You held my hand when I was tired and worn out… I’ll be your light / And shine on you forever”) are dedicated to her supporters. She thanks them for being by her side through all the struggles and obstacles they had to face together. At the end of the day, she promises to be their star and to look after them, as they did so selflessly for her.
CHUNG HA’s last puzzle piece to Querencia is Side D {PLEASURES}, which is filled with feel-good, relaxing songs to calm her listeners down. It begins on a quiet note, singing to herself, “Finally, I think I found my place / All the closed doors now open for me,” after what seems to be relationship struggles in CHUNG HA’s life. Her final pre-release single “X” acts as a good riddance letter to the heartbreak and anxiety that came with an unrequited relationship. “This position didn’t shape me… ‘Now farewell’ is now a greeting,” she sings as her tone lightens up, introducing the chorus. CHUNG HA shows that she is willing to open new doors and forget about the pain of being with a lover who never reciprocated their feelings. Although the memories and scars of this past relationship haunt her, she cleans up the messy pieces and puts them away, signifying new beginnings and the beauty of moving forward. The rest of Side D share a similar attitude of redemption and perseverance. They are neither too upbeat nor hyper, unlike “Play” or even “Dream of You.” But this kind of ending to Querencia wraps up in a bow the message CHUNG HA wishes to express with her new album. Her final wish is to focus on the importance of self-acceptance, independence, and moving on from bad experiences.
This album’s title, Querencia, says it all. In a recent interview with Brooke Morrison, CHUNG HA was asked about the meaning of the title in relation to each and every song. In a thoughtful answer, CHUNG HA replied, “At the end, I just want Querencia to be a shelter for the listeners because of the pandemic and health issues [going on].” To the fans that are struggling during these tumultuous times, she reminds them to, “[Not] get tied up… care for yourself… [you] are what you should be caring about.” This final piece of advice wraps up what CHUNG HA intended to do with her newest music. She hopes that her fans and listeners can use Querencia as a shelter and home while everyone is dealing with their everyday struggles. The pandemic has caused a multitude of raw emotions but Querencia is here to calm our minds and hearts. Its very purpose is to spread optimism and positivity near and far. Be sure to listen to her latest music here.
Columnist | K-pop Stan | Tweet me @senaho5
