Chung Ha, one of K-pop’s brightest solo stars, has made her highly anticipated return, a year and a half after releasing her 2022 album ‘Bare & Rare’. Putting herself first during her break from the spotlight was important for Chung Ha; she took the time to evaluate what she has achieved so far, revealing that her journey as a soloist after her group I.O.I split up was one of her proudest achievements. Chung Ha kickstarted a solo career after making it into the line-up via the Mnet survival show Produce 101, becoming one of K-pop’s most exciting and reliable solo stars.
After becoming a free agent, Chung Ha could have easily joined another agency instantly, but she decided to take her time to create a better work-life balance and figure out what she would like to do next. Among the suitors vying for Chung Ha’s attention were Jay Park’s More Vision, with Park and the label’s CEO taking turns to persuade her to sign with them. Chung Ha was sold on More Vision’s vision for her career, including “new, different music”, global touring and Korean concerts and proper promotions in the US.
Chung Ha’s bold first step in her new era with More Vision is the pulsating, club-ready track ‘I’m Ready’. Her vocals infused with supreme confidence and steely determination. “I think it really explains my state of mind right now,” she says of the song. The title track, ‘Eenie Meenie’ is similarly powerful, with ATEEZ leader Hongjoong dropping a dynamic rap verse into the song. Chung Ha’s face lights up when she mentions other new songs she premiered at festivals in Mexico City and Paris last year and teases about working on an album at the end of the year, which may or may not include her premiered tracks.
Whenever Chung Ha’s next album is ready and released, she’ll be back on stage, holding her long overdue first solo concert and world tour. Based on how she feels and the fun, fulfilling, and happy moments she experiences, Chung Ha will consider it a triumph. She’s not afraid of how she gets ranked anymore, sounding thoroughly ready to take on the world once again. Chung Ha’s new songs ‘Eenie Meenie’ and ‘I’m Ready’ are out now on Spotify, Apple Music and more
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