The path that artist CHANMINA has walked over the past few years is nothing short of fascinating. From confronting the pressures of “lookism” and redefining beauty standards with “BIJIN (美人),” to boldly declaring that genre and language hold no boundaries through the genre-fluid album Naked, she has continually expanded her artistic horizons. Her flawless performance at Summer Sonic 2024—delivered while heavily pregnant—challenged societal norms about motherhood, and her role as a judge on the audition program No No Girls gave concrete shape to teenage solidarity rooted in her own experiences. Having crossed major life milestones such as marriage and childbirth, and leading the creation of the girl group HANA, CHANMINA is now crafting a new narrative centered on the theme of “responsibility.” Over the course of nine years, she has channeled her thoughts and philosophy into her music, broadcasting her vision as a true pioneer. With her landmark concert in Korea scheduled for September 18—just about a month away—I took the opportunity to explore her inner world and current mindset through a written interview.
The past year or two must have been a whirlwind for you — from producing the audition program No No Girls to touring, releasing new music, and performing on a variety of stages. Looking back on everything you’ve done, what changes or emotions stand out to you the most?
CHANMINA: The most significant change and emotion for me was getting married, welcoming my daughter, and seeing HANA make their debut — all at once, I suddenly had people I needed to protect. That gave me a deeper sense of responsibility, which, in turn, became a strong feeling that I needed to truly live.
Your recent Japan tour, “AREA OF DIAMOND 3,” wrapped up to great success. With the tour growing in scale, it must have opened up more possibilities for what you could try on stage. And through No No Girls, I imagine you also gained a more objective perspective on your own performances. What message did you hope to convey through this tour, and were there any aspects of the stage production you paid special attention to?
CHANMINA: For this tour, I chose the theme of “Ruby,” which carries the meaning of “walking the path of victory.” To me, victory isn’t about competing with others — it’s about overcoming myself. Over the past year or two, I’ve truly come to understand just how difficult that can be. That’s why I decided to take on this tour under the “Ruby” theme. When you hear “the path of victory,” it sounds dazzling, but there are inevitably painful moments along the way. I wanted to capture that contrast, yet center the production on the bright, glamorous side that people see. I think it ended up being the most radiant stage I’ve ever put on in all my tours.
Your performances go beyond simple collaborations with dancers or live bands — they feel like full-fledged works of art with powerful concepts and direction. In “AREA OF DIAMOND,” the “BIJIN” stage made a strong impact with the act of wiping off your makeup to drive the song’s message home. At the Music Awards Japan, your entrance from above, choreography using a chair, and staging with a treadmill were equally memorable. When creating stages — whether for solo concerts or other performances — do you usually take the lead in proposing the concepts and ideas? And where do you typically find inspiration for your stage direction?
CHANMINA: Sometimes ideas just come to me out of the blue, but I’m always thinking about how I can express a song’s message in a more artistic way — how I can make it resonate more, or make it more fun. I keep mulling it over until, at some point, I go, “Oh, this could really work.” One of the things I care about most is how effectively the performance communicates the song’s message.
From the very start of your career, you’ve gone beyond the simple category of a “rapper” or “hip-hop artist.” In particular, the singles you’ve released over the past two years feel incredibly diverse in both genre and direction. In terms of how you create and approach your music, what would you say has changed the most?
CHANMINA: I don’t think much has changed. If I had to point to something, it would be that as I’ve honed my skills, the range of things I can do has expanded. And because I’ve always loved all kinds of music without being bound by genre, I feel like the number of things I can try has grown as well. With my label, NO LABEL MUSIC, I see it as a space where music can be truly free, without being tied down to any genre. Based on that sense of freedom, I want to keep expressing my life through my music. So, while I don’t limit myself to any one style, I have a deep respect for all genres.
“WORK HARD” stands out in your discography for its intense electronic sound, which is quite rare for you. The rapid-fire rap over a tight rhythm was also striking. You’ve mentioned before that you often keep a collection of song ideas and choose a suitable track when the time comes to work on something. Was this song also developed from a pre-existing idea in that way? And when you’re creating music, do you tend to set a specific genre in advance, or do you generally prefer to experiment freely with different styles?
CHANMINA: I usually like to experiment freely with a variety of genres. “WORK HARD” was created with the image of driving myself forward, like a whip cracking, in my mind. I spend a lot of time turning ideas over in my head, and when I finally get into the studio, the ideas just burst out all at once.
You’re actively working within both Korean and Japanese cultural landscapes. Linguistically, you effortlessly switch between Japanese, Korean, and English in your songs. I’m curious how working between these two environments affects you in terms of language, identity, or emotional expression. Also, even when conveying the same message, do you feel there are differences in how expressions or emotions come across depending on the language you use?
CHANMINA: It’s true that the range of genres I can try has expanded, but I wouldn’t say my approach has changed drastically. I tend to write based on whatever I’m feeling at the moment, so I don’t really set any strict boundaries. Even when the message is the same, I often feel that the way emotions are conveyed differs depending on the language I use.
The audition program No No Girls, created through your collaboration with the agency BMSG, has even received supportive voices from fans in Korea. Why do you think the program resonated so deeply and received such positive reactions from so many people?
CHANMINA: Throughout the audition, I was fully sincere, and every participant was genuinely committed—there was no pretense at all. The show highlighted very real moments where people’s lives and emotions collide. No No Girls wasn’t artificially produced; the different kinds of “NO” that the contestants faced are the kinds of challenges many of us have likely encountered in our own lives. I think people naturally connected with the show because it reflected wounds and struggles we all experience at some point. There was definitely a sense of authenticity shared by the producers, the participants, and myself alike.
Personally, what struck me most about No No Girls was that it wasn’t simply focused on debuting, but rather it was a project that also seriously considered the contestants’ futures beyond that. While most audition programs set debut as the ultimate goal, No No Girls seemed to focus deeply on exploring what music and dance truly mean to the participants, and how those art forms can coexist with the world and make an impact. I imagine this was possible because it reflects your own experiences to some extent.
CHANMINA: I wanted to convey that no one should ever feel ashamed of their dreams, no matter what those dreams are. I also hoped this audition could be the first step toward making those dreams come true. Of course, given the nature of an audition, some participants weren’t able to stay until the end. But since they have become a part of my life, I feel a responsibility toward them as well. So, whenever they have struggles or need help, I’m there to reach out. The path to nurturing a dream is often shaky and sometimes scary. I want to be someone who stands by those friends. I hope they can use me as a stepping stone in a positive way.
HANA, who debuted through No No Girls, achieved remarkable success with their debut single “ROSE,” which even reached number one on the Billboard Japan HOT 100. Despite having the same verses and chorus, each member brought completely different expressions to the song, giving a clear sense of the team’s strengths. The song’s message also seemed to capture the spirit of the audition well. When working on “ROSE,” what was the main focus you wanted to emphasize?
CHANMINA: “ROSE” was created from the mindset of “I need to live, too.” Since the song represents the lives of the HANA members, I feel that while they keep me going, I’m also determined to support and uplift HANA. So, the song focuses on the meaning of truly “living.” I wrote it shortly after giving birth, after going through a lot of hardship. The members’ voices, filled with their deep understanding of my feelings and message, played a huge role in bringing the song to life. I felt that the members were the perfect vessel to carry such a powerful message. As for the details I paid special attention to, while I wrote the song, it’s HANA who performs it, so I made sure to carefully check the choice of words and tone in the lyrics to suit them.
Living in the age of social media, we inevitably become conscious of the image we present to others. In trying so hard to show something to the outside world, there’s often little time left to reflect on our true selves. In this context, I believe your role and presence—as someone who expresses your “authentic self” regardless of societal judgment—has grown increasingly important. The fact that more and more people find strength in your message is proof of that. Given that showing your true self can sometimes lead to hurt or misunderstanding, what keeps you honest and genuine despite those challenges? What drives you to stay true to yourself?
CHANMINA: Above all, I try not to be swept away by my emotions. When I’m face-to-face with my fans, I want to fully convey the feelings and love I have inside me at that moment. So, every time, I approach my performance as if my life depends on it.
Lastly, could you share a message for your Korean fans? Since this upcoming concert is your first in 1 year and 6 months, I imagine it holds special meaning for you. What are your hopes or feelings heading into this show?
CHANMINA: Thank you sincerely for all your support. I will continue to work hard so I can visit more often, and I hope you’ll continue to watch me give my best every time. Above all, I want to say, “I love you.” Korea is my homeland, the country where I was born and one I hold dear. I truly hope I can convey my gratitude, love, and message clearly to all the fans cheering for me there.