Hyolyn Is Here: The K-Pop Star on Her First Indian Gig

I can imagine the lights dimming and people bursting into cheers as Hyolyn takes the stage, her presence stealing the show and her voice soaring over the beats and heartbeats. She’s performing at the K-Wave Festival—she and we for the first time are connecting live over her music! I got lucky enough to speak with her shortly before that. Hyolyn is feeling chipper as she opens our conversation, saying, “It is truly a special experience. It feels like a dream to be able to finally meet my fans in India, and I can’t wait to see them.”

A former member of the famed K-pop girl group Sistar, Hyolyn personifies the quintessential K-pop star. The singer-songwriter, a powerful voice in Korean R&B, shows comprehensive musicality in that her sound, performance, visuals, and attitude beautifully interact for something hip and sensuous. From the classic “See Sea,” “Say My Name,” “Dally,” and “Layin’ Low,” to the more recent “Wait,” Hyolyn takes an unapologetic approach to self-expression in the songs, with sensuousness central to her artistic expression. “As important as it is to make music that many will like, I think I focused more on whether my music represented my true self. But I also know that I may not always be received well. So, I have to reflect on who I am and how I can express myself through music.”

She’s thrilled to present “Hyolyn the Artist” at the K-Wave Festival. “I’m curious and excited to see what kind of music and performances the fans in India enjoy.” The K-Wave Festival is not only a reminder of the growing demand for K-content but also a means to show the power of India’s cultural offerings in forging global connections. “I was surprised that the people of India knew about me as an artist. As this is my first visit, I’m looking forward to how my Indian fans will react,” she reiterates as we speak. 

Hyolyn has been making music for more than a decade now. Her love for music and dance only intensified as she matured. In 2010, in a watershed moment, the rookie singer joined Sistar as its lead vocalist and broke out on the Korean music show Music Bank with the debut hit, “Push Push.” In its trajectory, Sistar was commercially very successful and one of the few Korean artists to have multiple peaking singles on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart (now known as the Circle Digital Chart). Following Sistar’s disbandment in 2017, Hyolyn moved on, keeping up an eclectic solo career and launching her label, Bridʒ. “I feel that my goals, motivations, and dreams may have scaled down in comparison to what they were when I first started my career as an artist. But if I continue to strive as I always have, I imagine a day will come when I find myself closer to the goals and dreams I had back then.”

In her songs, she blurs the lines of what a female artist can achieve physically and thematically. “Layin’ Low,” for example, evokes the sexual essence of a burning romance, which also turns out to be noxious. Inherently, her music rides on emotions and her inner musings, while visually, she remains at the forefront of fashion, oozing gorgeousness in every frame. According to her, “Good music is music that captivates me before I even finish listening to it. I can feel the artist’s life and essence in a song. Rather simple, I think I tend to follow my instincts and feelings.” Incidentally, “Dally” is her favorite that exposed Hyolyn to a new musical genre, fresh choreography, and visual storytelling. “Everything was new, and I was directly involved in its creative process. So, it feels even more special, and I think it truly represents who I am.”

Having been a musician for long, Hyolyn acknowledges often losing her “identity as an artist” in trying to get validation from others’ opinions, which in the end led to questions about the “identity of her music.” It made her wonder if she was satisfied with what she did. “So now, instead of letting myself waver, I try to place more value on creativity and initiative” while also working “to keep up with changes” given an ever-evolving music industry. I believe this approach influences her success: an openness, a solid work ethic, and an awareness of how the world of music functions.

Speaking with her, who travels often to meet the demands of her career, she prioritizes herself and her mental health by staying at home whenever possible. “My home is a safe, personal space where I can be myself. So, during my downtime, I spend a lot of time at home, binge-watching shows and such. I like traveling to warmer countries because I get cold easily and love the ocean.” Also, if you didn’t know, Hyolyn had a role in the K-drama Dream High 2 (2012). Did she put acting on the back burner thereafter? “I can’t say that I’m actively in pursuit of acting.” She clarifies, “I would try if there happens to be a role that coincides with my personality in real life.”

Just now though, Hyolyn has her sights on the K-Wave festival—to meet and perform for her Indian fans. She’s also prepping for her U.S. tour in November, as well as planning her next release, with the hope of sharing “even greater music.” Last but not least, perhaps most importantly, she says, “I want to introduce and showcase myself as an artist and convey how much I love music and performing on stage.” As someone proud of the profound impact of K-pop and Korean popular culture, “I hope people will stay tuned and look forward to seeing more K-pop artists.”