Ahn Hye-jin (안혜진), better known by her stage name Hwasa (화사), is a South Korean singer, rapper, songwriter, composer and television personality signed under P NATION. She debuted as lead rapper, lead vocalist, and maknae of the girl group MAMAMOO on June 19, 2014.
Hwasa made her solo debut with the digital single Twit on February 13, 2019.
Early Life
Hwasa was born on July 23, 1995, in Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea, where she lived with her parents and two older sisters. She graduated from Wonkwang Information Arts High School.
While she was a freshman in high school, she moved to Seoul and became a trainee under RBW. Even before she debuted, a number of South Korean artists – including Solbi and the band Standing Egg – recognized her talent and featured her on their tracks when she was 16.
Career
Hwasa debuted as a member of the girl group MAMAMOO on June 19, 2014, being one of the leading voices with the release of the lead single "Mr. Ambiguous" from their first extended play (EP) Hello. She wrote and composed her first solo song, "My Heart/I Do Me," from Hello.
In April 2018 she joined the cast of KBS reality television show Hyena on the Keyboard; the appearance spawned a collaboration with rapper Loco titled "Don't". Hwasa took part in writing and composing the song and it successfully topped the South Korean's Gaon Digital Chart. The song was later certified Platinum.
2019-present: Solo Debut
In February 2019, Hwasa made her debut as a solo artist with the digital single, "Twit" which she participated in writing and composing it. The song successfully topped the Gaon Digital Chart and scored a "Triple Crown", topping the Gaon Digital, Gaon Download and Gaon Streaming charts in Korea. "Twit" also peaked at #3 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart on the week of March 2, 2019. Hwasa also composed and wrote the song "In The Fall" and was released in October 2019.
In March 2020, Hwasa collaborated with English singer Dua Lipa for a new remix version of "Physical" which includes Korean lyrics. In April, it was reported that Hwasa has joined the original soundtrack lineup of the Korean drama The King: Eternal Monarch and would be releasing her first solo OST titled "Orbit". The song debuted at #16 on Billboard World Digital Song Sales Chart on the week of May 2, 2020.
On June 29, Hwasa released her EP Maria. The lead single of the same name was composed by Hwasa and producer Park Woo-sang and seek to show her growth as a singer-songwriter. Hwasa also wrote the lyrics for "LMM" and composed "Why." "Maria" debuted at number six on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart, while the EP debuted at number seven on the Billboard World Albums and 81 on Billboard Top Current Albums Sales charts for the week of July 11, 2020. On the week of September 26, 2020, "Maria" peaked at number 2 on Billboard KPOP Hot 100 and on the week of October 3, 2020, "Maria" peaked at number 79 on Billboard Japan Hot 100.
On JTBC's entertainment show "Hidden Singer Season 6", Hwasa was one of the contestants for an episode which aired on September 11, 2020. In the final round, Hwasa won by an overwhelming 79 votes which ended the four consecutive losing streaks from previous contestants and recorded her second win as an original singer of the season.
In August, 2020, Yoo Jae Suk becomes the producer of the special 4-member girl group Refund Sisters (환불 원정대), who have make their debut on October 10 for an entertainment show "Hangout with Yoo". This is a spin-off from Lee Hyo-ri, Uhm Jung-hwa, Jessi, and Hwasa as the members she wants in her dream girl group during the SSAK3 segment.