Urban Zakapa's Jo Hyun Ah Shares Behind-the-Scenes Story of Her Solo Track 'I'll Give'

Urban Zakapa's Jo Hyun Ah recently shared insights about her solo track 'I'll Give' during a candid conversation.

On October 20, the YouTube channel 'Jjanhyung' released a video titled 'Bright-eyed Chubby & Restaurant Auntie,' featuring Urban Zakapa members Jo Hyun Ah and Kwon Soon Il. During the video, Kwon Soon Il humorously shared an anecdote about their neighbor, rapper Simon D, mentioning how he sometimes pretends not to be home while working on music.

The conversation then shifted to the challenges faced by Urban Zakapa in maintaining their image. Jo Hyun Ah explained that they had to avoid exposing their personal lives and maintain a serious demeanor. She shared, "We were told not to create situations that could damage our image due to personal matters, so I always had to keep a serious expression," adding, "Even when we were laughing and having fun, I had to look wistful in photos." Jo Hyun Ah revealed that this was the norm for their 12-year career.

Jo Hyun Ah also discussed the motivation behind her solo track 'I'll Give.' She expressed, "I wanted to smile and do something I truly wanted in a situation where I couldn't express myself." Kwon Soon Il recalled the buzz around the performance video of 'I'll Give,' mentioning comments like, "It was said to be a punishment on an unreleased variety show. People couldn't believe Jo Hyun Ah would do such a thing." Jo Hyun Ah added, "I also saw comments comparing me to an auntie who gives more food to men."

Jo Hyun Ah disclosed the specific reasons for not performing well on stage at the time. She revealed that she weighed 48kg during her active years, stating, "Now I weigh 62kg." She explained, "I went on stage in a state of energy depletion. My voice didn't come out well," sharing an anecdote about her poor condition affecting her performance.

Jo Hyun Ah's response to criticism also drew attention. After the performance, she heard from Kwon Soon Il about the company's struggles and immediately suggested recording a YouTube video. Jo Hyun Ah stated, "I faced the comments head-on by reading them aloud. It actually helped promote the channel." When broadcaster Shin Dong Yup praised her as a 'mental strength champion,' Jo Hyun Ah responded positively, calling 'I'll Give' a hit among her solo tracks.

By Min-Kyung Lee, TenAsia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr