Debuting ‘Satellite’: TAEHA on Music, Love, and Finding Happiness

Hey dear Taeha, you are a former member of the K-pop girl group Berry Good. How difficult was it for you to transition to being a solo artist, and what was the biggest challenge you faced in doing so?

I’ve spent a lot of time as a trainee and girl group member for over 13 years. As I was focusing my life on competition to be successful, I gradually began to face reality. When I was young, I passionately pursued what I loved and hoped for, but as I grew up, I realized many things from a practical perspective. Eventually, I left Berry Good and moved on to find a new profession, leading a more ordinary life. Except for the occasional NoraeBang (Korean karaoke), I hadn’t really sung for about 2 to 3 years. Sometimes I would go to NoraeBang to relieve my longing for music. Even while singing there, I would sometimes find myself in deep sadness.

While I was still lingering regrets about music, an incredible opportunity unexpectedly appeared to me. I met composer Kim Tae-young. He expressed his appreciation and interest in the voice I had. Kim Tae-young is a composer who has extensive experience working with famous artists. It was incredible that such a composer was interested in my vocal color and suggested that I try singing again.

It’s been a long time since I’ve sung for a release, so it was a little strange to be in front of a microphone in a recording studio, and I think I had a hard time recapturing that feeling of being a professional singer when I recorded my first single. But now that I’ve released a few albums as a solo artist, I’m more motivated to grow and do well. Now, rather than finding everything difficult, I am incredibly happy to be able to make music.

How did you get into music in the first place? And which other musicians have truly inspired you?

I have been a child singer-songwriter since the third grade of elementary school. Back then, I was not afraid to go on any stage, whether it was a well-known local festival or an event where politicians gathered. According to my parents, before my first birthday, I would dance and move to the music.

Since the second year of junior school, I told my parents that I wanted to become a singer. Although they were strongly opposed to it, I kept appealing to them by studying music theory on my own and finally managed to persuade them.

I heard Seo Moontak’s (the Korean female rock vocalist) song “Love Never Fades” when I was a kid, and I’ve been singing along since elementary school. After feeling her cool shouting and heart-wrenching resonance, I thought, “I want to be a singer,” and “I want to express my music like that.”

You are releasing your new song called “Satellite.” The lyrics are about telling the person you love to always stay and shine on you like a satellite. Did you dedicate this song to someone specific?

“Satellite” could be an emotional tribute to lovers from my past and new ones that may one day come along. It’s also to the fans who are waiting for me, or anyone who watches, supports, and cares for me like a distant but close satellite floating in the sky. It’s a song that expresses my affection for them and how grateful I am for them.

The sound is a bit inspired by 80s and 90s music. What connection do you have to this era, or why do you like this type of sound?

In South Korea, there has been a retro boom in recent years. In various fields such as food, fashion, and music, items that were popular in the 80s and 90s have become popular again. I, being a trendy person, started listening to 80s city pop at the peak of the retro boom. Rather than the current music that emphasizes hooks and grooves, I found retro music more relaxing to listen to with its melodies and poetic lyrics.

At that time, the internet was not developed, so it was difficult to share songs that were popular in each country with each other, but now there is no such restriction at all, so I enjoy listening to 80s and 90s music from various countries. My playlist currently has songs by KIM wansun from South Korea, Mariya Takeuchi from Japan, and Duran Duran from the UK. I especially like ‘Plastic Love’, which I hope you’ll give a listen to.

I read that in the summer of 2024, you will be releasing a new project related to various new sounds with NewRetroWave. Can you tell us a little bit more about this project?

Retrowave is a genre of music that I love to explore. I was lucky enough to find a good fit with the direction that NewRetroWave was going in, so we started working together on an album and released the first single ‘Dive in Love’ last March.

Working with NRW was amazing, it didn’t feel like we were working together for the first time, the communication was quick and precise and we all worked to the best of our abilities. I think this teamwork was the driving force behind the successful release of ‘Satellite’. I’m looking forward to collaborating with NRW in the coming days, as I think it will help me grow as a musician.

I think the next album will be a four-song mini album with two singles and two new songs. And we are aiming for a release in July. The concept of retro will remain the same as the previous two singles. However, if we’ve been showing Eastern retro music, I think we’ll be showing retro music with a Western feel in the upcoming mini album.

I saw on your Instagram that you love Pilates. In what ways has yoga contributed to your personal well-being and growth?

I was once in a period of physical and mental exhaustion due to bad health. I realized that I needed to get my health back in order to be able to do the things I wanted to do. I had been dancing for many years and was very confident in my physical flexibility, so I started doing a workout called Pilates. I’m also interested in anatomy, so I think that’s what made me interested in Pilates, which uses every muscle in detail.

As I got better and better at Pilates, I realized that I could take care of my own health and have a positive impact on others by teaching Pilates. Opening ‘Buddleyoo Pilates Studio’ was the perfect way to maximize those benefits. I get a great sense of accomplishment from seeing our members get healthier and improve every day. I feel very healthy physically and mentally through Pilates. I hope you’ll give Pilates a try!

What besides music and yoga makes you really happy and is important to you in your life?

I’m actually quite happy with the little and tiny things. I sometimes find the most happiness in spending time with people who are important to me. Those people can be family or they can be friends. I don’t need any topic to be with them, I don’t need any event, I just need to be with people I love, in a space I love, spending time with people I love.

Where do you see yourself in about 10 years?

Last May 22nd was the 10th anniversary of BerryGood. It seems like an incredibly short time when I look back on the past decade. As you know, the next 10 years seem like a long way off, but the last 10 years have flown by. Maybe in 10 years, I’ll have a more flexible personality as a person and as a musician.

One of my bucket lists is to do a live performance in a small hall, inviting fans who remember me from their 40s or 50s. I’d love to make an event where we could remember, express, and share the years we’ve had together.

Thank you so much for your time!