Interview: Hanbyeol, the Girl in the “Spotlight”
Finishing second on the 2020 teen reality survival show CAP-TEEN, Hanbyeol was a rank away from debuting. Despite the result, she was determined to debut. A year after the show’s finale, Hanbyeol released her debut single “Spotlight” in December 2021. She has since gained around 60,000 Spotify plays and is rising in attention from the music industry. Furthermore, her dedication to covering songs like BLACKPINK, Mariah Carey, and The Weeknd on her YouTube channel has been a source of her growing fanbase.
Most recently, Hanbyeol kicked off 2023 by releasing her fifth single “Love” in April — a song all about the emotions and feelings only love can give. HALSUG had the opportunity to talk with Hanbyeol about her time on CAP-TEEN, the inspiration behind “Love,” her YouTube covers, and her interests outside of music.
Photo Courtesy of Hanbyeol
Tell HALSUG readers about who you are as a person and an artist.
Hello HALSUG readers! I am singer-songwriter Hanbyeol. Although you all might not be as familiar with me yet, I hope you could get to know me more through the list of questions we have today!
You appeared on the reality survival show CAP-TEEN. What led to your decision to participate in this show? Do you feel that your participation in the show has impacted who you are as an artist now?
I happened to be competing in a singing contest a while ago. Although I didn’t get to win, the contest organizer suggested and asked if I’d thought about going onto CAP-TEEN, so I got to join the show.
I was very scared since this was the first survival program I had tried out, but I learned a lot from it. There was a lot of pressure, but I was able to gain the ability to overcome stages with a strong mind and stage manners, even if I made mistakes. I also learned a lot of wisdom that I could use on stage that I didn’t know about before.
On your YouTube channel, you have released a wide range of covers from the likes of “Loser” by Charlie Puth to “Cupid” by FIFTY FIFTY. What has been your favorite cover?
I really like the cover I did of The Weeknd’s “Out Of Time.” I think my satisfying vocal tone was shown in that cover.
You have collaborated with fellow singers Taeho, Yejin, and even your dad on cover songs. Can we expect any other collaborations as part of your upcoming releases?
Of course! I think everyone who listens to my songs is expecting to see a new side of me other than my vocal covers. I am always thinking about it so expect a new collab. ~
Your father used to be a musician. How has he influenced your music career?
My dad has a lot of knowledge of music, so I am glad I was able to learn a lot about music from an early age. I think I was able to learn about older music that I didn’t know, and that time’s vibe, compared to today's, was so unique and fun to me. So I think my dad helped me find my own musical color.
Photo Courtesy of Hanbyeol
You spent a lot of time in choir and band clubs growing up. Was there ever a temptation to be part of a choir or a band as opposed to being a solo artist?
I learned a lot while I was in the choir — the flow of emotions and being truthful to your heart as you sing, the energy, etc. It was very helpful to me. I didn’t really think more about being in a band, but I did think about wanting to be in a choir again.
What are your interests outside of music?
I really like watching dramas and movies. I feel like I am able to experience things I’ve never actually gone through, so it’s fun and interesting. Also, it’s really nice to cry or laugh as much as I want so that I can get rid of any bad emotions.
You produce all your music and production yourself. What’s your process when releasing music? Is there a set routine that you follow?
I find it easier to figure out the top line (vocal melody) first. But I’m usually the type to think of the drums, piano, bass, and vocals all at once in my head when I think of making a song. I take the ideas that come from my head, record everything as I hum on my phone, and edit it afterward. But even if all the ideas come at once, there are times when I might lose my train of thought. So I figure out the top line first and edit in the remaining instrumentals.
What was the inspiration behind your latest single “Love”?
My latest single “Love” was inspired by many things, but the first thing that comes to mind is the scene from Twilight when Bella and Edward are laying down in a beautiful forest. As I watched them fall in love, I wrote down the emotions I felt and turned them into lyrics. Eternal love is something that can seem so rare in reality, but those two made it seem like it is possible.
Photo Courtesy of Hanbyeol
You have released 5 singles so far. What’s next for you?
To be honest, it’s not that I don’t like my current songs; I am planning to show more of my style that I’ve dreamed of doing for my next song.
If you could have written one song for any artist throughout history, what song would it be?
Even though this is a huge wish that I can only imagine, I would love to write a song for Ariana Grande who is one of my favorite artists!
What is a hair color you want to try in the future?
I want to try ash brown and maybe even bleach my eyebrows! I want to show some kind of chic vibe.
Is there any music festival/concert you would like to attend as a fan?
I would really like to go to one of Ariana Grande’s concerts. I expressed this earlier in a previous question, but I’m seriously a big fan of hers…
Any messages for your fans?
I still have a lot to work on, but I am thankful for everyone’s support and anticipation. Thanks to everyone, I am able to make promises each day and gain strength. I love you.
Still yet to release a full album, the future is bright for Hanbyeol. Whether it’s releasing covers on YouTube or releasing studio singles, her unique style has started to capture the music community, making her an artist to keep an eye out for years to come.
What’s your favorite Hanbyeol song or cover? Let us know by leaving a comment below or by reaching out on Instagram or Twitter.
TO STAY UPDATED ON HANBYEOL:
SPOTIFY | INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | YOUTUBE | TWITTER
Artist Facts
Name/Stage Name: 김한별 / Hanbyeol (한별)
Birthday: 4/10/2003
Nationality: South Korea
Zodiac Sign: Aries
MBTI: ENTP
Fave Foods: 닭으로된 모든 음식… 닭을 정말 좋아해요.
Anything that has chicken… I really love chicken.
Fave Drinks: Caffe mocha
Fave Movies: 너무 많은데 지금 떠오르는 건 영화 “Life of Pi” 입니다 보면서 삶에 대해 느낀것들이 정말 많았어요.
There are so many, but the one that comes to mind right now is “Life of Pi”. I felt a lot of things about life as I watched it.
Day or Night: 저는 밤이요! 밤에 고요히 할일을 하는게 집중도 잘되고 좋은거 같아요
I like night! It’s also a good time to concentrate on things I need to do since it is quiet at night.
Song you’re most proud of: 이번에 나온 Love가 아닐까 싶어요 왜냐하면 전보다 더 퀄리티가 성장하기도 했고 이젠 전보다 제가 원하는 느낌들을 곡에 더 자연스럽게 표현할 수 있게 된 것 같아서요
I want to say I am most proud of my recent song “Love.” I think the quality has grown a lot from before, and I was able to naturally express the feelings that I wanted to put into the song.
This interview was conducted in Korean and translated into English.
Translation by Jihae Lee and Victoria Ng
Edited by Martina Yee