Ok-pop’s international reputation has lengthy touched Latin America, and curiosity solely appears to be accelerating. Ok-pop company JYP leisure, for instance, included Spanish alongside English, Japanese and Korean to advertise its latest woman group, NMIXX; Ok-pop excursions are more and more that includes Latin American locations; and Ok-pop hits are incorporating Latin stylings, from the reggaeton beats of LE SSERAFIM’s “Antifragile,” to TWICE’s bossa nova summer time anthem “Alcohol Free.”
However South Korea’s woman group BLACKSWAN is taking Latin a step additional by that includes a Latin member.
Initially fashioned underneath the title Rania in 2011, label DR Music rebranded the woman group as BLACKSWAN in 2020, that includes a mix of Korean and non-Korean members. Immediately, the quartet options completely non-Korean members together with Gabi (actual title Gabriela Strassburger Dalcin), a Brazilian-born singer and dancer. Gabi, who joined BLACKSWAN in Might 2022, moved to South Korea within the fall of 2021 hoping for a profession in Ok-pop.
Billboard caught up with Gabi to hint her journey from Florianopolis in Brazil to the levels of Seoul to speak about BLACKSWAN’s new single, “Karma.” The tune was launched in Might, and it’s video — shot in India — is a lavish, colourful visible, simply one other signal of Ok-pop going international.
Learn on for our interview with the Ok-pop artist.
Brazil is a cultural melting pot. Was Ok-pop one thing that you just found again residence?
Sure. The primary Ok-pop reminiscence that I bear in mind being “Ok-pop” was when my buddy confirmed me a video of BTS in 2016. There have been [already] numerous Brazilian followers of Ok-pop. However in a while, I additionally found that Ok-pop was a method too. It featured phenomenal songs unfold everywhere in the world.
Stroll me via the day that you just determined, I, Gabi from Florianopolis, Brazil, am going to coach to develop into a Ok-pop idol.
Since I used to be younger, I all the time needed to work with artwork sooner or later. So I all the time practiced vocals, and I did musical theater as nicely. In musical theater, we have to act, sing and dance on the identical time. Due to that, after I noticed Ok-pop, I used to be actually impressed. Oh, so there’s a type the place the individuals sing and dance on the identical time after which they’ll carry out and produce their very own songs. I need to sing and dance, and do like they do as a result of they’re such an inspiration.
What has the fan response been from individuals again in Brazil?
Not simply the Brazilian followers. I suppose each nation on the earth as of late — they’re giving me a lot love and assist. It makes me need to proceed producing music and producing new content material for them. And what I really like, hopefully followers are loving too.
Have you ever encountered any difficulties as a non-Korean?
The major [difficulty] level was [speaking] Korean. I must be taught their language, and I must work two occasions more durable to be taught a brand new language and be capable of respect their [culture] and work right here [in Korea] with them.
How do you’re feeling about Ok-pop and Latin American music mixing collectively?
I actually find it irresistible as a result of music is international. Everybody can do music, everybody can take heed to music unbiased of the type of the sort of a tune. So I actually love the truth that Ok-pop is introducing Latin kinds of their songs as a result of it reveals that they like [Latin music]. I hope BLACKSWAN sooner or later does some [Latin-style] songs too.
Inform us about your new single “Karma,” which you launched in Might.
I just like the that means of [the word] “karma” as a result of it may be an excellent or dangerous factor — it simply will depend on what you do. I see “Karma” as an excellent new face for BLACKSWAN. We’re doing this comeback with a lot enthusiasm, ardour — and our concord as a gaggle is so actual. I really feel that good karma goes to come back round. Since we’re doing this with love, we’ll hopefully obtain love too.
