The “Hidden Charms” CSR’s SIHYEON Wants to Show
In her first solo interview, SIHYEON reflects on CSR’s first comeback in two years and why she wants to share a new side of herself with fans this year.
When CSR’s vocalist HWANG SIHYEON needs to find peace, she heads to the Han River. The beautiful scenery and energy of Hangang Park, where the river runs through, inspires SIHYUN. “When I look at the calm flow of the river and the sunlight sparkling on the water,” she told me in a recent interview, “my heart feels quiet and recharged.”
SIHYUN grew up in Seoul, cherishing her visits to the Han River. “Having the Han River nearby, where I could gain energy and inspiration,” she recalled, “was one of the best parts of growing up in Seoul.”
Recently, during CSR’s first Korean comeback in two years, SIHYEON felt the same spark of inspiration. In March, the group released “Can’t Hide Anymore” for the [ASTROCHILD IN THE LONELY PLANET] OST. The song features CSR’s signature bright, high-energy production and a refreshing performance. To promote it, the group returned to music shows for two weeks, and performed for their fandom MAEUM (“heart” in Korean) for the first time since 2024.
“The first thing I felt was an overwhelming sense of emotion,” she said about seeing the fans again. “When we showed our first performance in front of MAEUM, I got a little teary. I thought, ‘Ah, I really have been longing for this moment so desperately. And the fans must have felt the same way.’”
CSR’s comeback is something neither SIHYEON nor the members take for granted. Still, SIHYUN says it’s impossible not to reflect on promotions and note areas for improvement. “The end of every promotion is always filled with regret,” she said. “I find myself thinking, ‘I should have paid more attention to this,’ or ‘I should have prepared that more thoroughly.’”
Despite regrets, SIHYEON said, “I was so happy and grateful to enjoy the stage with MAEUM after a long time, show different sides of myself, and meet everyone again. It was a truly happy time.”
SIHYEON joined CSR’s company as a teenager after her dance teacher recommended an audition. “I was feeling burned out,” she recalled. “So I poured everything into that audition, thinking, ‘Let’s consider this my last chance.’”
As a trainee, SIHYEON would often practice with YUNA, a member from Japan, early in the mornings. “I still felt like I had a lot to improve with my skills, so I asked Yuna, who was a great dancer, to practice with me and teach me until dawn,” she told me. “We would sweat so much together and then leave work in the early morning air.”
When CSR debuted, the group was unique because all of the members were born in the same year. SIHYEON saw this as a strength. “Maybe because I personally prefer listening to bright songs rather than darker ones, I really liked CSR’s concept, which is full of refreshing and youthful energy,” she said. “The fact that all the members are the same age also felt interesting because it brought back memories of school life. The originality of the concept made me look forward to CSR’s future.”
In my eyes, CSR’s first two releases, Sequence 7272 and Sequence: 17& are two of the best debut EPs from fourth-generation girl groups. Their debut single “Pop? Pop!” became a monster hit with the group racking up several music show wins and making year-end best-of music lists. CSR’s first year together was an exciting period for the members, and because of how well the music did, their fanbase MAEUM grew, too.
SIHYEON is especially grateful to MAEUM for standing by the group since “Pop? Pop!” in 2022. She remembers every interaction with fans, but one moment in particular stands out: a fan told her she gave them strength during a very difficult time in their life. “I was so moved and grateful to realize that even someone like me, who may seem infinitely small and insignificant in the universe, could be a spark that helps someone keep going,” she said. “I hold that fan’s words deep in my heart, and I want to continue sharing good energy with many people.”
These days, SIHYEON is building her own artistry and trying new ways to connect with MAEUM. When asked about her artistic inspirations, she named IU. “I receive so much inspiration from IU sunbaenim’s voice, performances,and lyrics,” she said, adding, “I want to be an artist who deeply conveys emotion and shares good energy with others.”
This year, SIHYUN launched a YouTube channel where she’s begun uploading vlogs and cover songs. The decision to open a personal channel, SIHYEON explained, was because she wanted to show more of herself. “I want to show every part of myself as I grow day by day. There are so many things I want to learn and so many areas where I need to grow, so I want to share that entire process with everyone,” she said. “I also still have many hidden charms that I haven’t been able to show yet, so little by little, I plan to share and document everything about myself.”
Beyond YouTube, SIHYEON has started writing lyrics. “I hope the feelings I press into each word can comfort and strengthen someone,” she said.
As she thought about fan support in this new era, SIHYEON became emotional. “Simply staying by my side is the greatest support. Even without doing anything special, the heart you show by being with me for a long time gives me strength,” she said about her fans. For that kindness, “I want to say I love you.”
