DESIGNING WONDERLAND with K-Pop Star AleXa

Mixed Asian Media - August 22, 2022

By Melissa Slaughter & Lauren W.

If you’ve been following MAM’s coverage of K-pop artist AleXa, you already know that we’re obsessed with the multi-talented winner of American Song Contest. Shortly after winning ASC, AleXa became the second K-pop artist ever invited to perform and present at the Billboard Music Awards — a feat only preceded by K-pop giants BTS. AleXa then performed at NYC’s Summerstage in July, when our team got a chance to collaborate with her for a “Wonderland” themed photo shoot.

In a previous interview, we dove into AleXa’s background, from growing up in Oklahoma to becoming a K-pop artist on ZB Labels. This time we decided to investigate her life after ASC, what she thinks of her crossover success, how she approaches her artistry, “Wonderland,” and the AleXa-verse.

Last time we spoke, you were competing in the American Song Contest (ASC). Did you think you’d come out the winner?

I never imagined myself being the winner of such a grand show like ASC… Yet here we are, months after the victory, and I still can’t believe it! I attribute so much of the winning stage to the incredible teams I had supporting me and working beside me. The whole competition was state versus state (and territories), but the teams that we got to work with really helped make the competition what it was!

How was the fan reaction to your performance? Was it what you expected?

I was floored at how well people received “Wonderland” and did covers, the TikTok challenge, fan art, and more. Every day I got on social media, there was something new and exciting from fans, in regards to ASC and “Wonderland.” Truly something magical.

“Wonderland” linguistically has an inverted approach to most K-pop songs. You sing mainly in English and include bits in Korean — seemingly quite an intentional move when debuting a stage to a Western audience. Can you tell us about this and how it came about?

The song itself was a large collaborative effort between five song writers: Albin Nordqvist, Andreas Carlsson, Moa "Cazzi Opeia" Carlebecker, Ellen Berg, and Bekuh Boom. I, myself, had the opportunity to add some Korean lyrics into the song to keep the K-pop-flair and pay homage to the K-pop community and my roots.

How do you think being mixed has influenced your artistry?

Being half Korean has definitely influenced my artistry by the fact that I, first of all, came to Korea to pursue my dream. Not only that, I constantly want to learn more about this country, its culture, and its people. I want to get in touch with the roots that I wasn't able to experience growing up.

It’s remarkable that in an industry with Tiffany, Amber Liu, Eric Nam, and more, you are of two cultures in a way that differs from other AsAm K-pop artists. You had to forge this connection to your culture on your own, and you’re able to fluidly connect with both markets, creating music intentionally modeled for both. For you, as a mixed Asian K-pop artist, how is it to crossover into America?

To me, it’s opening another door that I hope future generations can also pass through. I’m not the first Asian artist, nor the first K-pop artist, to cross over into America, but as a mixed Asian artist, I do hope to provide a sense of representation for the other mixed kids with musical aspirations.

You’ve released several albums and EPs in the past few years. Talk us through the process of putting those together. What are you looking for in the songs? How are you thinking about the concepts?  

Whenever it’s time for a comeback to roll around, the team and I sit down and decide whether or not it’s going to be a single or an album. We are offered a variety of songs from amazing songwriters; the team and I sit down together and give them all a listen. We decide on which song has potential as a title track, and which song has more potential as a B-side track. When we choose a song for a comeback, we already have the concept in mind — meaning visuals, sound, colors, and storyline. Personally, when choosing songs, if a song makes me move right away, I know that’s the one. Conceptually, I’m game to try just about anything. We had an ongoing storyline for three songs. We’ve opened multiple doors to different timelines in the AleXa multiverse, and I’m just ready to keep experimenting and see what else we can do.

In my research, it seems like K-pop artists have little control over their image, music, or presentation… but you are the only artist on the ZB Label, and one of the few artists that didn’t debut in a group before going solo. What part of your presentation, either a song, dance, or music video, represents you?

I feel like my songs are the best presentation of myself… having an A.I. concept along with a multiverse, I can show a variety of sides of myself as an artist. Out of my songs, though, I feel like the song that best represents me would be my song “Kitty Run!” It’s fierce, fiery, and fun.

You’re here in NYC for Summer Stages. What do you have coming next?

We have a handful of events strewn all over the U.S. that I’m super pumped about! Fansigns, Q&A’s, performances, and an anime convention! When that’s all said and done, I’m heading back to Korea to work on a little something-something, if you know what I mean. Hopefully you will see a comeback soon!