Hwasa shared her thoughts and behind-the-scenes stories regarding a shout-out from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang.
On the August 9 episode of the SBS variety show 'My Little Old Boy', model Han Hye-jin was featured spending time with singer Hwasa.
During the broadcast, the two enjoyed shopping at Namdaemun Market before visiting Hwasa's favorite local restaurant. Hwasa raised expectations by introducing the place, saying, "This is the original restaurant for braised Deokja (large butterfish). After trying it here once and finding it so delicious, I looked everywhere for other places that make braised Deokja, but none do. There is no other cooking method quite like this."
Hwasa showcased a remarkable mukbang (eating broadcast) while enjoying the braised Deokja dish, which reportedly got its name because it brings an abundance of blessings. In response, Han Hye-jin brought laughter by saying, "It reminds me of when you ate gopchang (beef intestines)," and adding, "Aren't you the only person on Earth to receive an award for eating something?"
In the past, Hwasa's gopchang mukbang created a massive sensation, even leading to a nationwide shortage of the ingredient. Han Hye-jin drew attention by joking, "Back then, you ate gopchang and wiped out the supply nationwide, and now Deokja is going to be fished to extinction."
Hwasa, who shared that she has always been a good eater since childhood, said, "I wondered if I was blessed because I ate so well. When I went to the school cafeteria, if I greeted the cafeteria ladies loudly and cheerfully, they would give me an extra sausage. So I always greeted them brightly to get more food."
When Han Hye-jin asked why she went to such lengths, Hwasa confessed that growing up in a large family with many daughters created a fierce competition for food, leaving her with no other choice.
Hwasa continued, "I always shouted my greetings loudly at the cafeteria, and the kitchen ladies grew fond of me. That eventually led to a musical offer." She surprised everyone by explaining, "An acquaintance of the cafeteria lady was a musical planning director, and the lady recommended me, saying there was a girl with a clear, ringing voice at our school. I went straight to an audition and immediately landed the role of Patjjir. It was a major musical production, while the other friends who auditioned alongside me already had extensive careers."
Hearing this, Han Hye-jin remarked, "So you were drafted straight from the cafeteria," to which Hwasa replied with a laugh, "I just wanted to eat more food and greeted people for that reason, but things turned out this way."
Han Hye-jin then asked, "Does a turning point in your life arrive every time you eat something?" Hwasa replied seriously, "Seeing the gopchang phenomenon made me genuinely wonder if there was something special about me, and I thought about it quite seriously back then."
Han Hye-jin then brought up Jensen Huang, saying, "What is the story with Jensen Huang? I doubted my own eyes," referring to the Nvidia CEO's public shout-out to Hwasa. Hwasa responded, "Everyone thought it was AI at first. Actually, I received more text messages about that than when my song 'Good Good' hit number one. People were congratulating me, but at first, I didn't think much of it because I didn't know much about him. I was completely ignorant about economics."
Hwasa added, "At first, I thought he must have studied K-pop. It just felt too unbelievable to be true. Afterward, I wrote him a letter and gave it to him along with an album. But before he left, he mentioned me again. That is when I realized his gesture was genuinely sincere," recalling Huang's expressed fandom.
In response, Han Hye-jin joked, "Doesn't he have a favorite model? I've gained a bit of weight, but I'm still doing okay," prompting Hwasa to straighten a straight face and say, "Unni (older sister), you're embarrassing me."
Han Hye-jin continued her teasing by saying, "You should have asked for about 100 shares. They aren't that expensive. Ask for 500 shares this time," tempting her like a devil. Hwasa once again put on a straight face and said, "Unni, you're embarrassing me," drawing laughter from everyone.
(Photo: Yonhap News) (Reported by Kim Hyo-jung)
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