[Exclusive] Chungha Says I.O.I Reunion Changed the Way She Sees Her Future

Singer Chung-ha says reuniting with I.O.I reminded her that even after years as a solo artist, much of her strength still comes from the people who have been by her side since the beginning.

Fresh off the group's 10th anniversary promotions and Asia tour, Chung-ha is preparing for another solo chapter with a new album due in September. While fans celebrated I.O.I's long-awaited return, the singer said the experience inspired a new approach to her music and reminded her what matters most.

Speaking with K-POPIT during an interview on July 13 at MORE VISION's headquarters in Seoul, Chung-ha reflected on reconnecting with her I.O.I members, the story behind her upcoming title track "Mexico" and the experiences that have shaped both her career and her life.

Before the reunion began, Chung-ha admitted she wasn't thinking about chart performance or ticket sales. Instead, one question stayed on her mind.

"More than wanting success or good results, I kept wondering, 'Will people still remember us?'" she said.

Those concerns disappeared once the concerts began. Fans shared stories about how their lives had changed over the past decade. Some had gotten married, while one fan even told Chung-ha they finally decided to seek treatment after hearing about the reunion because they wanted to attend the concert healthy enough to cheer for the group.

"It made me realize we could still give people strength," she said. "Our fans have grown alongside us."

One memory from the tour has stayed with her ever since. "The cheers pierced through my in-ear monitors," she recalled. "My ears were ringing for a few days afterward."

The reunion also gave Chung-ha a deeper appreciation for the members. Rehearsals made her realize there were simply parts of them she hadn't fully understood 10 years ago.

Watching members like Kim So-hye and Kim Se-jeong, who had once struggled more with choreography, prepare for the reunion made Chung-ha realize how much quiet effort had gone unnoticed. It also made her appreciate the effort they had quietly poured into I.O.I's original promotions, much of which she hadn't fully noticed at the time.

"I thought I knew the members well, but there was still so much I didn't understand."

Asked what kind of presence she hopes to be for the members, Chung-ha said she wants to be someone they can always call.

"I just want them to think of me as someone they can easily reach out to," she said. "If they're lonely or want someone to have dinner with, I hope they'll just call me."

Her reflections suggested the reunion had become about more than revisiting old memories. Over the years, the members had grown into one another's support system, encouraging each other and giving one another the confidence to embrace new chapters.

"I hope we're like a hideout for one another," she added. "A place you naturally think of whenever you need somewhere to escape and seek comfort."

The reunion also reshaped how Chung-ha wants to approach future music. Although her September comeback had already been planned, she said the experience gave her the confidence to step outside the routines she had grown comfortable with.

"I've always liked staying in one place. I've always worked with people I know in environments I'm comfortable with. But I want to try working in a completely new environment, and I want to tell more of my own story through my music. The members gave me that courage," she said.

As Chung-ha looks ahead to her next chapter, she confirmed she has begun discussing her future with MORE VISION as her current contract nears its end.

"My contract is coming to an end, and we're talking about it," she said. "Jay Park actually told me to meet with other companies and figure out what's best for me. We're still discussing the best option."

That openness to new possibilities is also reflected in her upcoming title track "Mexico." Although the song was recorded several years ago, Chung-ha said she never stopped believing it would find the right moment. Growing up in Texas surrounded by Mexican friends and culture made the song feel especially personal.

"I loved the culture and the food," she said. "When I heard the demo while driving, I immediately thought, 'I have to do this.'"

Rather than rerecording the vocals years later, Chung-ha chose to preserve the original takes. "I think every song has its own timing," she said. "This one just found its moment now."

Chung-ha said accidentally getting a paper cut while handling one of her own albums made her pay closer attention to every detail. "If it's my album, I want to check every little detail," she said. "Even things like the font size or how the pages are arranged."

Even so, Chung-ha said recording still comes down to instinct. "I don't plan before I record," she said. "I just learn the melody, go into the booth and figure it out there."

Outside of music, Chung-ha has become more intentional about spending time with family. She recently fulfilled one of her mother's longtime wishes by taking her to watch football player Son Heung-min play in person. The experience reminded her not to put off meaningful moments with loved ones. Even joking about I.O.I's 20th anniversary made her think differently about time.

"I wasn't thinking about our 20th anniversary," she said. "I started thinking about how much older my mom would be by then."

"I'm not afraid of getting older," she continued. "I'm afraid of looking back 10 years from now and realizing there were so many things I missed."

The reunion reminded Chung-ha that while music and careers continue to evolve, the people who have stood beside her over the past decade remain the reason she continues to move forward.