Collaboration with BTS inspired Halsey to seek perfection
Halsey Courtesy of Live Nation Korea
By Park Ji-won
Halsey, the U.S. pop star who is popular among Korean fans for her collaboration with K-pop sensation BTS on the song “Boy With Luv” last year, said that the collaboration with BTS inspired her to seek perfection in her artwork.
“I flew to Korea to film the music video for Boy With Luv and got to spend some time there which was amazing, and see how they work and how they make music videos, how dedicated they are to dancing and making sure everything is perfect. It definitely inspired me to maintain that kind of dedication with my art as well,” Halsey said in an email interview before her upcoming concert in Seoul in May, her second concert here.
The singer, well known for her smash-hit “Without Me” (2018), released her third studio album “Manic” in January, which includes the ballad “SUGA's Interlude.”
Halsey Courtesy of Live Nation Korea
Stressing that the collaboration with BTS was one of the best experiences of her life, she said collaboration with other artists makes her experience a new version of herself.
“I'm featured with Future on Post Malone's album. I never thought me, Future and Post Malone would have a song together. It lets me pick a new personality, and I become a different kind of Halsey. And working with BTS was one of the best experiences of my life. They are so kind and so smart and so talented. I made so many new friends.”
Regarding the collaboration with BTS's SUGA, she explained that the work with him was more a perfect decision for her to complete her album as his work and personality resonated with herself as a struggling musician.
“I got to know all of them individually, their own personalities and interests. That's how I ended up having SUGA on the album. Because his solo music really spoke to me. (On) Agust D, The music was a lot about really personal times and the dark side, the confusing life of being the musician you are and to go on as a person accepting that. And when I heard that, in my heart I knew I wanted to have SUGA on my album….I always knew it had to be SUGA because he was so perfect for it. So I was so happy to have him.”
She has written messages to Korean fan base prior to her concert, especially female fans in their teens and 20s, saying that it is okay to make mistakes and believe to in yourself.
“Mostly, just that growing up is hard, especially when you're a young woman. Be brave and be kind to yourself. Don't be too hard on yourself. There's a lot of pressure to be perfect, and that pressure is not real. You are allowed to make mistakes and even when you feel like the entire world is completely crashing down, you'll always find your way through, and in my experience, I am becoming a better, smarter, kinder adult because of the chances that I took in betting on myself and believing in myself as a young woman.”
Halsey's concert, part of her “Manic World Tour,” will take place May 9 at the Olympic Park in Jamsil. Tickets are now available online at Yes 24 priced at 99,000 won and 110,000 won.