Chanelle and the interview with Ilgan Sports introduced her discovery of K-pop through her mother’s influence in California. She described how a trip during the pandemic unexpectedly led to her debut after five years of training. Her reflections covered cultural challenges, her pride in Korean heritage, and the changing K-pop landscape in America.
The interview of Chanelle: K-pop Journey That Began in California
FIFTY FIFTY member Chanelle Moon recently spoke with Korean newspaper Ilgan Sports about her journey into K-pop. Born in Los Angeles and raised in Hawthorne City, California, Chanelle grew up in a home filled with Korean culture. Her mother, who moved to the U.S. after marriage, frequently played K-pop songs, introducing Chanelle to the genre from birth. “I remember watching the music video for Wonder Girls’ ‘Nobody’ when I was around four. It felt so magical,” she recalled. She also enjoyed the music of Girls’ Generation and Red Velvet, developing a natural fondness for K-pop artists.
The interview of Chanelle: A Life-Changing Moment During the Pandemic
Although Chanelle dreamed of becoming a singer, the goal felt too far to reach, so she focused on her studies instead. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she visited Korea with her family and unexpectedly received a casting offer. Until then, she had been aiming for medical school and maintaining strong grades throughout her school years. But the long-held dream of music ultimately outweighed her academic plans and changed her life entirely. She made her debut as a member of FIFTY FIFTY on September 20, 2024, under ATTRAKT, through their second mini album Love Tune. Since then, she has gained attention both in Korea and abroad, especially for her unique take on “Pookie” boy group choreography.
The interview of Chanelle: Training Years and Personal Growth
Chanelle spent five years as a trainee, unsure when she would debut. The process was longer than she initially imagined. “It felt longer than I expected,” she said, “but I loved singing, dancing, and spending time with other trainees.” Instead of seeing it as hard, she described the training period as mostly enjoyable and fulfilling. Still, the language barrier and pandemic conditions made her experience more complex than most. She barely spoke Korean when she started, and during training, everyone wore masks, making it harder to understand people clearly. She once returned to the U.S. for a weeklong break, but travel restrictions extended her stay to a full month. “While I was home, I missed practicing so much. That’s when I realized—this is what I really want to do.”
The interview of Chanelle: Cultural Challenges in Learning Korean
Now, Chanelle feels mostly adjusted to life in Korea, but learning the language took time and patience. She struggled especially with honorifics and nuanced expressions. “I didn’t know which phrases to use in different situations,” she admitted. During the pandemic, formal Korean lessons were often interrupted, so she practiced mostly by speaking with her grandmother. “She’s from Jeolla Province, so sometimes I accidentally use dialect when talking to the members,” Chanelle said, laughing. Though her Korean wasn’t perfect at first, she never gave up. Bit by bit, she became more confident speaking and understanding others.
Adjusting to Life in Korea Through Family and Experience
Chanelle gradually learned not just the language but also how to navigate Korean social customs and unspoken rules. Thanks to her experiences and her family, she found ways to balance her American background with Korean culture. “I used to hesitate a lot, but now I feel comfortable here,” she said. “It really feels like another home.” She credited her adaptation to both personal effort and the kindness she received from those around her. Her mixed identity as both Korean and American became a strength, not a challenge, during her adjustment process.
How Korean Reactions Empowered Chanelle as a Foreign Member
Although Chanelle visually stands out as a foreigner, she never felt excluded while working in Korea. “People say things like, ‘You’re so good at Korean!’ and they treat me even more kindly,” she said. She especially appreciates the warmth and care embedded in Korean culture. “It moved me deeply. It felt really safe,” she added. Traveling to many countries as a K-pop singer, Chanelle remains proud of her Korean heritage. “To know that I have Korean blood makes me feel proud and connected,” she said with a smile.
The interview of Chanelle: K-pop Expansion in the U.S. Scene
Reflecting on her youth in the U.S., Chanelle remembered a time when no one around her liked K-pop. “Until middle school, none of my friends even knew about K-pop,” she said. But around 2019, BTS and BLACKPINK became more popular overseas, and things slowly started to change. During a recent visit to the U.S. after touring, she was surprised to see how much things had shifted. “All my friends like K-pop now. It’s amazing to see how far it has come in just a few years,” she said.
Why K-pop Content Stands Out from Western Pop Culture
Chanelle also spoke about what makes K-pop different from Western music. “K-pop covers so many genres and styles,” she noted. “Pop artists dance too, but K-pop takes performance to a new level.” She mentioned how Korea’s music shows allow artists to engage with fans and plan detailed performances with camera work in mind. “There’s also so much behind-the-scenes content. Fans get to know each member and really become part of the fandom,” she said. “In the U.S., we don’t have that kind of access to artists. K-pop felt so new and exciting to me.”
The interview of Chanelle: “Pookie” Buzz and Gender-Fluid Appeal
Chanelle’s boy group version of “Pookie” went viral on Korean social media, especially among users on theqoo community. Fans were amazed at how well she captured the mannerisms of male idols while keeping her charm intact. Another video of Chanelle dancing with boy group TWS also received widespread attention. Online users described her look as both elegant and cool, saying she gave off a “handsome yet feminine” vibe. These performances only added to her growing popularity, showing her range and charisma beyond typical gender lines.
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Go Fifty Fifty! The best girl group and best boy group out there!