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kkumabase · 5 years

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[ 250819 ] BIG VAMPIRE ENERGY: SOLOIST KKUMA IS THE QUEEN OF ALL TRADES (DAZED KOREA SEPTEMBER 2019)

BY MELODY SON

It’s a little early in the year for a Halloween photoshoot, isn’t it?

KKUMA: Maybe, but vampires exist year-round, don’t they? (Laughs) I don’t think the seasons matter so much when you’ve been around a thousand years.

How was it today? And have you been well?

KKUMA: It was great! The last time I did a photoshoot seems so long ago, now. I really love getting to show different sides of myself, and getting to wear so many cool outfits. But yes, I’ve been well. Very busy taking care of my younger brother for the summer, as well as working on new projects, like always.

How old is your younger brother? Is he in school?

KKUMA: He is 17 (Editor’s Note: 16 international age). Yes, he is currently in high school. He studies at a boarding school, but comes to live with me during summer vacation.

Have you made any great memories this summer?

KKUMA: With him? (Laughs) Sure, we always have a lot of fun together. I love spending time with my friends and family, even if I’m very busy with work, these days. I always make time for them. This summer has been a very special one for me, for a lot of reasons.

What kind of reasons?

KKUMA: The typical thing. Good food, good weather, love, and happiness.

You’ve always been more of a ‘behind the scenes’ artist, as you’ve produced or co-produced a considerable amount of the hit songs that have come out in the last three years. It seems you’ve chosen 2019 as your year to come out into the spotlight and let the world really know who ‘Kkuma’ is. Why now?

KKUMA: One day, I want to say it was toward the end of 2017, I was working on an album for another artist and talking with my good friend, Maestar. We were talking about some of the more recognizable qualities of my writing and producing work -- essentially ‘how to spot a Kkuma song’, and he asked me what I wanted my own identity as an artist to be. I couldn’t really come up with an answer, then, because I had completely immersed myself in working on projects for other people. I was almost afraid of the spotlight, in a way, which may seem unbelievable, now, but since my debut as an ‘underground’ artist, I’ve been through a lot as I’ve gradually become more ‘mainstream.’ It’s been a hard, but rewarding journey. Since that conversation, I’ve taken a lot of time to really think about the Kkuma I want the world to know, and how I want to be remembered. And now more than ever, I’m putting out music I can be proud of, that I believe people will not only recognize me by, but respect me for.

You mentioned that exchange with Maestar happened in 2017. That’s also the year you came out as a lesbian, right? Is there any correlation there?

KKUMA: A little, yes. Early that year, I finally addressed all the speculation about me, and I got a lot of backlash. That made it really hard for me to want to be in the spotlight. I like to think of myself as a strong person, but I’m human at the end of the day, and abusive words can really dig deep and get to me, just like they can anyone else. So I focused more on working for other artists because I felt like no one wanted to see me. It was a safety blanket; a way I could still do what I love, but be safe at the same time.

You’re a lot more open and proud about your sexuality these days, which is good to see. Is it liberating for you to be able to sing openly about women? Do you ever feel yourself going back into a more reclusive mode when you see reactions to your music, and your message?

KKUMA: It’s definitely liberating. I think that’s part of why I can be so much prouder of my music, now -- I don’t have to hide anything, and that feels good. There will always be people that don’t like it, but my fans can see the real me and people like me can know that they aren’t alone, and that they’re being represented. I think that’s so special. Sometimes, I do get the urge to go into hiding again -- after ‘Noir’ was released, some people spun a harmful narrative about it that really hurt me. I would never disrespect the bisexual community, because they are my family -- and I understand now that some people will do absolutely anything they can to try to tear me down, and I just have to be used to it, but I didn’t want a single person to think that was true. That was a sad time for me, though I didn’t talk about it much. I even considered cancelling the singles that followed that song, but I had worked so hard on everything and was so excited to tell my story, and I didn’t want to let anyone down. I want to be a strong role model for LGBTQ+ individuals who are looking for someone like them in the media, and that’s what motivates me most. I don’t want to leave them behind, you know?

Speaking of your singles, they seem to be doing exceptionally well individually, and you’ve essentially hijacked the charts. Are they leading up to a potential album or a tour, maybe?

KKUMA: (laughing) Well, thank you, but hijacking the charts isn’t necessarily my intention. I’m so grateful to my fans who are so endlessly supportive of me, and I’m glad they’re enjoying my new music. As for what the future holds, I am working on an album. There’s no certain release date yet, but I definitely want to get it out before the year ends. That’s all I want to say about that.

You’ve shown a lot of different sides of yourself through your 2019 releases, including the fact that you’ve seemingly mastered singing, dancing, and now rapping. Where do you draw inspiration from, and how do you plan on keeping your brand recognizable while branching out at the same time?

KKUMA: Maybe I’m humbling myself too much, but I don’t like to think of myself as a ‘master’ of anything. I like to remind myself that there’s always room to grow and improve to give myself an endless goal to work toward. Getting too comfortable and becoming stagnant is one of my biggest fears. I think I do so many things because I like to challenge myself, and to keep my fans on their toes. Being too predictable is another fear of mine, I guess (laughs). But I think maintaining a ‘growth’ mindset ties into how I can branch out, but stay myself, too -- I’m quick, but I’m not rushing. I’m taking my time, but I’m not going too slow. Everything, to me, is about finding the right balance and being able to identify with my own work. Whenever I write or produce or compose anything, whether it’s for myself or for another artist, Haelin oppa’s (Editor’s Note: Maestar’s real name) question echoes in my mind. What is my identity as an artist? What makes a song by Kkuma? I’m proud that there are multiple ways to answer that, because to me, that means I’m growing.

I’m inspired by a lot of things. Romance is a big part of my life, to be honest -- since I was little, I’ve always loved romantic stories, even if I always wished there were more I could relate to, being a lesbian. But, self-love is also really important to me, too, and I explore that a lot in my music. It’s okay to brag sometimes, as long as you never forget where you came from, and are thankful for your many blessings. And of course, I’m endlessly inspired by other artists. Working with 5OGUE on their ‘Chiquita’ album was honestly one of the most incredible experiences I’ve had working with any artists. They’re so passionate about their message and about their fans, it was so refreshing to be around that kind of energy. it invigourated me to start making more music for myself as soon as possible, honestly.

You were a large part of 5OGUE’s ‘Chiquita’ project, even featuring on the album’s cover artwork. It seems like that was a passion project for you as much as it was for them, is that true?

KKUMA: Absolutely. That album had been in production since last year. Penny and Jiseok came to me personally to ask if I would be willing to work with them because of my own involvement in the LGBTQ+ community, who they largely serve, and I was honoured. It was a no-brainer for me. So many of the songs on that album became a big part of me, and I am so, so proud of them and so thankful I got to be part of something so beautiful, by artists I’ve long admired.

You admire them, but they are your juniours, right? Are there any other newer artists who stand out to you?

KKUMA: It seems like these days, an incredible talent is always just around the corner. I worked a little with DK♡SN on their debut, and they’re really bringing a fresh and youthful energy to the table, and they aren’t afraid to be soft and cute in the ‘girl crush’ era.

You embody more of a ‘girl crush’ aesthetic yourself, though, don’t you?

KKUMA: I think I take ‘girl crush’ a bit too literally (laughs). But, I don’t really limit myself to one particular aesthetic or concept. I’m all over the place. I’m really inspired by retro aesthetics and fashion, though, mostly because it’s so diverse, but still recognizable. I want to be like that.

#interview #m: dazed korea #250819

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kkumabase · 5 years

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[ RELEASE ] KKUMA - FREE SOMEBODY (DIGITAL SINGLE)

After a brief period of relative silence to focus on her many other projects, Kkuma returns to the music scene with a brand new, unannounced single “Free Somebody,” a funky retro pop anthem about being free and open and finding one’s true self. Fans were delighted to wake up to the surprise, as Kkuma’s powerful and soulful voice encourages them to let go of all of their emotional baggage for just one night of carefree dancing, which is often symbolic of sexual liberation in the LGBTQ+ community, with which Kkuma openly identifies. As this is her fifth single of 2019, fans are still questioning whether or not an album will come of all of these seemingly interconnected releases, though there is still no official comment from Kkuma on the matter. Until then, Kkubs can enjoy this upbeat and spirited track, and find their true selves as they dance the night away.

STATISTICS

TITLE: FREE SOMEBODY

ARTIST: KKUMA (꿈아)

DATE OF RELEASE: 22 August 2019

TYPE OF RELEASE: Digital Single

NUMBER OF TRACKS: 1

GENRE(S): Retro Pop

AGE WARNING: N/A

PRODUCER(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

COMPOSER(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

WRITER(S)/LYRICIST(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

LANGUAGE(S): Korean

RECORDED: 2019

LENGTH: 3:20

TRACKLIST

01. FREE SOMEBODY | LYRICS

LISTEN: 3:20

WATCH: 3:35

PRODUCER: 꿈아

LYRICS: 꿈아

COMPOSER: 꿈아

#release #single #s: free somebody #220819

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kkumabase · 5 years

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[ RELEASE ] KKUMA - 90s BXTCH (DIGITAL SINGLE)

Kkuma continues her streak of singles with her fourth release of 2019, “90s BXTCH” which blends classic R&B and contemporary hip-hop in a style all her own. The track describes retro aesthetics specific to the era in question, insinuating that Kkuma would rather exemplify those trends than the ones defining present day, which is consistent with the singer’s personal aesthetics throughout her career. “90s BXTCH” is, at its heart, a simple song about enjoying the simpler, but still finer things in life, and going against the crowd when it’s necessary to who you are. Many fans speculate that the singer will be releasing an album soon, as she has hinted at it many times throughout the releases of her past singles of the year, and with “90s BXTCH” being so indulgent of who Kkuma is as an artist, fans speculate that with its release, the album will be coming soon.

The music video for “90s BXTCH” will be released tomorrow, Monday, May 27.

STATISTICS

TITLE: 90s BXTCH

ARTIST: KKUMA (꿈아)

DATE OF RELEASE: 26 May 2019

TYPE OF RELEASE: Digital Single

NUMBER OF TRACKS: 1

GENRE(S): R&B

AGE WARNING: 17+

PRODUCER(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

COMPOSER(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

WRITER(S)/LYRICIST(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

LANGUAGE(S): English

RECORDED: 2019

LENGTH: 3:41

TRACKLIST

01. 90s BXTCH | LYRICS

LISTEN: 3:41

PRODUCER: 꿈아

LYRICS: 꿈아

COMPOSER: 꿈아

#release #single #s: 90s bxtch

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kkumabase · 5 years

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[ 150419 ] KKUMA APPEARS AT A MOONSTONE FOUNDATION LGBTQ+ HISTORY EVENT IN GOYANG

POSTED: 6 HOURS AGO 👁 VIEWS: 2.3M 💬 COMMENTS: 780.1K 🔁 SHARES: 698.5K

On the afternoon of 15 April 2019, soloist and activist KKUMA made a key appearance at an LGBTQ+ History event sponsored and coordinated by the Moonstone Foundation, South Korea’s largest LGBTQ+ non-profit organization created by Hunter Yeo in 2017. KKUMA openly and frequently supports this project, so her appearance is no surprise in retrospect, though fans were still shocked and delighted to see her join the panel of hosts to discuss many prominent figures who either are or were part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum in their lifetime, and their achievements and contributions to society.

The educational event was targeted toward a younger demographic, as many from ages 12 to 26 crowded the KINTEX Exhibition Hall 2, where it was held. As a panel-member, KKUMA shared pieces she had prepared on Bayard Rustin, Frida Kahlo, and Marsha P. Johnson (T/N: The panelists presented in chronological order and KKUMA was toward the end). She also spoke about how important she finds LGBTQ+ history to be, and that more should be done to highlight it so young LGBTQ+ individuals identify more with historical figures and see themselves as part of the world. She noted this should be a worldwide effort, but specifically in Asia, as LGBTQ+ history is rarely ever talked about without a ‘taboo’ label tainting it.

Once the main event had come to an end, KKUMA stayed for over an hour greeting and talking among her fans, and others who were interested in her at the event. She also donated an unknown amount to the Moonstone Foundation at the end of the event; and though the exact number is undisclosed, many who were present claim she gave over 2.9 billion won to the cause (T/N: roughly 2.6 million USD).

COMMENTS

[ +13K, -0996 ] what a kindhearted soul. i can’t imagine how anyone could hate her when she gives so much time and energy to charity like this. truly a beautiful person.

[ +7.8k, -0377 ] she prepared the presentation by herself? and did her own research? or did they do it for her? either way, that’s really nice!!

[ +2.4k, -2.8k ] is this just damage control for that biphobic garbage she just put out lol

[ +1.9k, -0291 ] i had never heard of a lot of the people she talked about!! also glad they were all POC

[ +0997, -0293 ] she is SO sweet!! i wish i could have been there!!

#event #150419 #recap

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kkumabase · 5 years

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[ RELEASE ] KKUMA - NOIR (누아르) (DIGITAL SINGLE)

Coming in with her third single of the year, Kkuma releases “Noir (누아르),” a complex R&B track with retro influences concerning an annoyingly simplistic relationship. Kkuma has spoken before about an ex-best friend who toyed with her emotions, so many fans speculate this introspective and somewhat bitter song may be about this experience, and may be a message of caution about girls who only wish to ‘experiment’ without warning first. Fans wonder if Kkuma will continue with this developing pattern of a new single every few weeks, and what exactly they will lead up to if she does -- an album announcement is anticipated, but not confirmed. Nevertheless, “Noir (누아르)” appears to be a deeply personal song, which Kkuma is no stranger to, as she allows her fans and listeners to enter her world and see life through her eyes. The music video for “Noir (누아르)” will be released Monday, April 8.

STATISTICS

TITLE: NOIR (누아르)

ARTIST: KKUMA (꿈아)

DATE OF RELEASE: 07 April 2019

TYPE OF RELEASE: Digital Single

NUMBER OF TRACKS: 1

GENRE(S): R&B

AGE WARNING: 17+

PRODUCER(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

COMPOSER(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

WRITER(S)/LYRICIST(S): KKUMA (꿈아)

LANGUAGE(S): Korean, English

RECORDED: 2019

LENGTH: 3:30

TRACKLIST

01. NOIR (누아르) | LYRICS

LISTEN: 3:30

PRODUCER: 꿈아

LYRICS: 꿈아

COMPOSER: 꿈아

#release #single #s: noir (누아르)

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kkumabase · 5 years

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[ 190319 / VLIVE ] KKUMA HOSTS A VLIVE WHERE SHE SINGS, TEASES FUTURE PLANS, ANSWERS FAN QUESTIONS & GIVES FANS ADVICE

Below are some brief highlights of the hour-and-45-minute-long broadcast. You can rewatch the entirety of her stream on her VLIVE Channel.

FAN: You probably get asked this every day, but will you be releasing a new album soon?

🐻: I do get asked this quite a lot, but that’s fine with me! I’m more than happy you all are so eager for my music. It doesn’t bother me at all. I will be releasing an album sometime this year, but I can’t give too many details about it. I don’t want to spoil it, and I’m still working with my company to figure out when will be the best time to release it, and to organize all the aspects that will come with and after it. I promise the wait won’t be too long. Please anticipate me warmly.

FAN: Unnie, how do you maintain such a perfect and healthy body?

🐻: First of all, thank you for the compliment! I don’t know if I would consider my body “perfect” [ laughs ] but I do work hard to maintain a good shape, and nice posture as well. Of course the answer is diet and exercise, but the part people tend to leave out is how important mental health is in relation to physical health. If you change your mentality and you want to be healthy for yourself, it becomes a lot easier to put in the hard work to fit regular exercise into your schedule, and to eat better. I focus more on eating well and healthily rather than restricting what I eat to lose weight quickly. I’m more interested in maintaining a healthy weight and a strong body than being incredibly thin. Of course, everyone cheats now and then, and that’s totally fine! Just be sure that you have the motivation and discipline to know when it’s okay to have something that might not be the healthiest thing to eat. Also, if you’re really unsure of where to start, consulting a dietitian is a great idea.

FAN: If you ever go on tour, can you promise to come to Thailand?

🐻: I can promise that, if I ever go on tour, I will work as hard as possible to make sure Thailand is a stop. Just for you.

FAN: Hi, Unnie. I like girls just like you, but I’m not sure how to tell my parents or my friends yet. I’m still in secondary school. Can you help me?

🐻: Hello, sweetheart. Everyone’s situation is different, so I’m not entirely sure if all the advice I can offer will be helpful to you in your situation, but you should definitely wait until you are completely comfortable with the fact that you like girls before you start to tell anyone. Believe it or not, your orientation isn’t anyone’s business and you’re not obligated to tell anyone about it, besides those you want to pursue as romantic partners, really. But romance should also wait until you’re comfortable with who you are as well. Nevertheless, though it’s not [ air quotes ] ‘required’ to tell anyone, it is definitely something you should do when it comes to those who are important in your life. We live in a semi-conservative society, especially when the older generation is considered, so you should start with your friends, and see how they respond. Then eventually tell your parents and anyone else in your family. Make sure you have a support system behind you if things go wrong. But don’t go in assuming they will -- you should always enter a serious space with positive energy. Also, remember that those who truly love and care for you will accept you no matter who you like or feel attracted to. You don’t need anyone who puts you out. It can hurt, but you’re strong and you should love yourself enough to hold your head high and fall back on those who support you, always. I support you. I hope you know that, and I hope this was helpful. Good luck! [ shows many finger hearts to the camera ]

FAN: Hello from Japan! My question is if we can see more choreography videos or dance covers soon? Also, will you ever release music in Japanese, and promote in Japan? ᵔᴥᵔ

🐻: That little bear emoticon is so cute! I’m definitely going to steal that later. [ laughs ] But hello, angel! I definitely want to share more dance-oriented work soon. The last project I worked on was a choreography with my sister, to 5OGUE’95′s “Really,” in case you haven’t seen that yet. It’s on Enigma’s YouTube Channel! A lot of good music has come out lately, so I’m definitely inspired. I’ve just got to find the time to create stuff like that. It’s definitely a priority among others. As for a Kkuma Japanese Debut, it’s definitely on my radar -- considering that my stage name has meaning in both Korean and Japanese, and I adore the language and the culture. When the opportunity comes, you can bet I’ll hop on the first plane to Japan!

FAN: Are there any other idols or musicians that you really want to collab with?

🐻: I’d love to do anything with any of the members of 5OGUE. We’ve worked together already production-wise, and I know most of the members very well, but I have yet to do a song with any of them. It’s definitely something I want, hopefully before this year ends. I finally got to collab with Minnie, though honestly, I couldn’t ever get enough of that. Our styles come together so well, and I just adore her in every possible way. [ pauses ] There are so many artists I’d like to work with, now that I think about it. I couldn’t possibly list them all. And despite me being one of the first artists to sign to Chapel, Cola and I haven’t released anything together either - so, of course, that’s a priority. I’d like to sing with Seongwoo, from Etude; he definite caught my attention after I saw him on “Masked Singer.” Ummm ... Duri, from Brat. Even if it’s just a dance collab. Though she is a woman of many talents. Honestly, I love collaborating with other artists. I can’t imagine myself ever saying no to anyone. [ laughs ]

FAN: How is your brother doing? And your dog?

🐻: Jay is doing very well! He’s still away at school, so I haven’t seen him in a while, but we spoke last night. Summer is getting closer, though, so he’ll be moving back in soon. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing. [ giggles ] I’m kidding. It’s always good to have him home. It’s even better when he cleans up after himself. As for Phillip, he’s doing great as well! Still very round and fluffy. He’s a grumpy boy but as long as he’s full of food and gets tummy rubs, his day is set.

FAN: Will you be returning to the US sometime soon?

🐻: [ in English ] That’s in the plan, for certain. I know a lot of my fanbase is International, which is why I still choose to release a lot of music in English, and I want to keep that connection strong. Plus, as embarrassing as it gets to admit sometimes, the US is my roots, and people say you always find your way back home, one way or another. [ laughs ] I may or may not be coming there to film something soon. Maybe.

FAN: Can you do more modeling, or CFs? I miss Unnie’s face on ads and TV ㅠ ㅠ

🐻: Aww, don’t worry. I may have a few things coming up in the near future. I’m just picky when it comes to collaborating with brands or studios, because I want it to be a product or a message I truly feel positively about.

FAN: Will you come to MoonPride this year?

🐻: If I don’t ever show up to MoonPride as either a performer or a guest, assume that I’ve died.

FAN: Unnie’s rap in “BDE” was so fierce!! You should rap more!!

🐻: Aww, you think so? Thank you! I think I’ve improved a lot, honestly. Rapping is fun, but my heart really lies with singing. Mostly I just do it to mix it up, I never want to become boring or predictable, even if I can do a lot of different things with my voice by this point in my career. It’s just nice to have options, and to never stop improving. You’ll certainly hear more rap from me in the future!!

FAN: How do you deal with hate comments and negative energy ...?

🐻: To be honest, I don’t. I ignore it. I’m always open to kind and thoughtful criticism, but meaningless hate doesn’t deserve any of my energy. Of course I’m only human, and sometimes my curiosity gets the better of me or I have a bad day and it gets me down, but I try to make it into a learning experience, and remember that I’ve come so far and I have a lot of people who love what I do, and who support me. And that I can and have been successful in achieving my dream, regardless of what others have thought -- maybe even in spite of it. Nobody can take that away from me, no matter how much they dislike me.

FAN: Are you keeping up with Drag Race? Who are you rooting for?

🐻: [ in English ] I’m two episodes behind, actually, but I’m planning on catching up as soon as I’ve got the time! This season has been stunning. I was rooting for Soju, but her time came too soon, [ whines ] so now my heart is with Plastique. She’s absolutely gorgeous, and all her looks are stunning. We follow each other on Instagram, actually, and we have been for a while! I had no idea she was going to be on the show.

FAN: Unnie, your voice is so unique and pretty. Do you just sing naturally or have you worked to develop that sound with lessons, trial and error, etc? Either way, I think you have the prettiest voice in the world and I could listen to your music all day.

🐻: Well, thank you! This is the sweetest thing I’ve heard in a while. I’ve been singing as long as I’ve been talking, honestly. Probably before that. [ laughs ] But when I was a trainee under a certain company, of course I had singing lessons. I remember my least favourite was where my vocal coach would make me do a handstand and sing the entire Korean National Anthem. I did like running on the treadmill and singing, though. I still do that when I exercise, and sometimes I even get inspiration for new music while working out. I also had to sing doing cartwheels, sing on a stationary bike, and sing while jumping rope, just to name a few things. As crazy as that sounds, it worked! My voice is pretty stable, and I have no problem singing while dancing. However, I did damage my voice really badly while under that company, because they required me to do a really unhealthy technique to produce a ‘unique’ sound. I was too afraid to do surgery because I didn’t want to lose my voice forever, so I had to undergo injections for the better part of a year, and my doctor told me not to sing at all for all that time - and to not even speak unless I absolutely had to. [ pauses, sighing shakily ] it was really hard. But I got through it, and I re-taught myself how to sing, and a lot of the wacky training I had to do back then came in handy when I put my voice through rehab. So I’ve had to do a lot of work to get to where I am now. [ smiles softly ] I’m proud of myself. Thank you for this comment. I’ll always remember it.

FAN: Is Unnie dating any pretty girls? ㅋ ㅋ ㅋ

🐻: [ laughs heartily ] No, unnie is not. Unnie is very single. Which is fine, I’m not in a rush to get into a relationship at this point in my life. I haven’t been for years, really. But if someone came along, I wouldn’t complain.

[ The chat flooded with ‘date me!’ and ‘I’m here!’ after that, causing Kkuma to burst into laughter. ]

🐻: Guys, guys! You’re so silly, please.

FAN: Unnie, I saw you in Hongdae a few weeks ago, but I was nervous to approach you because I thought you might get uncomfortable or mad ㅠ ㅠ ㅠ

🐻: Really? Aaahh, don’t worry about that! As long as you’re kind and respectful, Unnie won’t get upset. If you see me, you can come say hi! It’s alright. [ shows finger hearts ]

#a: vlive #e: broadcast #sns

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