On the July 13 episode of KBS 2TV’s “Crazy Rich Koreans”, Hwasa appeared as a guest and opened up about her struggles during her North American solo tour.
Despite having a fractured toe, she pushed through an intense schedule that included performances in 11 cities. During her 20th day on tour in Boston, Hwasa began to experience vocal issues and feared she was catching a cold. “It felt like the most threatening moment of the tour,” she said.
During rehearsal, she limited conversations and tried to conserve her voice. With her injured foot and declining health, she was concerned whether she could pull off the performance.
Jun Hyun-moo expressed concern about her powerful choreography. Hwasa replied, “It’s the same for all dancers. Our bodies are constantly pushed to the limit.”
She went on to say that Seattle and LA had the loudest fan reactions, forcing her to max out the volume on her in-ear monitor—but it still wasn’t enough. “When you turn the volume up too high, it causes tinnitus and damages your eardrums. One time, my in-ear monitor exploded,” she confessed.
When asked if her ear was injured, Hwasa replied, “Yes, I can’t hear well in my left ear.” Though she clarified it wasn’t caused by one specific show, she admitted, “The loud sound environments on stage have gradually affected my hearing. I always hear a ringing sound (tinnitus).”
Her honesty drew sympathy and concern from viewers and fans alike, who commented, “Please take care of your health”, “You’re always the best—no stage is worth your well-being” and “Your passion is admirable, but your health should come first.”
Despite the challenges, Hwasa continues to deliver powerful performances, reinforcing her reputation as one of K-pop’s most fearless and hardworking solo artists.