Hello and welcome back to HallyuTones – always focused on sound, stage and substance.
Today’s guest needs no introduction. Eagle-eyed LUMINA instantly worked out our clues as we teased our upcoming interview over the past week!
NVee is an artist at the forefront of the next generation of K-Pop. As a member of the multinational K-Pop Girl Group BLACKSWAN, she is a trend-setter: bringing top-tier vocals, mesmerising stage presence and a healthy dose of humour to capture the hearts of fans worldwide.
In 2025, BLACKSWAN released their single album, ‘I Like It Hot’, performed at festivals around the world, and participated in Apple TV+’s show, ‘KPOPPED‘ alongside boy band legends Boyz II Men. Beyond this, NVee is a co-host on the radio show ‘Wonder Hours With Hyerim‘ and YouTube food show ‘K Spiciest Club‘.
Read on to explore more behind NVee’s story, what motivates her through difficult times, and the influences of black culture on the K-Pop music scene.
Interview:
Q1. Please introduce yourself and your group!
A) Hi! This is NVee, from the Multinational K-Pop Girl Group BLACKSWAN!
Q2. We know you were a fan of BLACKSWAN before joining as a member. Do you think you’ve achieved what you saw for yourself when you auditioned?
For sure! At least I feel I achieved Part 1 of what I envisioned for myself as an artist. There are still more dreams that I still aspire to achieve, as well as new ones I’ve thought of along the way. Though I can finally check debut off my list!
Q3. BLACKSWAN recently appeared on Apple TV’s new show ‘KPOPPED’, which featured a collaboration between yourselves and legendary boy group ‘Boyz II Men’. If there was another ‘Boyz II Men’ song that you could cover, which one would it be and why?
Absolutely ‘On Bended Knee’ – this is a song that can challenge me as a singer. Not just because it’s harder technically, but emotionally. Listeners should be able to feel your emotion through your voice. It’s not easy to do. Artists don’t just sing songs, they bring them to life. This song can challenge me and make me grow.
Q4. Before debuting in K-Pop, you had some musical theatre experience. What would you say are the biggest differences between the musical theatre world and performing as an idol?
Honestly I feel Musical Theatre and K-Pop have a lot of similarities and techniques especially when it comes to singing and dancing together. However, other than musicality, I would say how you perform is the biggest difference. In musical theatre, specifically stage shows, I’ve been taught to make your reactions big on stage so that those all the way in the back are able to see and feel you. While in K-Pop, we are taught subtle is better. Less is more, especially since you’ll be seen on camera. Though we still have to make our body movements big so the choreography looks right. Ha,Ha!
Q5. Moving to Korea from the US to pursue your dreams must have been a huge decision for you. What strategies did you use to help yourself learn Korean and adjust to Korean cultural differences?
Ummm, I’m still adjusting and learning and it’s been 3 years! Though I didn’t have a hard time adjusting to the culture but learning the language itself. I think it’s taken me longer than the other members since I learn slower than most. So, really adjusting to speaking Korean 24/7 has been the hardest because I’m afraid to make a mistake. Though what I am learning now, is not to care and just speak, whether I’m wrong or not.
Q6. What is something you have learned from each of the members that sticks with you?
Open up and let others help you, even if you feel embarrassed or that you can do it on your own. There’s nothing wrong with asking for help.
Q7. You are known for your optimistic approach and bright personality, what are some ways you stay positive when faced with challenges?
Trust me when I tell you, I struggle just as much as the next person with staying optimistic. Especially now that I’ve debuted. However, one thing I’ve learned is to not OVERTHINK. Your thoughts can be a powerful weapon for you or against you. The more you say “you can” you will. The more you tell yourself you’re beautiful or I can achieve anything I want, your mind and body will believe it too. Be nice to yourself especially on your hard days.
Q8. You also acted previously. If you had the opportunity to act again in the future, what would your dream role be and why?
100% yes! If a good opportunity arises, I’d love to give it a try! I don’t really have any dream roles, but I think it’d be fun to play Eliza in the musical Hamilton, or honestly try out for the live action One Piece. Now that would be an adventure!
Q9. You recently appeared on ‘K SPICIEST CUP’, trying many of Korea’s spiciest dishes. What Korean dishes would you recommend to anyone visiting Korea for the first time?
A) Gamja-tang, Dwaeji Kimchi Jjigae, and Samgyeopsal. Best dishes you will eat here!
Q10. K-Pop as a genre is always growing, changing, and reinventing itself. What do you think makes the K-Pop scene so unique and interesting?
I would say the concepts, performance, and storytelling are the most captivating. As well as the way they take different genres or styles from around the world and fuse them to make a song.
Q11. K-Pop owes much of its roots to girl groups like TLC and Destiny’s Child. Which black American artists do you personally feel have had a big impact on the K-Pop scene?
Honestly, I think many and all black American singers and rappers have made their own impact on Kpop. It would be hard to just name 1 or 2.
Q12. What is one aspect of Black American culture that you as Alena feel very proud of and want to share with the Korean audience?
I’m sure it’s already been introduced and I’m still learning it myself, but I’d love to share more of the soul, blues, funk, and jazz styles. We don’t hear them as often nowadays so I’d love to see a rise in that again. I also would love for someone to open a Black American Soul Food restaurant in Seoul!
Q13. If you could collaborate with any artist of your choice for a new BLACKSWAN/solo release, who would you choose?
Awww there’s too many great artists! I would say Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak is a dream collaboration for me. Their music and especially their live performances are outstanding! I’d love to work and learn from them.
Q14. HallyuTones has readers everywhere from Nigeria to Canada to South Korea. What do you hope people who may not have heard about NVee or BLACKSWAN take away from this interview about you and your group?
That no matter where you are from or how old you are, as long as you believe and stay true to the unique qualities that you, yourself bring, your dreams will have no limits, to how far you can reach.
Q15. Lastly, do you have any messages for Luminas?
LUMINA! I always say this, but I’m endlessly grateful to have you with us. We would not be BLACKSWAN without you and your love. Please stay healthy and warm this winter season, and Happy Holidays! Love you!
Thank you so much to NVee for her time and for her thoughtful answers to our questions, and thank you to DR Music for coordinating this opportunity. Thank you as well to LUMINA for all the love and support, you are an incredibly dedicated fandom!
We wish NVee continued success, and hope to work with the BLACKSWAN members again in the future!
To keep up to date with NVee, be sure to follow her on the platforms below:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/n_v.ee/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@n_v.ee?lang=en
BLACKSWAN Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackswan___official/
BLACKSWAN YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BlackswanOfficial201016
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2ujaWf015QoP7x1u20Yq5G
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/blackswan/1535414456
Watch ‘KPOPPED’ on Apple TV+: https://tv.apple.com/us/episode/boyz-ii-men-blackswan/umc.cmc.1giqb2cr7m04aqylwcylj3o0p?showId=umc.cmc.1yvpbd5uvcq8txtj1gfnw5iox
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