[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] “K-Pop Hot Talk” is a weekly column that highlights memorable quotes gathered while covering the K-pop scene. <Editor’s Note>

◇“I couldn’t leave out the topic of eating disorders”
These were the words spoken by singer-songwriter Kwon Jin-ah (28) at the press showcase for her third mini-album, “SAVE ME,” held on the 15th at the Dongyang Life Hall in the NOL Theater in Hapjeong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.
On that day, Kwon Jin-ah candidly explained why she included scenes reflecting her past struggles with anorexia and bulimia in the music video for the title track “MONSTER.”
“During my long period of self-loathing, my struggles with eating disorders were an inescapable part of my life,” she explained. “That’s why I incorporated that narrative into the music video.” She continued, “When I debuted at a young age, I hated both my face and my body,” confessing, “I thought dieting was the quickest way to escape those thoughts, and I suffered from anorexia and bulimia while struggling with body image obsession for a long time.”
Kwon Jin-ah also said, “We still aren’t free from a culture that glorifies being thin and pretty. I’m no exception,” adding, “This was a story I’d always wanted to tell, and the timing was just right this time, so I was able to incorporate it into the music video.”

The central theme of her new album, “Save Me,” is “self-loathing.” Marking her 10th anniversary since debut, Kwon Jin-ah has released her first album consisting entirely of rock tracks, using music to express the inner wounds she hadn’t been able to fully reveal until now. “I’m the type of person who has to do whatever I set my mind to,” Kwon Jin-ah said with a smile. “Making this album really gave me a sense of relief.”
The album features a total of five tracks, including the title track “Monster,” as well as “Who Can Change,” “Rain on Me,” “87 Days,” and “Don’t Save Me.” The title track, “Monster,” is a song that combines an energetic sound with a story of someone who calls herself a monster but ultimately vows to “survive.”
Kwon Jin-ah explained, “I chose the rock genre because I felt that the sound of an electric guitar with distortion was the most suitable for expressing self-loathing and the stories deep within my heart.” This means she aimed to express inner emotions—such as self-loathing, anxiety, and anger—more directly through the raw, distorted guitar sound.
Finally, marking the 10th anniversary of her debut, she said, “I feel like there’s so much I want to do, so I’m really looking forward to what’s ahead,” adding, “In the future, I want to challenge myself with a variety of music by releasing not only ballads but also R&B and acoustic pop albums.”