Despite having spent significant time in the spotlight, singer-songwriter HyunA says she still has a long way to go.

“I often get asked where I see myself in 10 years,” said HyunA during an interview at the office of her management agency Cube Entertainment in Seoul last Friday. “I just want to focus on becoming a better person and artiste than I was the previous day.”

HyunA, a former member of defunct K-pop group 4Minute, returned as a solo artist with her first album “A’wesome” launched on Monday.

Within hours of its release, the title track “How's This?” topped seven domestic music charts: Mnet, Bugs, Olleh Music, Naver Music, Soribada, Genie and Monkey3.

“I don’t consider this as a total reset of the career I’ve built so far,” said HyunA. “Rather, this album is an extension of everything I’ve done, including my time as a 4Minute member.”

Rather than being complacent about her past accomplishments, she is always looking to her next milestone. 

“I try to make sure I experience something new each year,” HyunA told a group of reporters. “Instead of aiming too high, I want to take my time and grow one step at a time.”

Although she has been offered many opportunities beyond the music industry, she focuses on building up her strengths.

“It is important for me to first fulfill my desire to become a stronger performer and singer,” she said when asked why she had turned down a role in the thriller film “The Wailing.”

After spending most of her career as a girl group member, HyunA says she is ready to embrace her own musical direction.

“Just even two years ago, I felt pressured to show my fans the best version of myself,” she said. “But now, I want to focus on creating more collaborative and intimate performances where I can share all the things I truly love and enjoy.”

By Kim Yu-young (ivykim@heraldcorp.com)