Hwasa’s Claws Come out With “Twit”
When it was announced Hwasa of MAMAMOO would have a solo debut, I honestly didn’t know what to expect. MAMAMOO, and particularly Hwasa, have conquered such an array of styles that it was hard to predict the artistic direction she would take. However, with the release of “Twit” on February 13, I can wholeheartedly say Hwasa’s solo debut was 100%, unapologetically Hwasa.
In “Twit,” Hwasa sings of an overbearing relationship with a partner who blindly idolizes her. Lying somewhere between trap house and pop, the song also has a jazzy, Latin flavor to it with the flute featured in the chorus. “Twit” highlights both Hwasa’s prowess as a vocalist and rapper, and considering that she is known for her sultry voice just as much as her sultry persona, it’s nice to see that Hwasa’s solo debut capitalized on her vocal range.
In addition to a catchy beat, a strong message, and a chorus that’s bound to get stuck in your head, “Twit” also references the Shim Cheong tale from Korean folklore wherein a young girl sells herself to the Sea God to bring back her blind father’s eyesight. In the story, the father is promised by a monk that his eyesight will be restored if he can provide the monk with rice. Hasty in his decision, the father agrees to the deal without being able to afford the costs. When Shim Cheong finds out about the promise, she vows to pay for the rice herself—a decision which her father happily accepts; however, the only solution she finds to make money is to sell herself to sailors as an offering to the Sea God. Ultimately, this sacrifice is done in vain as the father remains blind and now must live without his daughter. Taking the rashness of both Shim Cheong and her father into account, it is easy to see how one could draw parallels between the characters in this story and the mindless infatuation of which Hwasa sings. (Rest assured: the original story does have a happy ending, which you can read more about here.)
The music video is where this debut truly shines, as the song’s concept and choreography elevate the release from catchy to mesmerizing. On top of sporting so many fierce looks that it’s almost impossible to keep track of them, Hwasa even introduces imagery such as when she is encased in plastic—a pretty clear metaphor for how blind love can be objectifying.
While the music is enjoyable in itself, watching Hwasa perform “Twit” with choreography is incredibly satisfying. If the chorus isn’t already stuck in your head just by listening to it, then you’ll most certainly find yourself dancing to it after having watched the music video.
All in all, this release is very image-heavy, whether it’s Hwasa’s many outfits or the concept of smothering love, and this should make promotions entertaining. Interesting from start to finish, “Twit” is the perfect way for Hwasa to start her solo career with the only downside being that she hadn’t debuted as a solo artist earlier.