In each America and South Korea, June marks Satisfaction Month, with the 2024 celebration seeing one in every of Okay-pop’s uncommon representatives ship a common anthem honoring world pop icons.
The primary-ever LGBTQ+ boy band to return from the Okay-pop scene, LIONESSES has been bravely pushing for illustration in Korea and reaching the world with its constant string of all-inclusive anthems like “It’s OK to Be Me” and “Present Me Your Satisfaction” since debuting in 2021. Minus the group’s chief and music producer Damjun, LIONESSES’ countertenor Kanghan, vocalist Lee Malrang, in addition to its former member and rapper Foxman who exited in late 2022, all carry out in masks to hide their identities within the socially conservative South Korea the place LGBTQ+ individuals face prejudice, discrimination, and social stigmas with few protections in comparison with different developed democracies. However the music video to LIONESSES’ newest single “Like Christina Taught Me” not solely shines a highlight on a spread of pop icons — together with the titular Christina Aguilera — however sees Malrang getting into the worldwide highlight by taking his masks off for the primary time on digital camera.
“Like Christina Taught Me” has a bouncy, R&B-pop beat to again the trio’s vary of vocals delivering encouraging phrases and discovering consolation within the music of larger-than-life superstars that so many queer youngsters do. Referencing two of Xtina’s singles from her defining Stripped album from 2002, they sing on the refrain: “Know that you just’re ‘Stunning,’ like Christina taught me in that tune / Belief ‘The Voice Inside’” adopted by an Aguilera-esque growl.
With the combo of English and Korean lyrics, LIONESSES additionally pay tribute to Mariah Carey (“Sure, MC, I consider inside my soul, maintain on tight I gained’t let go’ / I can ‘Make It Occur’”), Whitney Houston (”Studying to like your self,’ like Whitney taught me in that tune / ‘The Best Love of All’”), and Michael Jackson (“Sure, MJ, I’mma begin to love that man/ That ‘Man within the Mirror”).
Impressed by the band members’ precise experiences, the accompanying music video depicts the LIONESSES members in a traditional Korean college setting, navigating bullies and mock from their classmates however discovering secret solace in a smiling associate and coming nearer to their true selves — like Kanghan showcasing her drag persona and Malrang eradicating his masks within the last seconds of the video in an exquisite second of public courageousness.
Regardless of wins like efficiently repealing bans from Korean-television broadcasters for his or her music, LIONESSES and their associates additionally take care of an onslaught of abuse from spiritual zealots in South Korea. Whether or not or not LIONESSES tops the charts, the illustration and tales that Damjun, Kanghan and Malrang herald a public setting are necessary steps in making a higher music business and world the place all are accepted no matter sexuality, gender id or the opposite points that make every human valuable.
Watch the “Like Christina Taught Me” music video beneath and skim on for an in depth interview with LIONESSES members.
Congratulations in your new single, LIONESSES! What does the tune imply to you all personally?
Kanghan: “Like Christina Taught Me” is about interior magnificence and embracing it. Because the title signifies, it’s a set of creative vitality that brings collectively musicians speaking about “magnificence.” I wanted time to simply accept myself, particularly throughout my profession in LIONESSES and taking off my masks and exhibiting my drag queen ego to the general public. However that’s once I received braveness and hope from watching the drag queens who have been already lively in Korea. It’s the identical for music, for drag, for dancing: with the ability to fill that braveness not directly to somebody who wants it, which impressed me to deliver that into my life. Particularly, I do know that this tune was impressed by the lyrics “You might be stunning, it doesn’t matter what they are saying” from Christina Aguilera’s “Stunning.” I bear in mind Damjun introducing us to this tune about all our magnificence.
Lee Malrang: It appears to be the toughest tune to sing reside out of all of the songs launched thus far, however because it’s named after the diva we admire probably the most, I’m all the time training laborious to sing extra completely. [Laughs]
Damjun: I made this tune to provide again to my followers the braveness that each one the nice musicians cited on this music, together with Christina. So I went again to Younger Damjun from my childhood period on this music video, and even appeared within the video carrying my college uniform! [Laughs]
Even after I debuted in LIONESSES, I nonetheless work as a vocal coach at some artwork excessive faculties as a result of I can’t simply ship my college students off to a different coach so simply. I assumed simply having one actor taking part in the position of my associates was not sufficient, so I introduced my college students to the set and requested for his or her assist. It was a particular expertise for me to behave in the identical uniform subsequent to my college students — however my college students will nonetheless snigger after we discuss it.
“Stunning” and “The Voice Inside,” Michael Jackson’s “Man within the Mirror,” Mariah Carey’s “Make It Occur,” Whitney Houston’s “Best Love of All,” Korea’s legendary diva Yoon Bok-hee’s “You,” and BTS‘ “Reply: Love Myself” — the message that each one these songs have given me is, “It’s OK.” Regardless of how a lot you might be cherished by others, I feel accepting your self is the start of all braveness. I need to remind anybody who will take heed to this tune that each one this music has informed me and that should you really feel OK about your self, the whole lot’s going to be OK.”
Damjun, you wrote, co-produced and vocal directed “Like Christina Taught Me.” Are you able to inform me about creating the tune?
Damjun: “Like Christina Taught Me” is a tune that I made to return the consolation given by Christina Aguilera, our nice diva, and to our followers DEN. Virtually three years have handed since my debut, time flies so quick however Christina is an artist who is nearly the whole lot to me. I’m positive my followers have typically seen me say in reside streams and Instagram posts, “80% of what raised me was Christina Aguilera.” That’s how a lot she’s included into my singing ability — I’m nonetheless method in need of her however I’m making an attempt to do my greatest. Typically simply buzzing her songs that I sing to followers on reside streams corresponding to “I Flip to You”, “Stunning,” “The Voice Inside,” “Ain’t No Different Man,” “Damage,” and her model of [James Brown‘s] “It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World” in her whistle register. [Laughs]
I’ve been dreaming of changing into a Okay-pop idol ever since I used to be a bit boy and I’ve had numerous alternatives come my method — come to think about it, I auditioned singing “The Voice Inside” once I was in highschool — however once I thought of if I used to be ever caught being bisexual, I assumed Korean society, again then, would destroy my music profession and all my family members. So, I gave up alternatives each time. For a very long time, I labored as a singer in ads, a marriage singer and vocal coach however with my debut with LIONESSES, I accepted numerous issues. I accepted on my own. I assumed, “I could make my story into music and inform it to individuals” and numerous tales that I had suppressed have been made into music.
Similar to how [Christina] helped me to not let go of my goals, singing “You might be stunning, it doesn’t matter what they are saying,” I need to give braveness to my youthful followers: “Know that you just’re stunning, like she taught me.”
Why did LIONESSES need to honor Christina Aguilera not simply within the lyrics, but in addition within the title?
Kanghan: As a result of all of us love Christina! [Laughs] She is an icon of our era. Particularly for me as a drag queen, she is a crucial determine who taught me find out how to be a diva.
Damjun: For me, Christina has been the vocal instructor I’ve by no means met for the previous 20 years. When I’ve to sing a brand new tune that I made, slightly than cowl another person’s tune, there are occasions once I simply don’t understand how am I presupposed to sing it. Each time I face that sort of pinch, I discover a solution considering, “What would Christina do?”
Once I first auditioned to turn into a singer in 2007, I used to be a bit homosexual boy in ninth grade. Earlier than that, I had opera singing coaching, however I wished to be a pop star identical to her. That’s when Christina got here to do a live performance in Korea — it was a world tour when the Again to Fundamentals album was launched and tens of hundreds of individuals flocked to Seoul’s Olympic Stadium to see her. She appeared in a white swimsuit — oh, rapidly, I really feel like a ninth-grade boy speaking about this! [Laughs] — however I wished to go to that present so my mom paid me an advance for nearly a yr’s value of allowance, I borrowed cash from my associates, and managed to purchase a ticket. And sure, she took the stage together with her child bump and touched tens of hundreds of individuals.
I fell in love together with her Again to Fundamentals character of “Child Jane” with songs known as “Candyman” and “Ain’t No Different Man.” She launched to me retro-vibe music when she launched that album and that’s once I first began looking for and listening to music from earlier generations of musicians corresponding to Etta James, Ella Fitzgerald and James Brown. Lately, I participated in CUMA 2024, a joint live performance of Korean and Japanese LGBTQ+ jazz musicians…it was additionally Christina who first launched the jazz music I sang on this efficiency!
I’ll love her music endlessly. , if in case you have somebody you’re keen on, you need to share it with them whenever you watch film or eat one thing scrumptious, proper? I wished to share the music that I really like with my beloved DENs, identical to that. And if there may be anybody who’s a bit boy like youthful me who’s torn between goals, abilities, and fears, I need to inform him this: “It’s OK to chase a dream,” as Christina informed me by means of her music.
You’ve shared a pair songs already, however what’s everybody’s favourite Xtina songs and movies?
Malrang: Oh god…I actually really feel like I’m a teen-girl fan of Christina. I like “What a Woman Desires”, “Come on Over (All I Need Is You)” and “Genie in a Bottle.” After all we focus on, “Who’s going to be Christina’s half after we sing ‘Woman Marmalade?’” each time we meet. [Laughs]
Kanghan: Truly, I didn’t know a lot about pop music earlier than I used to be an opera singer, however I primarily preferred Christina Aguilera’s hottest ballads then. Now, I really like her boldness and I’m turning into a giant fan, however “Like Christina Taught Me” specifically gave me an opportunity to mirror on “Stunning” and assume once more concerning the enormous consolation it gave us. My favourite tune proper now’s “Dirrty.”
The music video of “Stunning” has many outsiders wandering, not feeling constructive about themselves, being bullied by many individuals, however ultimately discovering their true selves. That’s what I’ve been by means of in my life too so I feel this tune has probably the most particular which means to all LGBTQ+ individuals of my era.
Damjun: I particularly like all of the songs within the Again to Fundamentals album, I assume I can’t overlook the primary time I really noticed her at a live performance. My largest purpose in highschool was to sing “Candyman” completely as soon as…it’s nonetheless laborious to sing! I additionally bear in mind training notes one after the other, whereas performing the intro line of “Ain’t No Different Man,” taking part in it a halfspeed. I additionally like her model of “Climb Each Mountain” [from The Sound of Music] and “Do What U Need” with Woman Gaga. Truly, I like her music from begin to end, so this reply is only a record of her songs that come to thoughts proper now.
I additionally preferred the just lately remade model of the “Stunning” music video. Is it OK to name your complete animation Mulan because the music video for “Reflection”? [Laughs] Her music was additionally used as a theme tune within the film…I preferred the pink background of “Loyal Courageous True” and the background manufacturing utilizing Chinese language characters as a result of it felt like fashionable artwork. My favourite, although, is unquestionably “Candyman.” Every part about it makes me really feel like I’m an American Navy [SEAL] from one other period.
Malang: I like “Candyman,” too! I as soon as dreamed of being an American pin-up lady. I wished to be a pin-up lady to make guys rise up — simply kidding!
You additionally honor Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston and Michael Jackson within the tune. Are you able to share how these artists are inspirations too?
Kanghan: Michael Jackson is the “King of Pop” that each one earthlings know, proper? I bear in mind once I was younger I’d play alongside along with his dances. As a performer, I respect him a lot for being a sensation that can go down in historical past. One in every of my position fashions, Korean gospel singer Sohyang, particularly talked about that the singer she respect probably the most is Whitney Houston so I listened to all of her music. Sohyang and Whitney are the singers who impressed me loads in my life.
Malrang: I particularly actually like MJ’s “You Are Not Alone.” I used to cry loads once I first heard it once I was little and I really take heed to it each time I needed to endure one thing on my own. This tune all the time provides me numerous energy.
Damjun: Earlier than our comeback within the second half of final yr, I talked to my followers about sponsoring a UNICEF marketing campaign collectively. I mentioned, “All pop musicians, together with Okay-pop artists, are like Michael Jackson’s kids. Everybody inherited his nice legacy and is making their very own music. So, I wished to do ‘Heal the World’ with DENs identical to Michael did to the world.” The identical goes for Whitney Houston’s voice. Maybe Christina, whom I maintain referring to as an icon, can also be thought of to be the best diva to have inherited her legacy. My complete life has been a apply course of to sing like them.
The quote from “Make It Occur” by Mariah Carey was a bit extra important to me. My different two members are Christians, however I’ve no faith. Nevertheless, after releasing “It’s OK to Be Me” in 2022, I grew to become strongly against faith in my thoughts when the tune was banned from broadcasting on the grounds of “homosexuality” by MBC. When followers around the globe protested, the broadcaster reversed it and I used to be attacked loads by Christians in Korea for the reversal. Pastors incited the congregation by praying that “We should always name [broadcasters] as a gaggle to get these homosexual singers out of the leisure business.” Hundreds of them went to the broadcasting corporations and protested to get us out of the Okay-pop business. Since Han and Malrang are Christians, so I don’t understand how they’d really feel, however I used to be on the top of my aversion towards Christianity on the time — I had loss of life threats messages from Christians in Korea and malicious complaints the place they systematically attacked me. From that, I hated numerous music, together with “Make It Occur,” which had a Christian message.
Nevertheless, I couldn’t deny the comfort and braveness Mariah gave me. It’s the homophobics that attacked me which can be dangerous, however not all faith and non secular music is dangerous. Ultimately I even listened to the nice gospel songs that Mariah launched — her music comforted me a lot that I felt so silly within the moments once I turned a blind eye to it as a result of it had a spiritual message. So, I quoted “Make It Occur” in our [new] tune, versus any of her numerous different songs, meaning to forgive the whole lot I suffered and provides a hand of reconciliation to Christianity. The Korean diva Yoon Bok-hee’s “You” quoted on this tune additionally had a spiritual message however I assumed that in the end, her willingness to be a consolation and pleasure as a voice for everybody was extra necessary.
And as I’ve talked about since my debut, as an ARMY — an outdated ARMY [Laughs] — I wished to incorporate the message that BTS gave me. They’re the idols of all idols now, however once I was working as a vocal coach and rejecting debut provides earlier than I debuted as LIONESSES, I used to be sad and pessimistic about the whole lot on the earth. When BTS first got here out with the message “Love Your self,” I assumed to myself, “It’s straightforward for you guys since you’re straight.” Then, I got here to know concerning the hardships they’ve been by means of, noticed their efforts, and fell in love with their music. I felt so ashamed of myself for not accepting the messages that BTS had conveyed just because they hadn’t had experiences as LGBTQ+ and that’s how particular all of the songs within the album Love Your self: Reply are to me. Once I listened to their music and sincerity previously, I felt so grateful for the messages that informed me to beat. Everybody has their very own struggles, and we’ve concluded that the best way to beat them is to “love yourselves,” as all the nice musicians talked about on this tune have mentioned.
Thanks for sharing all of your tales. Have you ever dealt had any feedback or bans with “Like Christina Taught Me”?
Damjun: [LIONESSES’ 2021 single] “Christmas Miracle” was banned by the Korean broadcaster CBS [The Christian Broadcasting System] on the “cost” of being LGBTQ — or, to be extra exact, “a singer who harms the Christian spirit.” Precisely a yr after that, “It’s OK to Be Me” went by means of the identical factor at MBC, Korea’s largest broadcasting station, however MBC resolved the misunderstanding when the director known as our firm instantly and apologized after complaints from followers and the media. The deliberations corrected it as a broadcast-approved tune, however because of this the aforementioned assaults persevered for months. There have been Christians who filed complaints with the varsity and training workplace the place I labored as a coach and begged me to fireside them. However now that I give it some thought, not everybody has the expertise of being worshipped by pastors, proper? [Laughs] So, I feel I’ll have enjoyable accepting it even when it occurs sooner or later? “Like Christina Taught Me” has not confronted any issues but, however even within the face of discrimination, I need to sing this tune firmly and convey extra of the message to the world.
Malrang: Truly, “Like Christina Taught Me” has scenes revealing bits and items of my college years. My precise highschool years have been hell. They’d name me “woman” and “transgender” as insults, and I used to be sexually harassed loads by them. I cursed and swore loads so I wouldn’t get beat up by the dangerous guys, and even now, I nonetheless find yourself saying issues that aren’t very refined, so my boss and Damjun was once involved about me. [All laugh] However even when a celeb with LGBTQ+ picture appeared on TV, bullies rushed to hit me. Someday when information of a queer movie star’s suicide was reported, they mentioned, “That is your future; you gained’t die comfortably.” However now it’s all previously — I like how a lot happier I’m after overcoming all of this within the music video.
The video can also be important as a result of Malrang removes his masks for the primary time and Kanghan shares her drag persona. Congratulations on this large step! What impressed these choices?
Malang: Final yr, when my grandmother handed away, I had numerous take into consideration my life. Throughout that point, it occurred to me that I had lived my life mendacity to my household for 30 years, as if I had put a skinny layer on my life. I used to be carrying a masks and popping out to the followers and the world, and bravely beginning my profession, however I couldn’t muster the braveness to return out to my household. So, there have been many conflicts with the label about unmasking. As such, my grandmother’s passing was a turning level for me since I felt I used to be always mendacity to the general public and to my household. I then addressed my considerations to Damjun who, in producing of this glorious tune, gave me the chance to return out once more to my household and the general public. I felt that I now not wished to play a deceiving position, however greater than something, I really feel relieved to have the ability to proudly stand in entrance of my household now.
Damjun: There was a Christian who attacked us earlier than mentioned, “They cover behind the masks as a result of they know they’re ashamed of themselves.” However , our masks was slightly in solidarity with followers wherever who couldn’t come out instantly. After all, I’ve proven my face since our debut however they tried to unfold the argument that “they’re hiding behind the masks as a result of they’re ashamed of themselves”, and so they solely captured and watched footage of the different members carrying masks besides my face on the Web.
Kanghan: My alter ego, the drag queen “Rooya,” was additionally first revealed to the world by means of LIONESSES’ music movies. Actually, I’ve dressed up in full drag-queen make-up and outfits for Rooya, however pre-LIONESSES I used to be solely dressed up alone in my room and was by no means seen by individuals. I’ve been admiring the queens within the musicals Hedwig and the Offended Inch and Kinky Boots and I consider that revealing the drag queen as a LIONESSES member is a method to deliver again the inspiration I’ve acquired from them. I hope that I can proceed to point out you the brand new Rooya by means of LIONESSES.
Malrang, I’ve heard you’re associated to a different well-known singer, Jeon Soyeon of (G)I-DLE! Have you ever two linked over music?
Malrang: We’re cousins, so we met typically on holidays. When she and I have been very younger, I taught her find out how to play the piano simply as soon as and he or she has already turn into the very best composer within the Okay-pop business so I’m all the time pleased with her and her expertise. If that brief reminiscence is a musical connection to her, it may be mentioned that it’s a connection, however as , relations don’t normally discuss work.
I initially made my debut in 2009 previously, and Soyeon supported and listened to me loads. After that, I used to be rising my world as an indie musician and as Soyeon ready to turn into a Okay-pop idol, I talked together with her about her mindset as an artist and perspective on stage. However when my little sister grew to become a profitable musician and began (G)I-DLE‘s world tour, I cried loads once I got here again from the live performance corridor. I used to be so pleased with her and for with the ability to so completely join with such a big viewers.
So, once I launched this single, I made a decision to disclose my naked face to the general public and, on the similar time, I got here out to her. She has given me a heat assist and has given me numerous assist for my future as a Okay-pop artist. If I might say a phrase to my little sister Soyeon as an older brother, by means of this interview, I want to say, “As your older brother, I’ll all the time attempt to be , fellow singer that you’re not ashamed of.”
The rest you want to share with Billboard readers or possibly Xtina herself?
Malrang: Christina unnie! Subsequent time you go to Korea, ensure to have a glass of soju with mala xiang guo [the spicy Chinese spicy dish that’s popular nowadays). And let’s sing a “spicy” song together!
Kanghan: I still vividly remember how you came out on RuPaul’s Drag Race and supported the drag artists. Because you are the goddess of all the drag queens, I am honored to continue to love your music as great as you have given the LGBTQ+ community.
Damjun: Christina, you’ll have no idea how much you are loved by singers who come after you. Especially for LGBTQ+ boys and girls, like me, who got the hope to live by hearing “You are beautiful” from your music…as a singer who wanted to be like Christina, I think the best I can do is to share the courage and comfort I received from you to my fans again. So, I’m still working hard to resemble you. Christina, I believe that beauty comes from love. Everything that is loved becomes beautiful. That’s why I, as a crooked adolescent boy, was able to become as beautiful as I am now based on the love you gave me through music. I was reluctant to love myself, but your music did so I want to make this song that conveys the message to someone, “Oh, this song loves me.” Because if someone’s having a hard time loving yourself, you can be loved by these kinds of songs first. I love you — to “the voice of our generation” from “the boy of your generation.”
And I’m especially grateful to the people who are fans of countless stars, including my dear DEN, and I want you to know that your presence gives us the strength to live and to create. We, all the musicians can be exist because we have fans. Also, my solo songs will be released in the second half of this year or the first half of 2025…I feel I will be able to sing about more personal things in my solo.
Kanghan: My dear DEN, you know we are always together, right? I hope this year’s Pride Month will have happier and more queer days.
Malrang: Our new single needs a lot of attention, right? [Laughs] We all the time attempt to learn all of the feedback. We’ll await you, we love you!
