Hey guys, it's Tracy with Young Hollywood, and I am here at Kcon in LA with the beautiful, Ailee, how are you?

Hi, I'm good. Thank you for having me.

Yeah, thank you for having us. Um, first of all, Kcon is so crazy. I've been seeing all the fans outside. The energy is insane. What is it like just to like meet the fans in person and get to perform in front of them?

It always feels great to meet the fans overseas that are not in Korea, um, because I I I learned that K-Pop has become so popular outside of Korea and they want to see the artists in their own country. So, Kcon is this huge opportunity to get, um, K-Pop culture into the other countries in the world. So, being a part of Kcon means a lot to a lot of the artists in Korea.

And it's actually interesting because you're from the US, you were born here, right?

Yes, I was born here.

So, you grew up in New Jersey.

Yes. Jersey. That's right. Jersey girl.

Jersey girl. So, but like did you grow up kind of knowing Korean? Were you fluent in it before you moved to South Korea?

Yes. Uh, so I knew Korean all my life. My parents spoke it, my grandparents spoke it. So, it was always a part of my culture and I learned both English and Korean growing up. So, it's kind of, yeah, I guess I was kind of smart.

K-Pop is just becoming such a huge phenomenon. I mean, all over the world and especially here in the US. So, what is it like for you coming back to the US and sort of seeing how K-Pop has grown into this like crazy phenomenon that everyone is obsessed with?

Well, it means a lot to me because back when I was, uh, dreaming to become a K-Pop star, it wasn't as big and nobody really knew about all my favorite K-Pop stars back in the day. So, it means a lot to me when I come back here and everybody already knows who, you know, BTS is, Big Bang or myself. So, it means a lot to me and to be a part of that movement at this time, in this moment is just amazing.

Who were some of your favorite K-Pop idols? Oh, do you know any? I mean, I you tell me and then I'm going to look up. So, my favorite

I'm learning, I'm learning a lot by the way. Yes. My favorite was Fin. K. L. and S. E. S. Do you know Lee Hyori?

No, but I need to go check that out.

She's a very sexy female solo artist. I loved her.

Well, I am obsessed with your music. You are so Your voice is incredible. It's so powerful.

Oh, thank you.

So, how would you kind of describe your music to, you know, maybe somebody who hasn't listened to you yet, as an artist?

I would say real. Um, I try to portray myself as real as I can and as honest as I can through my music. Uh, I love the high energy in my music, but also, you know, being human, I have very different moments emotionally. I can be sad one time, or I can be just super happy one time. That's just the kind of person I am. So, I like doing both types of music. I do slow ballads and just crazy fast dance tracks. I do R&B. So, yeah, if you're just in a mood to listen to any kind of music, you could always listen to my songs.

Multi-talented, right here. You did a cover of Beyoncé's Halo a few years ago that went viral. So, if you haven't watched it, you should watch it. Are you still a huge Beyoncé fan?

Of course. Of course. I don't think I can ever not be Beyoncé's fan.

Do you have any other artists that you just sort of look up to or that inspire you?

Ciara, Bruno Mars, a lot of Ariana Grande as well. So, yeah, all the good music.

And then do you have any favorite like go-to beauty products that you like can't live without, that you have to have?

I actually don't wear a lot of makeup on a daily basis because I wear so much makeup during, you know, when I work, I don't put anything on my face.

Really?

Yeah.

But which is why you have a perfect glowing skin.

Maybe, maybe because I don't put yeah, because I don't really put makeup on my face. Um, but if I have to go out, I put lipstick on no matter what. That's the only thing I put on my face.

What are you working on? What do you want your fans to be excited about? Crazy.

Well, I'm working on my next album and, uh, I recorded a lot of songs throughout the two years, but I just I know that you guys have been waiting for a very long time. So, I'm just going to say for sure there are English tracks on the album that you can look forward to in my Korean album. So, uh, yeah, just be excited about that.

And they're called Aileens, right?

Yes. My little Aileens.

Honestly, the best fandom name ever. Just so perfect.