The Hidden Story Behind HaSeul's Plastic Candy: From Creation to Stage

"Plastic Candy," HaSeul's highly anticipated solo track, has earned an impressive 3.91 out of 5 rating from over 630 listeners since its release on October 26, 2023. This sophisticated city pop creation, produced by renowned K-pop producer SWEETCH, showcases a unique blend of Sophisti-Pop and Smooth Soul elements.

The song, which first captivated audiences at HaSeul's debut concert 'Music Studio 81.8Hz', weaves an intricate narrative using the moon as its central motif. Additionally, this 3-minute-34-second masterpiece serves as a stepping stone toward HaSeul's upcoming solo album with ARTMS, planned for early next year.

The idea behind Plastic Candy

Long before "Plastic Candy" became HaSeul's reintroduction to fans as a soloist, the song began as a special gift. Following her departure from LOONA and joining ARTMS, HaSeul wanted to create something meaningful that would showcase her artistic evolution while honoring her musical roots.

How the concept was born

The creative vision for "Plastic Candy" emerged from HaSeul's desire to express herself authentically after a significant career transition. Unlike her previous solo work "Let Me In" from her LOONA days, she deliberately chose to explore a completely different genre, though this decision made her "very nervous before showing it to fans".

The production team behind the track brought together impressive talent. SWEETCH, the producer who had previously worked on LOONA's "알 수 없는 비밀(Sonatine)," partnered with city pop artist Choi HEART to craft a sophisticated city pop sound specifically tailored to HaSeul's vocal strengths. This collaboration aimed to highlight what Modhaus CEO Jaden Jeong described as HaSeul's natural allure—a quality he noticed during her original audition years earlier.

Furthermore, the song captures HaSeul's vocal charm, described as having "slender yet pretty lines", characteristics that perfectly complement the nostalgic yet modern city pop sound. The track was completed in October 2023, making it HaSeul's first official release under ARTMS' new creative direction.

Why the moon became a central theme

The moon serves as the primary motif throughout "Plastic Candy," creating a poetic throughline that connects the song to HaSeul's artistic identity. In the lyrics, the line "The moon is exceptionally clearer" establishes this celestial body as a witness to emotional transitions and memories.

Essentially, the moon imagery provides both continuity and contrast—linking back to LOONA (whose name translates to "girl of the month" and used moon symbolism extensively) while allowing HaSeul to explore new thematic territory. The lyrics weave this lunar motif throughout, using it to frame the song's deeper message about authenticity versus superficiality.

The metaphor of "plastic candy" itself represents hollow relationships and deceptive appearances, contrasted against the genuine clarity of moonlight. This duality creates a thought-provoking narrative about seeking authentic connections in a world filled with artificial sweetness—reflective of HaSeul's own journey toward artistic authenticity in her post-LOONA career.

Inside the studio: how the song was made

The production of "Plastic Candy" brought together a remarkable collaborative effort, uniting seasoned professionals who carefully crafted each element of the track to complement HaSeul's distinctive vocal qualities.

Working with SWEETCH and Choi HEART

The musical foundation of "Plastic Candy" emerged through a deliberate partnership between two accomplished producers. SWEETCH, already familiar with HaSeul's artistic capabilities through his previous work on LOOΠΔ 1/3's "Sonatine," returned to create something uniquely tailored to her solo identity. Alongside him, city pop artist Choi HEART contributed her specialized genre expertise to shape the track's distinctive sound.

This collaboration wasn't assembled by chance. The production team deliberately paired SWEETCH's understanding of HaSeul's "lithe yet pretty lines" with Choi HEART's city pop sensibilities to create something that would highlight HaSeul's vocal strengths. Their combined creativity resulted in a track that balanced nostalgic influences with contemporary production approaches.

Choosing the city pop sound

The decision to pursue a city pop direction for "Plastic Candy" wasn't arbitrary. City pop, which originated in late 1970s Japan, is characterized by sophisticated sound, polished melodies, and lyrics exploring mature themes. The genre typically incorporates elements of funk, disco, R&B, soft rock, and boogie.

This musical style proved particularly appropriate for HaSeul's vocal texture and the moon-centered lyrical content. City pop's association with technological advancement and urban sophistication also aligned perfectly with HaSeul's reintroduction as a solo artist. Notably, the genre employs songwriting techniques commonly found in jazz, such as major seventh and diminished chords.

Recording and mixing process

The technical execution of "Plastic Candy" involved numerous specialists ensuring every aspect of the track met professional standards. Recording engineer Min Sung-hwan captured HaSeul's vocals at The VIBE Studio, while background vocalist C'SA contributed supporting vocal elements.

After recording, mixing engineer EMON (KOR) refined the track's sonic balance. The final mastering process was handled by acclaimed engineer Kwon Nam Woo, who polished the overall sound. The arrangement was expertly crafted by a team including SongK, SWEETCH, and ddodde.

Collectively, these professionals transformed "Plastic Candy" from conceptual vision to polished digital single over a period of months prior to its October 2023 release.

From digital file to live stage

The journey of "Plastic Candy" from completion to public debut followed a remarkably tight timeline. After months of studio work, the transition to live performance happened within hours of its digital release.

Debuting the song at Music Studio 81.8Hz

On October 26, 2023, ARTMS made a midnight announcement that HaSeul would release her digital single "Plastic Candy" later that same day. The strategic rollout involved the song dropping at precisely 6 p.m. KST, followed by its live premiere just two hours later at her first solo concert event.

The venue, aptly named "HaSeul Music Studio 81.8Hz," hosted her first small theater concert series which ran from October 26 through October 29. This intimate setting created the perfect atmosphere for introducing the city pop track to her most dedicated supporters.

"Plastic Candy" stood out as a centerpiece among several debut performances. Throughout the concert series, attendees were treated to additional first-time performances including "Blooming Moon" (formerly titled "Daydream"), HaSeul's self-composed solo "Forever," and another artist's work titled "Sad Girls Club".

Visuals and stage design for the performance

The concert experience was carefully crafted to complement the dreamy aesthetic of "Plastic Candy." As one audience member noted, the performance created a "dreamlike feeling" that enhanced the song's impact.

HaSeul and her team designed the staging to create an intimate radio studio atmosphere—fitting for an event titled "Music Studio 81.8Hz." This concept allowed her to showcase her vocal strengths in a setting that emphasized both the song's lyrical depth and musical sophistication.

The visual presentation invited listeners to "deeply consider the lyrics while listening," suggesting thoughtful lighting and stage elements that emphasized the moon motif central to the song. Moreover, this carefully constructed atmosphere helped establish the tone for HaSeul's artistic identity beyond her previous group work—a seamless integration of her past musical experience with her new solo direction.

The remix and what came next

After captivating audiences at HaSeul's intimate theater concerts, "Plastic Candy" found new life in a transformed version that would showcase the collective vocal talents of ARTMS. This evolution demonstrates how the group strategically builds upon solo projects to create a cohesive artistic identity.

How 'Candy Crush' evolved from the original

"Candy Crush," released on April 25, 2024, at 1 p.m. KST, reimagined HaSeul's solo single within the broader context of ARTMS as a group. As the third pre-release single from their first full-length album "," the track deliberately refined "Plastic Candy" into what producers described as a "more ARTMS style song".

The transformation involved significant musical adjustments. In contrast to the original's slower, more emotive approach with prominent trumpet lines and a guitar solo finale, "Candy Crush" accelerated the tempo and introduced a distinctive hazy atmosphere. Music reviewers noted that while "Plastic Candy" evoked late-1970s Mariya Takeuchi vibes, "Candy Crush" leaned into a funkier bass-driven sound with smooth vocal interplay between members.

Indeed, the production team kept SWEETCH involved in both versions, ensuring continuity despite the stylistic shifts. This deliberate evolution resulted in what HaSeul herself described as "the most enjoyable song to listen to" on the album.

What this means for ARTMS' future releases

The creation of "Candy Crush" reveals ARTMS's broader artistic strategy. According to official statements, the planning of these pre-release singles was deliberately designed so that "solo music will expand and join forces to create a complete picture called ARTMS".

Consequently, each pre-release single connects to individual members' previous work: "Flower Rhythm" samples HeeJin's "Kehwa" and "Algorithm," "Candy Crush" draws from HaSeul's "Plastic Candy," and "Air" references ODD EYE CIRCLE's "Air Force One". This approach creates a musical narrative that bridges their past and present identities.

Kim Lip, another ARTMS member, actually highlighted how "Candy Crush" became her favorite track specifically because "it was a song that could really highlight our different voices". This perspective underscores how the group intentionally transforms individual expressions into collaborative showcases, as Kim Lip noted, "We put a lot of effort into adding the ARTMS feel to existing songs before releasing them".

FAQS

Fans curious about the technical details behind "Plastic Candy" often ask several common questions. Here's a straightforward breakdown of what people frequently want to know about HaSeul's solo single.

Who produced "Plastic Candy" by HaSeul?

"Plastic Candy" was produced by a talented trio of music professionals: Sweetch, Ddodde, and SongK. This collaboration brought together diverse production styles that contributed to the song's distinctive city pop sound. Sweetch, in particular, had established credibility in K-pop production circles before working on this track.

When was "Plastic Candy" released?

The digital single was officially released on October 26, 2023, at 6 p.m. KST. This release coincided precisely with HaSeul's debut solo concert series "Music Studio 81.8Hz," where she performed the track live just hours after its digital launch.

Who wrote the lyrics for "Plastic Candy"?

The song's lyrical content, which explores themes of authenticity versus superficiality through lunar imagery, was carefully crafted to showcase HaSeul's artistic vision after her transition to ARTMS.

What genre is "Plastic Candy"?

The track falls primarily within the city pop genre, incorporating elements of Sophisti-Pop and Smooth Soul. This musical direction was deliberately chosen to highlight HaSeul's vocal qualities and mark a distinct departure from her previous work.

How long is the song?

The complete track runs 3 minutes and 34 seconds, offering listeners a concise yet fully developed musical experience.

Is "Plastic Candy" available on streaming platforms?

Yes, upon its October 2023 release, the song became available across major music streaming services including Spotify, allowing global listeners to experience HaSeul's solo work.

How does "Plastic Candy" connect to "Candy Crush"?

"Candy Crush" serves as a reimagined version of "Plastic Candy," transformed to feature all ARTMS members as part of their album "" strategy of building group releases from solo foundations.