Singer-actress Uhm Jung-hwa set the internet abuzz with her blazing passion for summer festival stages — and a bold on-camera plea to be invited to Waterbomb.
Recently, Uhm Jung-hwa uploaded a video to her YouTube channel showing how she prepares for a music festival. "There's a fun music festival in mid-June," she said. "It's been a while since I've been on stage, so I'm excited and nervous. I wanted to show how hard I'm preparing."
Through the video, she candidly revealed everything leading up to showtime — from high-intensity workouts to maintain her toned physique, to stage outfit fittings and nonstop choreography practice.
The vocal lesson segment especially moved viewers. After thyroid cancer surgery years ago, Uhm suffered vocal nerve damage that left lasting aftereffects. The trauma was so deep she even considered retiring, and she still looked tense, hyper-aware of her own voice. Her vocal coach pinpointed the core issue: "The biggest problem is that you keep censoring your own sound every time." Uhm answered carefully, "Because I'm scared." The coach encouraged her: "When you sing, emotion comes before technique." They added, "When people say you can't sing, you'll prove them wrong — and you already are. I've seen so many students, and you'd rank in the top five for sheer effort." Uhm eventually broke into tears.
"Whenever I feel defeated, my teacher gives me the courage to start again," she said, expressing her gratitude. Thanks to her relentless effort, her voice began flowing more naturally, and her expression brightened.
Even in grueling practice, Uhm's trademark wit shone. During dance rehearsal, she playfully complained to her dancers, "Why won't they invite me to summer festivals?" When one dancer replied, "I think they're scared because you're such a legendary senior," she laughed and said, "They should call me. I can absolutely tear it up." Turning to the camera, she added, "Waterbomb, could you invite Uhm Jung-hwa? I'll wear a swimsuit. I used to be the Summer Queen," sending the room into laughter.
After months of preparation, Uhm hit the festival stage and captivated the crowd with her undimmed aura and energy. Fans answered with thunderous cheers and mass sing-alongs, and Uhm shared her overflowing joy: "It feels like I received a year's worth of love today."
Uhm Jung-hwa debuted on the big screen in 1992, then expanded into music in 1993 with her first full-length album. She remains active across multiple fields to this day.