Hanari at Notsuoh: A night of city pop & pop-star vibes
Written by Julieta Torres | July 4, 2026
Nestled in between the bustling part of downtown Houston sits Nostuoh, an eclectic, intimate bar. Filled with leftover decor from retail stores long gone, the bar has gained popularity amongst artists, poets, filmmakers and musicians. The bar became the stage for a showcase of several artists, curated by Julia, also known as Hotel Chlorine, (@hotelchlorine). One of the featured artists was Hanari, (@hanarimusic), showcasing her talent for the very first time in Houston.
Hanari is a Korean American indie artist with music ranging from Korean city pop to lo-fi beats. Her Asian American identity comes alive through her music, exploring themes of self-expression with both Korean and English lyrics. The crowd lit up to match her unapologetic pop star charisma, which captured the attention of passerby. Many people stopped on the street to listen in on her performance, completely captivated by her vocals and presence.
Hanari entranced the crowd when she covered “Fairy of Shampoo,” a Korean song released in 1990 by the band Light & Salt. The song was later popularized by the K-pop group Tomorrow X Together, who released a cover in 2020. The dream-like vocals and hazy atmosphere blended perfectly with Hanari’s voice. The crowd matched her energy and stood up to dance along, creating an unforgettable connection with them.
She ended the night with a special performance of her newest song “Girl So Dumb,” a hyper pop song criticizing the world’s standards for women. With lyrics such as, "I’m so sick of this disease in me / That says I owe you all a smile for free.” The song highlights the way women are treated in society, particularly by men. Belting out the lyrics, the crowd applauded her talent and message as the night ended on an empowering note.
