In Conversation with Hanari: An Exclusive Interview
Written by Kimberly Saenz | May 21, 2026
In anticipation of her new single, “GIRL SO DUMB,” dropping May 22, 2026, singer-songwriter, Hanari, sat down with Nopality Magazine to discuss the music-making process. Hannah Haas, the 22-two-year-old behind the stage name, is as unsurprisingly witty and steadfast as her lyrical composition. As she delves into the shapeshifting nature of her discography, made up of singles from 2020 to now, she describes the genre that is recently piquing her interest: “Honestly, electro pop. This leaves it open to interpretation. I love heavy synths, you know nostalgic 2010s synths, but with my own Hanari spin added through the lyrics and harmonies.” With singles like “FIRST TIME” and “MULTICAMERA,” the dance-pop house beats paired with her gothic vocals reflect an aesthetic to look forward to with “GIRL SO DUMB.”
Photos by Hanari
Electro pop is a sharp contrast from where it all began, when her father gifted her a studio mic during the 2020 pandemic. In the confines of her bedroom, and sometimes her dorm room, she released a series of multilingual K-pop and Lofi singles with little to no personal production experience, “I cold emailed producers whose sound I liked, and luckily some of them answered. They took a big bet on me. I would still like to learn more production, but I have gotten to collaborate with other people and explore genres.” Despite the sonic shift on the spectrum that is Hanari’s music, she sustains cohesion through the common denominator in a rotation of producers: herself. “I am not afraid to give notes to producers on the sound I want. I usually ask producers for skeleton beats [musical framework or bones] and come up with toplines that I weave into the music.” It is her interweaving that creates a cohesive line of work regardless of genre.
Her experimental approach is genre-bending, but through her bold lyricism, her conviction and personal ethics stand the test of time. “FIRST TIME” is not just about a girl in her twenties, but a commentary on the beauty standards of the technological era, the passage of time, climate change, and identity. On her approach to finding the language to put a song together, she says, “First, I blab something out, then define it by finding a few strong lines that will speak to the theme and narrative. “FIRST TIME” is about my twenties, sure, but there are sub themes, like losing sense of my mother tongue. I try to weave in complexities to speak my truth.” The thematic layers of Hanari’s music are what separates her from mainstream pop; “‘GIRL SO DUMB’ is about being a woman in this climate — out on the 22nd, shameless plug! It is a more mature approach for me, I want to cause a little discord, make people think.”
Knowing now that she graduated with a bachelor's in psychology in August of 2025, (say congrats, Hanari), that her mother is a Korean/English translator, and that her childhood dream was to be a novelist, Hanari’s knack for rhyming, enjambment, and putting thoughts into words is clearly her destiny. “Psychology taught me how to be in tune with myself and others, how to relate and talk to people. I love the English lexicon, finding that exact right word.” Spoken like a true lyricist, she shares that using a framework helps her to condense and rework how her lyrics will fit into the song's melodies and aesthetic. Having lived in Korea from ages three to eight, being Korean American is an inherent part of her identity that she takes pride in. “I do include Korean lyrics often, but I like to do it with feeling and intention. It is a conscious decision that I will not force.” Allowing her music to take shape organically and authentically is true, too, for the vogue style of her more recent work. Sonically comparable to Lady Gaga, Hanari provides a refreshing response to making queer-coded music: “Queer-coded is identifiable with me. I think it is an alternative space, I am queer, my inspirations are queer. It is a reprieve from the patriarchy.” This is yet another example of Hanari’s candidness which lends itself to the composition of her writing and the liberating space she creates for her listeners.
Hanari expresses herself, not only through music that is an act of resistance, but through fashion. Her image amplifies the overall branding of her music and allows her to connect with fans online, “I love dressing up, experimenting. I went to Japan to perform and was really into Japanese fashion. I got into gyaru, the 2000s, Western inspired Japanese fashion. It really fit my own style!” In discussion about musical influences, she credits Marina, formerly known as Marina and the Diamonds, for informing her 2010s sound, as well as for being a good role model; “It is so easy to pander to the mainstream, but it is brave to write about real shit. Not in a parasocial way, I do not believe in idolizing artists.” Hanari poses valid questions about fame, making it clear that she is passionate about singing and songwriting, that the money and fame are not what drives her.
Photos by Hanari
By now, we are all wondering if an album is in our midst after the iconic drop of “GIRL SO DUMB” this Friday, but Hanari gets real about the process behind making an album. “Now, I am trying to focus on a linear brand. I have worked with different producers, and I love collaborating, but with an EP or an album, it is a commitment to a genre. I do not want to be put in a box, but I am making things happen, I am working towards full length projects.” With that in mind, the future is bright, with a new single release, and the endless possibilities of what Hanari has in store, especially now that she has geared towards an image and style that really excites and inspires her. Pre-save “GIRL SO DUMB” and follow @hanarimusic on socials for immediate updates.
Find everything Hanari here.
