"eSNa (에스나)'s first meeting with MAMAMOO and the start of her career" | ep.010 | NSC HIGHLIGHTS

I talk about how my career started, my first meeting with MAMAMOO (마마무), and giving MAMAMOO their first song, 'Don't Be Happy' ('행복하지마').
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[@Letsdoitgood]

I had a feeling that Esna wrote Don't Be Happy. Definitely her vibe and is honestly one of my favourite songs

[@doyoulikejennie]

sameee

[@mrchickie3809]

She did! You can check out all the songs she wrote for Mamamoo on Esna's wikipedia page :))

[@Bongi344]

She did! It's on Wikipedia ^^

[@kitchiebatucan2672]

Wow did she really?? I only listened to don't be happy no and solar and wheeinie did amazing I didn't know the person behind it is just as much!

[@keirorin]

Esna pretty much created Mamamoo’s ‘retro-classy’ age. We owe so much of that concept to her and her songs. I remember when I first heard Gentleman holy shit that was a great song EDIT: can y'all chill i said that they wouldn't have their CONCEPT without her songs, i didn't say she MADE mamamoo please learn to read

[@cacaktuaaa5695]

*created the songs [not the concepts, dancing... etc.]

[@sebastyann123]

mmm no, don't get it twisted. She created a great song bc she's a great artist and that's it.

[@kuyenblade1646]

Created mamamoo? Just the song okay.. Don't go too far..🙂

[@layloo5244]

Yall shouldnt give so much status to a songwriter.

[@alexmiller4755]

He said "Mamamoo's retro-classy' age" not Mamamoo yall. Please read carefully.

[@maximcute33]

Oh wow! Don't be happy was eSNa's song? I love that song! You are a great song writer..

[@stardiyanti9808]

Me too, one of song that I really love 😍😍

[@plzchooseanid]

Oh my god. She literally wrote the best two songs that I like the most out of all of Mamamoo's albums. Words don't come easy and Don't be happy. I totally get why she said at the beginning that the producer said if she gave the song away, she's basically giving away her identity. I feel so bad for her.

[@thanhnguyen-ht2zv]

Basically, esna started the entire mamamoo jazz era. Btw plz play the song on guitar. I cry when u said nvm

[@AlexDoesntArt]

Esna you’ve GOT to show us a guitar version of that songggg OMGGGGGG make her see this comment IM DESPERATE

[@arieskyz]

Don’t Be Happy is one of the songs I put on repeat because it’s that good. I hope you get to release your song from 10 years ago eventually!

[@rhonchee]

Retro music was my attachment to Mamamoo. Ahh Oop is one of my Faves.. Esna has a powerful voice and has range but korean(no offense) have that mentality that you have to look like a model before you sing and RBW was in the middle of Protecting Esna or listen to Esna's hater. Unfortunately they listen to Esna's hater to not loose fans. Knetz should listen to their ears not by their eyes. And that time Esna's body was wonderful together with baby hwasa. Esna is beautiful to...

[@shinluis]

Same, I actually stopped listening to Mamamoo after decalcomanie because i absolutely LOVED that classy, jazzy retro sounds that, by then, was Mamamoo’s signature style (no other kpop group had or has a definite, actual signature style like that) and it was wonderful. When every release after that felt different and kinda random I just stopped listening to them. Looking back the “new” songs have their own qualities to them and some are pretty good on their own, but nothing gets even close to the stuff they had when esna had them do piano man and ahh oop.

[@h.k-v4r]

Then Do all non-idol singers look like models? I Know Korean obsessed appearance but non-idol just singer, we don't expect pretty face, body. you think eSNa is not popular in korea cus she is not pretty? pls I know she's a good singer but that's not how this industry works. It's funny that you guys say k-netz blah, International fan also toxic. there is no difference. Even though the subject of criticism is different.

[@shinluis]

아홉은하수 that’s exactly how the industry works in korea. Or are you going to show me many young, talented, overweight singers doing live presentations on Mnet? ‘Cause I’ve been sorely missing those, if thats the case. Isnt that where very popular, talented artists promote? Esna said herself she was demanded to hit a certain weight number before presenting live by the show’s producers and her own company. What’s that then? Korean people going online (knetz as you like to call them) dont “blah,” they literally harass and bully artists to death commenting on their looks. Two, just last year. Is this what you meant by blah?

[@h.k-v4r]

@@shinluis the company doesn't wanna gamble I guess, I get that singers who aren't idols also receive that standard. but don't say that if they are overweight Korean don't listen to their music. When there were many ballads on Korean charts in the 2000s there are many singers, not a pretty face, body like BMK, Big mama, TURTLES etc. And now Because idols make more money, they probably don't try to raise other general singers. Are antenna music or akmu not getting people's attention? And mamamoo get a lot of hate comment on twitter right? I don’t know the situation abroad, but blackpink Jennie, J Park get lots of hate comment hmm.

[@shinluis]

@@h.k-v4rExactly. What's the gamble? The gamble is that if they aren't hot, skinny and good looking, the chances for them to be popular, regardless of how good their singing is, will be very uncertain. In other words, for practical purposes, that IS a requirement for success in korean music industry, be it a spoken requirement or not. (And from what many idols say, in-house, weight requirements are very clearly stated by their management. Just let Bom eat her goddamn corn ffs) Again, why do you think the pretty, model-like music artists get more money and more fame? You're blatantly ignoring this very on-the-nose culture. Big Mama was marketed and well known to be, very specifically, an exception, not a norm. AKMU are both very beautiful and skinny, so I don't know why you decided to mention them, they still fit the mold to a tee. I don't get your last paragraph. How does Mamamoo getting hate comments on twitter nullifies and/or justifies this persisting, strong korean culture of harassing and bullying their own music artists because of their looks?

[@linhaslynn9526]

I really hope you (Esna and Mamamoo) can work together again and be able to make the best song in the future 👍 I lOVE MAMAMOO SO MUCH ❤️💯😘 I love you Esna 😍 👏🤝👍💪✋

[@chadroshy8428]

Outside of RBW you meant? RBW did her dirty. Burn the company. Save Mamamoo & the other artists

[@cacaktuaaa5695]

last time she met them was in kcon19la, she posted it in her insta: instagram.com/p/B1dhHiGh2Q8/

[@vn4934]

I had no idea it was by you... This song was so good... Mamamoo really did well... Thank you soooo much for giving it to them..

[@cnf7285]

Damn. RBW really did you dirty, I swear. Watching these videos you've released really is an eye opener to just how shady and difficult the road to one's dream can be. Makes me wonder if this is a key factor in the way Solar posts her songs she makes for Moomoo's every year on her birthday. You got way too much talent for RBW to handle, I'm glad you got out. Looking forward to your upcoming works and now hoping Mamamoo gets out as well. Stay strong, Queen! Let that talent of yours make your star shine so bright that RBW comes to you *begging* for some stardust!!! Himnaeyeo eSNa!!!

[@layloo5244]

Isnt it hwasa who releases a song on her birthday? Not solar?

[@cnf7285]

@@layloo5244 Solar has released a song on her birthday yearly since she wrote "I Love You Too." She makes and releases it on her birthday and they're always love songs to Moomoo's. Her latest being "I'm Your Fan," telling Moomoo's that she's *our* fan.

[@layloo5244]

CN F i didnt realise they were released on her bday. Thanks for telling me😊🙏🏽

[@cnf7285]

@@layloo5244 No problem~ She usually releases it, then RBW sometimes has the others add on to it (like ILYT) and has it on the next album. I'm wondering why they didn't add on to "I'm Your Fan," since it seemed like they stalled a little on adding it to an album 🤔

[@slalomie]

Damn it, why wasn’t that guitar in tune 🤣 I loved “Don’t Be Happy,” so cool that you composed it. It would’ve had a totally different vibe with your voice. Did it originally have the brass instruments? Also, did you come up with that guitar riff in “Ahh Oop”? It has that addictive 60s Blues rock feel to it.

[@Bongi344]

I think they bought the Ahh Oop instrumental from somebody else (it's on her other video)...Esna write the melody part (?) Cmiiw

[@charm5178]

Jason W Ahh Oop instrumental track sounds like 1957 song Susie Q by Dale Hawkins kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnLXh2qEia6nb8k The Rolling Stones and Creedence Clearwater Revival covered it in the 60s.

[@armella.h]

Omgggggggg seriously??? You wrote don't be happy??? Girl you're a genius. Are you still writing songs? I'm gonna check all of your songs. Don't be happy is one of my ult fav songs by mamamoo. You really deserve to be one of the top k soloist! Your voice is so strong and beautiful too!

[@iamkathymon]

I've been following her since she started out as one of the OG KZbin musicians. It's honestly so sad that Korea has treated her so differently and Esna honestly deserves so much more. She's so talented! Girl I hope one day things will change up for the good!

[@bimotok757]

When you start a career, you must make sacrifice, because you are nothing. At first time she thought she was good at everything (song writer, singer). But if only few people knew, it is useless. I glad she changed he mind. Korea obsess with visual, but it is not impossible that person who not fit in their beauty standard can not success. Look at JYP, he is legend now.

[@abearicano]

Don't Be Happy is an amazing track. Not surprised that it was written by eSNa. If only that guitar was in tune...

[@이연재-s4c]

행복하지마가 에스나님 노래였구나ㅠㅠ 노래 주고싶지 않았던 거 너무 이해돼요... 아훕도 그렇고 정말 억울하셨을 거 같아요.. 그래도 좋은 노래 주셔서 감사드려요. 에스나님도 마마무도 꽃길만 걷자🌸🌷🌸🌷

[@cahyanimabrukahaisa1409]

OMG I LOVE THAT SONG SO MUCH!! You're talented singer and producer, love your music colour

[@facundoojeda6971]

I fall in love when I heard "Don't be happy" for the first time. I hope you give us more wonderful songs sung by you ^^

[@집패드-q1l]

와.. 행복하지마가 에스나님 노래였다니..진짜 대박이다..

[@daniellxnder]

omo it turns out my fav MMM songs in their early era is written by you! T.T hello, wdce, gentleman, don't be happy, ahh oop, all such a jam! you're a jazz goddess and basically a mother for MMM :")

[@Knightwalker727]

OMG same! I really love those songs too, and finding out they were all written by the same person, OMG I guess I know my taste in music now. eSNa's music 🤣

[@eisha2656]

its still in one of my top five mamamoo songs i love it so much

[@jessitha518]

whoaa that's a relief that you choose to stay and thank you for making music. I love your music. and thank you for making mamamoo songs debut era.. if you can in the future I wish you can produce music for mamamoo again ilysm

[@fatimaezzahra620]

omg I love that song !! Who wants Esna to sing her version ?

[@cacaktuaaa5695]

last time she met them was in kcon19la, she posted it in her insta: instagram.com/p/B1dhHiGh2Q8/

[@NJOETV]

It just doesn’t sit right with me that RBW used you to catapult Mamamoo’s career... It just doesn’t... And let’s be blunt here for those of y’all thatwill say that’s not fully true IT BASICALLY IS LOL at this point without Esna’s songs Mamamoo’s whole vibe and concept would not have been created as well as it was for their inception. And that’s just on periodt

[@AsianPopStop]

Yeah, I feel like RBW really exploited her talent. Like they squeezed some music out of her and then tossed her away. It’s incredibly unfair.

[@yur_nthehouse]

아니... 행복하지마가 언니 노래였다구...?!? 아니.... 너무 좋다....ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ

[@massing_august]

I can't believe my favourite girlgroup sang the song written by eSNa. Mindblown.

[@will-wf5wt]

I'm absolutely in love with the songs youve written for MAMAMOO! I hope you guys can collab anywhere in the future again

[@robertabrams8562]

I had no idea that you wrote that song…you’re more baddass that I thought

[@jorangina1304]

I still have high hope that you and mamamoo do a collaboration 🥰

[@gloriamay3850]

Dayum, I really love that jazzy feel from Mamamoo and really miss it. Please please please produce and sing your songs Esna!!! I can’t wait to hear more awesome songs from you.

[@helenacv5401]

Girllll, I'm impressed. The songs that I liked the most "from mamamoo" are yours!! God, you're so talented!! Such beautiful melodies, and also your voice is fucking incredible, I remember liking ahh oop and gentleman right away and always loving it when I listened to your voice. Honestly, fuck the korean music industry, you deserve so much better!!! It's not easy to find a talented singer and song writer like you

[@mirellamoura96]

Esna created Mamamoo’s ‘retro-classy’, oh... my fav concept. You deserved so much better girl ): i'm sorry for being selfish, but thank you.

[@crispypasta]

oh man i wish that guitar wasn't out of tune!! i would love to hear your version of don't be happy :'D

[@kumaruma643]

Esna, you are so talented! I never thought to this day you wrote so many amazing songs! I hope to see more of you and don't sell your best work to anyone lol! It's all yours, and I WANT IT TO BE YOURS ONLY! Hoping to one day hear that song that's been hidden for 10 years soon!

[@kitchiebatucan2672]

*We need esna and mamamoo together again!* say it with me

[@massing_august]

I knew esna from the soundtrack from "The heirs- biting my lower lips" I really thought here voice was phenomenal and still is. I fell in love with her without even seeing her.

[@158marinag7]

Esna what is happening this is the second song you tell us you just had to give to mamamoo how did it happen two times?!

[@alexavj03]

RBW's really horrible work by taking care of their artist😐🙄😒

[@alexfriendarts4165]

RBW sucks at managing and promoting their artists decently. That’s why they invested it all in MAMAMOO the minute they saw the positive reaction of the Korean GP. Vromance (or Esna) didn’t get the same treatment for example, despite the fact that they were as talented. This isn’t Mamamoo’s fault obviously since they only started being involved later on in their careers, but whatever. Hope they won’t renew their contract with RBW in 2021.

[@jankarylle5367]

I hope Esna and MAMAMOO collaborated again cuz it's so powerful and beautiful❤

[@nickraoyj]

Hi Esna, how would you describe your relationship with the MMM girls now? Would you say you all are still friends?

[@shanaweerakoon6609]

Last year she saw them at KCON LA, she referred to them as her ‘babies’ or something on her Instagram, if I remember correctly

[@Gemini_mind]

@@shanaweerakoon6609 yes but i want to hear from her again what's up with her and mamamoo. Yknow that it was not just out of professionalism in front of the cameras.

[@2kavi]

"Hidden gem in kpop"

[@YBlvr]

I haven’t followed Mamamoo in a long time, one of the reasons being I liked them for the sound they debuted with. I should’ve known you were behind that sound because Ahh Oop was absolutely 100% your song in every way! I’ll definitely continue to support you from now on 😊

So, you are the reason why I like Mamamoo! Don't be happy is one of the best songs ever written, along with gentleman and Love comes ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@vuongduong7012]

Don’t be happy is one of, if not my favourite MAMAMOO song, I’d love to hear what it was originally intended to sound like! Please record a version!

[@celestelee3408]

You wrote all my favourite mamamoo's songs Esna!!

[@marcie557]

don’t be happy is one of my fav songs! it does have your niche in it. lot of my fav mmm songs are either composed by esna or cosmic girl, i live for female songwriters! i hope you’ll find the right timing to release that song you’ve been keeping for 10 years, can’t wait to see you get big

[@patuniazol6551]

"Don't be happy" has always been my favorite Mamamoo song, I still binge it on Spotify sometimes

[@dr2drm88]

Love the retro vibes you created for mamamoo. Keep doing things for yourself. You're an awesome writer/composer and vocalist!

[@2ndKidd]

Dont Be Happy has been on my playlist to this day. Esna really has all the bops, my goodness. The talent you have, girl!

[@moorunwheerun4649]

yep. up to this day, don't be happy is still on repeat on my Playlist

[@midnight_bee]

I'm so sad, I'm getting confused 😕 I'm a moomoo!! But hearing about esna's experience makes me sad :'(

[@kuyenblade1646]

No need to confius. If you really a real Moomoo, stan Mamamoo harder. Don't get drowning in this issues. 🙂 We never know exactly what really happened between esna & RBW. Who's wrong & who's right. We just heard this issue from esna side only.

[@nina-up8qh]

Don’t be happy is one of my favourite songs of all time. I never ever get sick of it.

[@juunataku]

So are you saying I basically love all eSNa songs??? OMG I can hear eSNa doing Mr MMO too

[@sydd5094]

Don't Be Happy is actually one of my favorite songs! Hope you release more of your songs

[@ChoyJoy]

Came across your channel by accident, I respect your hard work and the things you’ve been through. Wishing you continued success. I want to move to Korea someday, I’m old and i would never fit in ( but for different reasons) - so I can understand your struggles. You are a beautiful soul, remember that always, don’t listen to the outside chatter that tells you differently.

[@ikra291]

I knew Esna wrote Don't be Happy but its really nice to hear her background about it! One of my favourite songs and really helped to lay the foundation for Mamamoo - thank you Esna.

[@alexisjung2207]

Esna ,I want you to be happy whatever you do

[@tteokbokkimbap1272]

esna, if u feel like releasing ur songs that u wrote even from 10 years ago, please do so. the world needs more of ur music 😊

[@peoplediewhenising]

Don’t Be Happy and Ahh Oop really do sound like sibling songs and it just tells me how well you know your style because those two sound so unique and specific to your music. 🤩

[@leadelunz]

Wow that songs was in my favorite list

[@riasiadollison6249]

I’m so early😁😁😁

[@liia6700]

I hope Esna can work with MMM outside rbw cause they are a power collab!!

[@josephmallozzi9491]

Great story. Like you said, it's amazing how those split second decisions can send your life and career off in totally unexpected directions.

[@Memequeen89]

Once you said it was don’t be happy I just knew. It’s one of my favorite mamamoo songs and it’s so interesting hearing the bckstory

[@mariachristi207]

You're an artist and you love every single song you wrote and I find that cute :3 You're so damn amazing and charming, I can only hope for the best to come after all those hardships you have to endure!

[@wereonlyhuman3289]

When are you going to release the secret song? I am super excited 😊

[@lilkoko500]

i have SO much respect for you esna!!

[@laramiaizz]

Is that friend Ailee?

[@Ninjaa2236]

Okay, so when’s that ONE song coming up sis.

[@liia6700]

Don't be happy is a whole ass song I listen to it everyday deadass. I wanna hear esna version plzzz

[@shany0608]

esna has created the retro concept which is now a huge trend nowadays

[@4x4ever3]

Word dont come easy also ur song right?

[@phira360]

I thought that was by pws, but maybe they worked together

[@fatinhaaosol]

I believe it is written by MoonByul.

[@4x4ever3]

Okay i just check out to make sure. It said that additional lyric written by Esna. Nice sexy lyrics there!

[@abbywhitlock8351]

so talented

[@ArsPoetica]

Wow! I can't believe you wrote that song! Bumkey brought me to MAMAMOO and I fell in love with MAMAMOO because of that song! I thought it was Bumkey's song (whom I also love). I fell in love with you and your work when I saw you collab with MAMAMOO and I explored more of your work. I can't believe you were actually the root of all my love for you and MAMAMOO 👏💓 Please release more and keep writing. Even if another artist sings it, I love YOUR work!

[@robertlhughes9209]

It's funny because I fell in love with Mamamoo, but fell in love with eSNa because of Mamamoo. It's painful learning her RBW experience was crap! But knowing RBW's track record, I can't say I'm surprised!

[@뚠똔-z8t]

한국어 자막도 달아주세여ㅠㅠ

[@esnatheperson]

자막 올렸습니다 ^^ 많이 쉐어 해주세요~~

[@nikenkriswara1117]

I love that don't be happy!!!!! It wasss so good!!

[@un0318]

oh fuck i didnt know esna wrote that song that song is literally one of my favorite song like of ALL TIMES. OF ALL TIMES gosh gurl keep doing you you got talents

[@lluviach6745]

Puff don't be happy is deadass in the top 5 mamamoo's best song and it could only be written by Esna, it's totally her vibe it's so fcking good

[@imnotcool4446]

Serious talk, Don't Be Happy is my FAVOURITE Mamamoo's song TILL DATE. PERIOD.

[@dmpls9328]

❤️❤️❤️🔥

[@punyafiwa]

I love hearing you fluently switching between American-English and Korean

[@woozihae]

OMG YOU WROTE DON'T BE HAPPY TOO?? sksksk 🥺❤ loveee that song (pretty much every mamamoo song lol)

[@afterglow1539]

id like to see you play dont be happy pleasee we'd like to see your own twist on it.

[@chitrinh5584]

Esna, You are so talented! Ahh Oop, Don't be happy are the songs i love and the era i always hope Mamamoo would come back to. But now knowing that Esna made them and she had left, I guess that era would never come around then. What a shame. For me, those are the songs that set Mamamoo apart from the rest of Kpop.

[@이경영-j2h]

마마무 팬으로써 이노래 참좋아했는데 얘기들어보니 참 속상하셨겠네요. 미안한마음도 들고요.

[@kareenguilloux1991]

WoW I love that song. I didn't know anything about Esna but the more I hear about her & the more I listen to her speaking the more intrigued I become. She is amazingly talented. I want to hear more of her singing & listen to more of her music.

[@Lion-cu1hl]

Esna credited as a writer and composer. Here's another link mamamoo.fandom.com/wiki/Don%27t_Be_Happy

[@nmirzaie4343]

Oh really? I just love don't be happy so much I still listen to it thank you unnie

[@mohammadwaris3576]

I'm so sorry you had to go through that tough time but I still want you to do a collab with mamamoo again please

[@kamkamtolik9870]

I will listen to Don't Be Happy till the death. it's my number 1 favorite track of all the time!!

[@BAYAN823]

wow I really didn't know that you wrote Don't be happy .. I love this's song It's really amazing you are really talented artist

[@youngwang97]

Holy shit. YOU wrote "Don't be Happy"?? That is still my favourite song, to this day

[@originaldaikon536]

ohhh! don't be happy is one of my favorite songs to date! like, it's so good! I really want to listen to more of your music!!

[@mszanellah]

I love don't be happy so much that I sticked to mamamoo ;-;

[@kimchi2698]

Heeeyyyyy

[@dreaan7831]

I love your work

[@daludna]

Don't be happy IS A MASTERPIECE! and Esna wrote it, wow I'm amazed

[@MMMMMM-wd7fu]

Damn. It's heartbreaking to work so hard, be proud of your creation, and not even get credit. ❤️

[@adrianus2526]

And I'm still listening to it. Thank you, Esna.