The Reason Cheska Left FIESTAR

The Reason Cheska Left FIESTAR

Credits: RHYTHM.CONNECTION CHESKA INTERVIEW
Full interview posted below.

There have been tons of rumours about why Cheska left Fiestar, a girl group seeming to rise in popularity. Was she having conflicts with the other group members or maybe the company? Did she want to go solo? Maybe the responsibility of training with the group was too much for lady still so young. No one really knew the answer. That is why I want to give a shout out to RHYTHM.CONNECTION for taking the time to interview the wonderful Cheska!

After reading the interview, please let us know what you think about why Cheska left Fiestar. Here are some of our thoughts.


-One reason for Cheska leaving may be the transformation of Fiestar as a group. Cheska describes herself as a hip-hop/R&B artist. Fiestar definitely debuted as a hip-hop style girl group with the release of Vista and then with the banging "We Don't Stop". However after that, they seemed to be changing into a more girly, cute, and sexy group with "I Don't Know". Their new comeback "One More" also seems like more of a sexy concept rather than hip-hop.

-Cheska did not have much lines. Cheska may have realized that going solo may be a better route for herself as she did not have much opportunity to show off her amazing vocals, especially her rapping. Yezi seems to be the main rapper of Fiestar even though Cheska was recruited for her amazing rapping skills.

-Cheska says herself that she thought she was ready for the big stage but she actually was not because she is not too good with rules. She is only 22 so maybe she misses the normal life which she cannot live with all the responsibilities of being in Fiestar.

No matter what, Cheska seems to be happy and that is all that matters! Definitely expect to see and hear more of Cheska in the future!

Those were just some of our initial thoughts! Please let us know what you think in the comments below!

INTERVIEW

For those who aren't familiar with who you are, please introduce yourself briefly.

My name is Francesca Minji An and I go by the name of Cheska. Born on March 11,1992 in Birmingham,AL. I was a member of The K-Pop Idol Group Fiestar.

How long have you been doing music for?
I sang since I was 7 (Disney songs lol) and started freestyling (danced) when I was around 10, came to Korea when I was 18. Now I’m 22 so…. 15 years.

What kind of artist would you consider yourself?

Hmm…first of all, I’m self-taught. I guess I’d like to say i’m a hip-hop/R&B artist? I never got the chance to share my music with the world, but I will in the future. I’m going for hip-hop/R&B because that’s what I’m good at.

For those who are familiar with you, you were previously a member of LOEN Entertainment’s first girl group FIESTAR. You were in charge of rapping and vocals in the group. Please tell us a little about your experience with the group and your training experience up to your debut.

It was interesting. It’s different to what I thought it’d be like. It was a good experience though. The hardest thing was that I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t cause I’m just not too good with rules. But I tried real hard and I think made it through the debut.

What inspired you to go to Korea to pursue music initially?

I posted videos of me freestyling when I was like 15, 16, and 17. And then I got a call from a company, and the rest is history!

Now that you've experienced what it takes to make it in Korea, what has changed, as far as your perspective on that world goes?

The thing is I’m moving on because my dream is on a whole different path now. It was a hard choice to make but I’d like to be myself from now on, just making dope music with friends to share. Right now, I feel like a room without a roof. Feels amazing!

Was it challenging to keep your personality intact with your role in the group?

A little bit ~ but it was fun and hard at the same time but more funnier than hard. I think my ‘Acting’ has improved though. Good stuff haha.

Any insight that you can share to those considering entering that market, whether as a trainee, singer etc.?

The only thing I’m gonna say is that time goes by very quickly. One day I’m 18, and the next I’m 22, just like that. Just make sure that it’s the right path for your future. What ever makes you happy!

Your thoughts on plastic surgery in Korea and especially in KPOP?

Plastic surgery is done by self-decision but I think it’s wrong if a person’s forced to go through the process of plastic surgery. In my perspective, it’s the MUSIC people wanna hear. The looks aren’t important for a singer, but if you’re pretty and you’re a singer, then that’s a huge plus. It’s a face and body your parents gave you, so what I prefer is just a “little” or natural beauty.

Name one memorable moment during your time as a KPOP star, and why.

I was so sleepy while shooting the music video for ‘Vista’ (FIESTAR debut single), that the director (a woman) had to change my clothes for me. It was so embarrassing when I heard about it the next day…I was so sorry haha.

So a lot of fans want to know – was there any particular motive or time-sensitive issue or something of the like that played a part in your departure from FIESTAR?

The reason I made the choice to depart from the group was like I said…mainly it was because I wanted to make music. For me, music is first and popularity comes second depending on the reaction. I want to make music I like. I’ve noticed that music’s more real and attractive when I write my own stuff in it. I like to think that music is a part of me. So the main reason is because I wanna make “my” music.

Do you keep in touch with your former members or anyone you’ve met while you were with the group?

I do, But I’m not a phone person so not often. I’m more of a computer person.

You’re very good friends with Lil Boi and Louie from Geeks. Tell us what it’s like being friends with these ‘hot topic’ rappers.

I learn a lot from them. They help me a lot. They’re funny and oh so kind. They respect me and the music I make. They give me hope and strength. They motivate me. I always say “I give up” ,“fail”and LB is like NOOO!!!! Always tellin me I need to stop saying that because that’s just not a good habit and that it’s just negative, and we all know negativity is not good. Thanks to LB and L, my Korean has improved a lot. Sometimes when I use a word wrong they don’t fix it and just pick on me to where I just look like a total idiot haha. When I hang out with them, I get to meet a variety of people, and that’s always fun.

You are unofficially in the ranks of those who’ve left their respective groups to pursue other things, including After School’s Bekah and Kahi, KARA’s Nicole and Jiyoung, Wonder Girls’ Sohee and Sunmi, and many others. Are there other things you aspire to pursue now that you have a bit more freedom?

Making music and sharing it with the world~ also meeting a variety of people to work with. I also want to travel the world. You only live once, so I’m just wanting to live happy ~ doing what I love.

What have you been up to since leaving the group?

Just making music with friends and writing lyrics, going on vacations, chillin. Fun fun haha.

Can fans expect to see any new material from you soon? Will you be releasing both music in Korean and English?

I’m not too sure about soon but hopefully I’ll be releasing some before the end of next year. The lyrics are gonna be in Korean and English. Mixed.

As far as music is concerned, who gives you your inspiration?

Everything and everyone inspires me but if I had to choose an artist it’d be straight up Aaliyah. I love her.

What are your five most played songs currently?

Tyga – Senile, Aaliyah – 4 page letter, Jhene Aiko – Vapors, August Alsina – Get ya money, Katy Perry – Dark Horse

Name any artist you would like to collaborate with, and why.

Euro from YoungMoney, because he’s dope. Me singing and Euro rapping on the same beat, that’d be awesome. I love YoungMoney…the only music me and my friends listened to in highschool.

What is your guilty pleasure currently? It can be anything!

This is hard..hmm….eating fried crickets! My grandma here in Korea fried me crickets…and I want more haha. At first it was gross just having the thought to eating it. But it was yummy! Sorry Jiminy Cricket. Omg i’ma watch Jiminy Cricket after I finish this AH! Sounds fun.

When you have spare time, what do you do for fun?
Riding rollercoasters. Playing with my puppy. I love animals so I like zoos. Practice writing lyrics in Korean. Making melodies on beats. Watching friends make beats. Playing Sudden attack and Mabinogi. Internet surfing and Youtubing. Reading books (very rare). Watching music videos and listening to music. I like tanning but I don’t know where to tan in Korea. And I don’t do tanning beds. I like driving around town but I don’t have a car in Korea. This is when I miss America…. I miss my car *sniff*

Name one thing that fans may not already know about you.
That I can make music, and I rap for fun. I don’t like being called a rapper. I’m a hip hop RnB singer. I grew up listening to rap and it’s fun to rap but that does not make me a rapper haha.

Any advice for aspiring artists?

Have confidence in what you do. Without confidence you’ll never know what you’re capable of. Don’t be scared of taking risks, because you never know what’ll happen if you do take the risk. Something good might happen ~ kinda dangerous but hey, you only live once.

Any final words for the readers?

Thank you for supporting Fiestar and I love every one of y’all! I’m currently working on my first mixtape. It’s gonna be dope so look forward to it. Not sure when it’ll be out but hopefully, it’ll be out by the end of next year. Much love MWAH~! <3 thank you rhythm connection for this wonderful interview.