: The title refers to Hwasa's baptismal name, Maria. She uses this persona to address herself, offering comfort against the harsh criticism she faced during her rise to fame.
: Hwasa took home Best Dance Performance – Solo at the 2020 MAMA for "María," proving her dominance as a soloist. : The title refers to Hwasa's baptismal name, Maria
: During this season, she also performed with Jessi, showcasing their chemistry as part of the "Refund Sisters" project. : During this season, she also performed with
: By late 2020, Time magazine noted that "María" left the most "searing impression" of any solo release that year. The Year-End Spotlight: December 2020 The track is more than just a dance
Released on June 29, 2020, as the lead single of her first extended play, was a cultural phenomenon. The track is more than just a dance song; it is a raw, introspective look at Hwasa's own mental health and the weight of public scrutiny.
By , "María" had solidified Hwasa as a "triple threat" on the awards circuit. Just days before the mid-December period, she delivered one of the year's most iconic performances at the 2020 Mnet Asian Music Awards (MAMA) on December 6.
The following article examines the significance of and her transformative solo era defined by the hit single "María," specifically looking back at the peak of its popularity in late 2020. The Legend of "María": Hwasa’s Vulnerable Anthem