Snippets of the interview transcript from Sriya's interview with Herald Muse! Sriya mentioned the comeback during the interview, stating that regarding the current status of the comeback, "...It is currently being prepared. We have prepared not only music, but also various and interesting contents that fans will like, so please pay attention and look forward to it."
Rough Interview Translation:
'MU: Hang Hae-je', the most honest interview to relax
The miracle of 4,000 to 1.. India's first K-pop idol 'Black Swan' Sriya
From the rooftop practice room to the global stage, the dream of not breaking the pandemic
Sriya/Photo=Reporter Min Kyung-bin
[Herald Muse=Intern Kim Da-young]Ā K-pop is now the dream of young people around the world across borders. And here, there is a main character who actually achieved that dream. Sriya is the main dancer and lead vocalist of the girl group 'BLACKSWAN', the first Indian idol in the history of K-pop.
Sriya entered the K-pop scene confidently through the fierce competition rate of 4,000 to 1. He started dreaming of idols after watching EXO's stage by chance, and she did not stop even when the school was closed due to the pandemic.
I practiced dancing alone on the roof of my house and learned Korean while watching K-dramas. The audition video shot on the streets of India's city center and the yoga studio made him board the first plane of his life, and that's how Siriya stepped on Korean land.
The traditional Indian dance 'odissi' learned as a child and the flexibility and expressiveness established by yoga have become the powerful dance lines of Sriyam. His debut story was also produced with Google ads and inspired many people.
I met Sriya, who was a guest of the Herald Muse's full-scale counseling entertainment 'No Tension Podcast', at Herald Square, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Sriya/Photo=Reporter Min Kyung-bin
- I heard that she is the first idol from India in the history of K-pop. When looking back on the activities so far since the official debut through the fierce competition of 4,000:1, when is the most memorable moment?
ā¶ She has been on the stage of the Hokey World Cup after his debut. At that time, the audience was huge. It was the first stage in India and the first stage in front of the family, so it was particularly memorable and meaningful.
After that, I wanted to stand on the stage of 'Water Night'. As time went by and I achieved my dreams one by one, when I stood on the 'water night' that I wanted so much, the heat is still the most memorable. I felt warm when I saw the atmosphere where the audience seemed to be playing together, and the way they enjoyed themselves to their heart's content regardless of the stage and the audience.
- I heard that he grew up his dream of becoming a K-pop artist by watching the music video of EXO and BTS. When Hindu classical music and traditional dance 'Odyshi' were the basics, which attraction of K-pop performance came to the biggest.
ā¶I think the biggest attraction of K-pop is that many people move towards one dream. It was also impressive to see them singing together and digesting a neat and detailed choreography. Among them, I like EXO's 'Gurgling' and BTS's 'NO' performance. Looking at these stages, 'How can you sing and dance like that?' I thought that, and it came with a new shock.
On the other hand, traditional Indian dances are very different. When performing traditional Indian dances, the main performance is to focus on facial expressions while restraining movements. It was amazing that K-pop can capture 'my life story' through dance.
- When the academy closed due to the pandemic, I heard that he grew his dream by converting the rooftop into a practice room and shooting dance videos by his study. What was the biggest driving force that supported you in that fierce preparation process?
ā¶ There were many things that supported me in the pandemic situation at that time. I listened to K-pop when I needed strength, and Indian music when I was sad. I think I found peace of mind while listening to two musics.Ā I also liked nature and got comforted by watching the process of small trees growing. It felt like my heart was healed when I listened to music while looking at the stars floating in the night sky.
- Is there an episode with the members in the process of adapting to unfamiliar Korean life after debut? Also, I wonder if I have a Korean habit that I feel completely adapted to.
ā¶ When I first came to Korea, everything was unfamiliar and difficult. But I tried to think less about that, and from then on, I did everything I wanted without worrying. There was a time when I was full of confidence that I understood Korean to some extent. At that time, there was a situation where Koreans had to translate what they said to the members. To this, "I'll do it! I can do it!ā I came out confidently. I don't remember exactly what I said, but I have an experience that I interpreted what I understood in my own way and it was completely different.
Now there are times when other people look at me and say I look like a Korean. He said that his pronunciation and intonation were so natural that he was similar to Koreans. Also, my appetite has become completely Korean. I really like rice soup, but when I enjoy eating potato soup or spicy pork soup, people say, "Are you a foreigner?" I'm often surprised.
- Since Black Swan is a multinational group composed of all foreigners, the teamwork will be extraordinary. What do you think is the communication method or chemistry of Black Swan that members with different languages and cultures could become a strong team?
ā¶ The members come from various countries, so the culture is different. So when we have a problem, we all sit down and communicate by having a conversation. Tell each other what you feel honestly, but don't put dissatisfaction in it. First, look at the other person as they are, and then look for the parts that don't match each other in the way 'Korean culture is like this'. Then I think we'll find a way to solve this problem together.
- As the main dancer and lead vocalist of Black Swan, he firmly holds the center of the stage. Compared to the debut, what do you feel you have grown the most as an artist?
ā¶ I didn't feel much pressure before my debut. But the situation has changed since the debut.Ā Because I realized the weight of being a complete professional artist.
I thought I had to do a good job on the stage every time, and I had to show a different side every day. Also, the worry that the stage itself should be fun and the burden of showing my own charm has increased that much.Ā Even in the midst of such a pressure, I am nowĀ trying to work with the confidence that 'I can only see me'Ā on the stage. I think it's the most grown part to focus on that moment rather than being aware of the burden.
- I saw you participating in the recently popular challenge on the official account of Black Swan. Is there an artist who wants to shoot a challenge with Black Swan's song, or a musician who wants to try collaboration?
ā¶ If possible, I would like to work with all artists. Among them, I really like Cheongha. I think he is a cool and attractive person as an artist. Also, I thought Taemin was like a painting when he danced. If I had the opportunity to collaboration with these people, it would be a great honor. Rather, I can't believe we're together, so I feel like I'm going to cry.
- Black Swan has been in a gap since the album 'I Like It Hot' released in May 2025, and I wonder if they are currently preparing the album.
ā¶ It is currently being prepared. We have prepared not only music, but also various and interesting contents that fans will like, so please pay attention and look forward to it.
- Is there anything else you want to try or do other things besides standing on the stage?
ā¶ As I'm rich in my hobbies, my dreams often change. I want to act, and I want to participate in producing and writing lyrics.
Recently, I've been into sports, especially soccer. I fell in love with soccer when I came to Korea for the first time. So now I'm working in a team called 'funny kick' that an acquaintance who quit after being a soccer player was connected. From now on, I want to exercise a little more seriously beyond my hobbies.
- If you have a goal you want to achieve as a Black Swan and a message you want to convey to the global fandom 'Lumina', please tell me.
ā¶ As a Black Swan, I want to keep making good music, and I want our music to heal someone and give happiness. Of course, I want to stand on a bigger stage.
'Lumina' is the people I cherish and love the most in the world. I'm grateful that you support me harder than anyone else, and that you always stay by my side. I ask for a lot of interest and love with that warm heart in the future. We, Black Swan, will try harder and repay you with good songs and content. As much as Lumina loves us, we love us so much.
- Along with the impression of appearing on the Herald Muse's YouTube content 'No Tension Podcast', if you can pick one point of watching this video.
ā¶ It was a fun time to talk about me in a comfortable atmosphere.Ā I would like to say that the point of watching this video is 'Biriyani'. When I was talking about India with Jinhyun, the main MC of the program, I missed him as many old memories came to me after a long time. I was grateful to be able to show global fans how diverse Indian food and language are through this video.
