Pop idol wins new fans in China

"It gave me an opportunity to move to China and gain audience not only in China, but in other countries as well. So, I think that was definitely a significant point in my career," he says.

After INTO1 disbanded in April 2023, Hashizume pursued a solo career, releasing Chinese cover songs and bilingual original tracks.

"I actually really like being here and I wanna keep on doing this," he says.

"Definitely, the opportunity here is very different from the opportunities I would have in America, just because I think that I'm very different in this industry. And I try to use that edge as my factor to move forward and up."

He adds that his exposure to the Chinese music industry introduced him to countless new songs and genres he had never encountered while growing up, adding that he particularly gravitates toward slower, ballad-style pop.

"It has definitely opened up a whole new genre and a whole new way of writing and singing music," he says.

For instance, he notes that the signature falsetto-chest voice transitions in Chinese pop hooks has helped him better understand how to better use his falsetto technique.

He also highlights the cinematic nature and frequent use of orchestral elements in Chinese pop music, as well as the uniquely poetic density of metaphors in Chinese lyrics — a distinctive artistic trait rarely seen in Western music.

Personally, as someone who grew up in diverse cultures, Hashizume prioritizes melody and sound over language barriers. He approaches singing as though playing an instrument, focusing on his voice's musicality rather than its lyrical quality to forge cross-cultural connections with listeners.