New York City’s K-Pop queen, SNIX is our shining light this Lunar New Year season. [Cover photo: @e____9o / @van______anh]
Thotyssey: Hi SNIX! How was your Valentine’s Day?
SNIX: It was cute! The night before going into Valentine’s Day, I spend with some of my friends. And then we went raving at Knockdown Center until 5am! So I spent VDay in my bed watching my K-Dramas and eating chocolates by myself, This year, I chose myself as my valentine!
Delicious! What’s your favorite K-Drama?
Right now l just started The Art of Sarah; it’s a murder mystery thriller! Honestly I love K-Dramas that have action, romance, or some comedy. But I typically love this plot because it’s a con artist who was murdered! So it’s been pretty interesting so far!
Are you from Korea, or were you born here or elsewhere?
I am Korean, which is why my love for K-Pop runs deep. But I was born here in the States — I’m actually from Chicago, Illinois. I moved around a lot growing up, and lived in a lot of different settings: a little bit in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana. But my home is New York City. I decided to move here for college, and I’ve been here for 12 years ever since.
How did you discover drag and become SNIX?
I always knew what drag was, and was so fascinated by the art of drag — especially performance. It wasn’t until I moved to New York in 2014 where I actually really started playing with makeup and hair and fashion, really building my confidence level. Then in 2019, a friend reached out to me and asked if I wanted to perform at a drag show in Brooklyn… and I thought, why not? It is something that I’ve always been doing since I was 3. And sooner or later, SNIX was born.
“SNIX” isn’t just myself or a brand. It is a story, it is a mindset of truly being unapologetically you. And I always say “that’s so SNIX” when opportunities came my way. And I wanted to get into the world of being that diva!
In your opinion, what is it about K-Pop that has not only captured the hearts and minds of people around the world, but also works so well for drag interpretation?
Well to be quite honest, when I first started performing I actually did a lot of K-Pop… and it did not really connect with a lot of people because it wasn’t put on the map yet. Think very early 2018-19, I would say the only other groups that were getting put onto the map globally at that point were BTS, BLACKPINK, and TWICE.
Fast forward to 2026 — now it’s a global phenomenon. New Jeans, Illit, even KATSEYE. I think during the age of Covid where we had so much time on the internet, people fell into the rabbit hole. And once you get stuck on maybe a group or a song, then you truly just can’t get enough.
I think it’s the entire mechanism of K-Pop that people feel so drawn to — from the music videos to the looks to the members, and then eventually the concepts that they drop for their album or their single. You really get taken it into their world, and honestly isn’t that what we do with drug? We create a world for people to try to understand as a performer.
Tell us about your own K-Pop origins… did you perform solo, or were you part of a group? Did you perform original stuff, and put out recordings?
So since I could remember, I always had a big love for K-Pop. I remember begging my mom to go to the small local Korean store to buy the VHS tapes that were shipped from Korea after their recording, and sitting in the living room looking at these groups and these girls dancing… and I just would copy them.
I feel like a lot of my music taste was either K-Pop or just pop growing up, because both worlds are so different. When I first started performing, it was solo; I would get booked, and send my mixes that were K-Pop / pop adjacent. And it wasn’t until 2022 when my best friend Sammy Kim debuted their first K-Pop party in Brooklyn called BIAS NYC; they asked me to be a part of it and perform. It was such a moment. I realized how much K-Pop has changed the world. That energy was indescribable…the screams and reaction was truly unparalleled to what I ever did performing at other events.
As time went on, I ended up gathering a group of friends for a group, and now we are known as KLÍQUE. I will always be a solo artist, but it’s so much fun dancing with friends and doing the K-Pop performances that always drop. We truly are little K-Pop geeks. I haven’t released any of my own music yet… but trust me, TBA very soon!
The animated K-Pop Demon Hunters seems to have really opened a massive window into K-Pop fandom for Gen Alpha. Are you a superfan?
Oh my God, K-Pop Demon Hunters for the WIN! Finally, some K-Pop excellence that has touched the hearts of so many — not only with the song “Golden,” but I think with the entire message of the movie — and song producers’ stories like Ejae — about not giving up on a dream, being rejected from the K-Pop industry because of not “fitting their standard,” and creating your own legacy. A true win for Korean-Americans. For myself, I was very touched and motivated by that. I’m not surprised at all that the world fell in love with this movie.
What are your thoughts on KATSEYE, who you mentioned earlier — the U.S. based “global” hit K-Pop group that was formed after the competition show Dream Academy? They’re maybe a bit polarizing; many folks embrace their talent, but others groan at the “zucchini zucchini” of it all and were critical of their Grammys performance.
I love that there is a girl group that is so diverse and multicultural, especially in the era that we are currently living in. It’s very important to showcase now.
But in my true opinion, it’s a little disappointing to see the girls not have their own control over what they would like to put out. Instead, these big corporations are using these girls for their own revenue. We’ve seen it happen firsthand with NEWJEANS. After watching Dream Academy on Netflix, where we all fell in love with the process of KATSEYE — I think it’s pretty evident that these girls are very talented. And I hope as they continuing their career, they get to showcase that themselves in their own way.
Personally, I don’t like that [zucchini] song, “Internet Girl.” And I stand by that. Do I love KATSEYE? Absolutely. But these girls deserve a chance to showcase their full artistry through their music, without being given material that is for TikTok, or Vitality.
So every two weeks here in Hell’s Kitchen, Wednesday nights at Hush are quite busy! You have the weekly “Commando” no-underwear dance party upstairs, the Naarak Asian / Asian-American party “Slurrrp” downstairs, and the “Hot Issue” K-Pop competition that you host to start the night off! Can you tell us about how this show came to be, and what one can expect to see there?
Yeah, Wednesdays are a hit at Hush! Honestly, there is so much happening these days that I feel so blessed to have been given this opportunity — a safe space to curate such a different performance show at a gay bar, and not to be pigeonholed by the world of drag. As you know, there are so many drag shows that are in Manhattan, but I really wanted this show to really represent the K-Pop fans, who are so talented!
Just like KATSEYE, I really wanted this to be a multicultural and diverse kind of show that anyone is welcome to come and connect with. It was really important — I thought I’d highlight that aspect. Luckily, it has been a big dream of mine to produce my own event and have a residency in the heart of NYC. I was in talks for about two years with DJ Skittlez and Patrick (events manager at Hush). Then finally the right moment came for me to accept this opportunity where I can fully focus, and not do this half-assed.
When you come to a “Hot Issue” show, it is filled with K-Pop fans who are obsessed with K-Pop — girl groups, boy groups, and purely the performance of it all. This is a K-Pop showdown as I like to call it. I find two of the fiercest K-Pop dancers every show, and they battle it out choosing their own K-Pop songs that they feel the most confident in and own their own solo moment to shine. I think it is everyone’s dream to have a stage with great lighting and do numbers that you love and speak to you.
As they “VS” each other in the end, the audience votes who is the “Hot Issue” of the night. I wanted to make sure that this was a fair competition. But also a fun one. I really wanted this to bring the aspect of having fun and honestly just loving K-Pop. I want them to feel like a safe space when you come to the show!
Are you surprised at the level and volume of K-Pop talent in NYC?
Absolutely not! I see all of these talented dancers in Times Square, I connect with them on dance floors, and I see them dancing and posting videos online. It was just a matter of time that they finally have their own moment IRL Because K-Pop is hard, these dances are very technical. And these people do it because they absolutely love it.
Hot Issue returns to Hush this Wednesday for a special Lunar New Year edition that will see you joined onstage by Shia Ho and Angel Au!
Yes, Hot Issue is back and we are bringing the heat, as this is the Year of the Fire Horse. I wanted to celebrate Lunar New Year with my two Asian sisters that I know very closely, and have worked with alongside many events. So this one’s a pretty special one for our community, especially this being such an iconic year for the lunar calendar.
We have a couple things up our sleeves, so…you gotta be there to see it.
Then on February 26th, you’re part of the lineup for Angel Au and Atomic Annie’s “TUQQ’D: A Fetish Fashion Party” at 9 Bob Note featuring Lana Ja’Rae and Drag Race Italia Season 3 winner Lina Galore!
Yes, I have a couple more gigs planned after this Wednesday — some being special for Lunar New Year, and “TUQQ’D” which is a fetish fashion party, which speaks true to my style and aura. I mean, fetish fashion and cunty drag queens… what a fucking sexy combo! I’m excited, and looking forward to seeing the looks.
Then on Saturday the 28th, you’ll be back in 3 Dollar Bill as part the massive lineup of Shia Ho’s annual “Made In Asia” drag festival! Will this be your first time performing in that?
Yes, I am honored to be a part of that lineup as well for “MIA.” Actually, this is my second time performing for this event. The first time I performed solo in 2024, but this time I’ll be performing with my K-pop dance group KLÍQUE. It should be a pretty fun performance. I’m excited that I’m able to share the stage with my friends, and give the audience an iconic K-Pop medley.
What else is coming up for you?
A couple things I have personally coming up are my other K-Pop party I work with, BIAS NYC, will be at Lincoln Center on February 22 to celebrate Lunar New Year! And a very, very special Hot Issue on March 4th. Should I give a little hint? it is the Issue, my ultimate Bias group!
I have some other creative endeavors that I am focusing on this year — as well my music and my acting, and growing my social media presence authentically. So I’m excited to release those to the world when it’s ready, and to share my journey along the way hoping it resonates with my dolls all around the world.
Very exciting! Lastly, what’s your favorite item in your drag bag?
Oh my God, I love this question! If I had to choose, maybe my top three items that I will always have in my drag bag are: a black eyeliner, something glowy / sparkly, and my portable light. I mean…you have to have good lighting for your selfies! DUH!
Thanks, SNIX!
Thank you so much for having this amazing chat with me. HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR! 새해 복 많이 받으세요
Check Thotyssey’s calendar for SNIX’s upcoming appearances, and follow her on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Thotyssey 