From art and photography to film, design, literature, and music, inspiration is the starting line of creation. It offers the impulse to begin and the guidance to move forward. But when does that moment truly arrive?
There are no set rules. Sometimes inspiration strikes in a sud-den flash, while at other times it emerges slowly through long hours of focus and observation. As Heekyung Na, the musician who carries Bossa Nova between Korea and Brazil, explains:
“In the past, I believed that stronger emotions were necessary to write lyrics and compose songs. Yet I learned that such intensity does not always produce meaningful work. I came to realize that music can also emerge from gratitude for small pleasures and from moments of empathy with the stories of the world.”
For her, music has always been a way of attuning to the voices of the world. On this journey to hear them more clearly, the EV4 stands as a companion that carries her inspiration further.
The word Bossa Nova carries the meaning of ‘new wave.’ Like the Nouvelle Vague in film and other art forms, it represents the power to disrupt established currents and bring a fresh perspective. This is how Heekyung Na describes the roots of Bossa Nova:
“Bossa Nova emerged in the late 1950s, when young musicians gathered on the Brazilian coast in a spirit of freedom. Rooted in traditional Samba, it introduced a youthful and refined rhythm that surprised the public with its fresh flow. Over time, it has become a defining symbol of Brazilian music and a timeless favorite loved across the nation.”
Her explanation naturally brought to mind the place of electric vehicles, including the EV4. In an era shaped by more than a century of internal combustion, EVs feel like a ‘new wave’ — unfamiliar at first, yet quickly becoming part of our lives.
Na describes Bossa Nova as music of quiet strength.
“It may seem gentle on the surface, yet within it carries intricate harmonies and layers of emotion. Far from being mere background music, it is a sound that reveals greater depth with every listen.”
“It is just like the EV4 itself. Step inside, and a stillness greets you, as if the outside world has fallen away. Just as Bossa Nova captivates its audience with an intimate, whispering presence, EV4 offers remarkable immersion through silence. Yet press the accelerator, and a hid-den strength emerges. It is truly fascinating to experience in this vehicle the same quiet strength that defines Bossa Nova.
In her words, electric vehicles embody qualities never seen in conventional cars. On the outside they appear clean and composed, but within them lies a system of finely tuned, interconnected technologies. Just as Bossa Nova hides intricate harmonies within its steady rhythms, the EV4 carries remarkable power within its silence.
Music and technology may begin on different paths, yet they ultimately converge, moving together in the same rhythm.
Finding inspiration requires the courage to step outside the comfort zone.
“Fifteen years ago, I set off alone for Brazil with an album I had made myself. The freedom of street performances, guitar notes drifting from café corners, lyrics carried on the ocean breeze, and the chance to perform with musicians I admired — each became a source of inspiration. I believe that without a change of environment, people do not change easily.”
For her, Brazil marked both a new beginning and a turning point of transformation. The experiences she encountered in unfamiliar surroundings flowed naturally into her music, shaping new narratives.
Sometimes, change requires leaving behind familiar scenery. The EV4 makes that journey more relaxed. With a range of up to 533 kilometers on a single charge (17-inch long-range specification), it provides the confidence to venture farther and the assurance of reaching any destination, offering a new level of comfort.
“Heading toward the sea, the passing scenery reminded me of the Brazilian shoreline. The soft seats, the quiet hum of the drive, and the gentle flow of music moved at my own pace. It felt like running hand in hand with an old friend.”
When worries are left behind and the journey itself becomes the focus, it turns into more than simply reaching a destination. They are experiences that spark inspiration in themselves.
Standing before the sea at last, powerful freedoms stretch with the waves. Perhaps the young musicians who gave birth to Bossa Nova on Copacabana Beach 70 years ago felt the same inspiration from waves like these.
“Sometimes it feels as though everything around me is trying to speak — the boundless horizon stretching before my eyes, the green shimmer of a forest, or the dazzling sparkles scattered across the sea after the waves have stilled. Listening to these voices, the stories I wish to tell rise to me naturally.”
The cabin of the EV4 quickly became one of her favorite workspaces. Wherever she stopped, she could immerse herself in her work with ease. Its open view, ample space, and quiet driving environment ensured that no moment of inspiration was lost.
Unfinished lyrics began to take shape, gradually forming a song. As melodies were ad-ded and instrumental lines layered in, its structure grew clearer. The inspiration from this journey will soon become a song that resonates with many.
“What music might arrive next, what stories might appear? That anticipation is what drives me to keep creating. In this quiet pursuit of inspiration, I know — this is when I am most alive.”
To find inspiration is to see the world and oneself as one. At times, worries become the starting point, and uncertainties turn into new rhythms. What matters most is to keep moving within that flow.
Inspiration arrives anytime, anywhere, the instant we open ourselves to listen. It emerges in silence, in the scenery, and within the self. In those moments, the EV4 is right beside you — a quiet companion taking your hand — guiding you into new stories, moving in rhythm together.
Photo by Hyuksoo Cho
HMG Journal Operation Team
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