ME:I's MOMONA recently opened up about her relationship with travel in a personal essay, describing how journeys allow her to rediscover herself amid life's chaos.

The idol contributed to a travel column series on Natalie Music where artists share their experiences exploring the world. In her piece, MOMONA reflected on a solo trip to northern Italy at 18—a journey sparked by a chance conversation with an admired senior who was planning to visit Europe that summer.

"For me, travel means 'coming back to myself,'" MOMONA wrote. "It's about stepping into distant lands, exchanging words with people you may never meet again, and experiencing unfamiliar landscapes and flavors."

She explained that while daily life often dulls the senses with work, responsibility, and distractions like smartphones, travel awakens what she calls "the joy of being alive"—pure experiences felt through the five senses.

The standout moment from MOMONA's trip was a day in Crema, a small town north of Milan and the filming location of her favorite film. Renting a bicycle under the intense summer heat, she pedaled for an hour to reach Fontanile Quarantina, a lake featured in the movie. Wading into the cool water surrounded by rustling leaves, birdsong, and earthy scents, she experienced a profound shift in perspective.

"In that moment, it didn't matter who I was socially or what I had accomplished," she reflected. "I was simply alive, and that alone felt like enough."

While MOMONA also visited Venice and Florence during the week-long journey, the quiet authenticity of Crema left the deepest impression. Unlike bustling tourist destinations, the town felt alive with the everyday routines of its residents—a "breathing" place that taught her about cultures beyond what internet research could provide.

MOMONA's essay emphasizes that travel doesn't mean escaping responsibility, but rather returning home with renewed appreciation for both the unfamiliar and the familiar. Her thoughtful take on wanderlust offers fans a glimpse into how even K-pop idols seek grounding through exploration and human connection.

The piece was part of Natalie Music's travel column series, published on May 16, coinciding with Japan's "Travel Day."