Originally set for a January 4 release, the album was delayed to February 15 after Chung Ha tested positive for COVID-19 on December 7, 2020, to focus on her recovery.

The album features guest appearances from the DJ and record producer R3hab, Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa and South Korean singer-songwriter Colde.

Singer-songwriters Sumin and Baek Yerin were also involved in the making of this album, the two artists co-wrote "Bother Me" and "All Night Long" respectively.

The album is primarily a pop record that combines EDM, synth-pop, R&B, afrobeat, house, korean ballad and latin-pop elements.

Querencia was supported by five singles: "Stay Tonight", "Play" featuring Changmo, "X", "Bicycle" and "Demente", the first two became top ten and twenty hits on the Gaon Digital Chart.

On March 10, MNH Entertainment announced that Chung Ha had signed with American agency, ICM Partners, for her America and global promotions.

[19] On December 9, MNH Entertainment announced that Chung Ha's pre-release single "X" and upcoming studio album Querencia would be delayed to focus on her recovery.

[27] It features guest appearances from the DJ and record producer R3hab, Puerto Rican rapper Guaynaa and South Korean singer-songwriter Colde.

Continuing to touch on multiple genres and themes, Querencia is conveniently split into four sides: "Noble", "Savage", "Unknown" and "Pleasures" – each marked by one-minute interludes.

[26][31][37] "Flying on Faith" is a crunchy pop, electro-pop and R&B track with a vulnerable tone about a failing relationship where her partner stays weighed down by their emotions for an ex.

[32][38][31][28] Beginning with a guitar riff that eventually expands into a colourful explosion of synths, Chung Ha sings "She keeps weighing us down / I keep wondering if you wanna stay.

[43] The disco-tinged gloss song, "Bother Me" is a "classic-sound ING" dance-funk and deep house track with bass guitar, dreamy synths and a propulsive beat.

[54] The image shows Chung Ha staring intensely at one place, showcasing a fierce expression and wearing unique vivid color outfit with her hair slicked back, strong enough to break through the glass that is edited onto the artwork.

[56] Eighteen months after Flourishing, Querencia was released worldwide on February 15, 2021, through MNH and 88rising in conjunction with the music video for "Bicycle".

[26][31][37] In celebration of her comeback, Chung Ha held an online showcase and press conference to talk about her debut studio album and also her recovery from COVID-19, for which she asymptomatically tested positive in December 2020.

[58] According to MNH Entertainment, a regular single-disc CD is packaged with less lamination and sold in paper envelopes instead of plastic jewel cases.

[58] Chung Ha added "We also tried to minimize the use of lamination and other unnecessary plastics, except for photo cards, something very important for our fans," the artist told a local radio show.

[73] NME critic Rhian Daly opined that "If its title refers to a place where you can be your true self, then this album reflects its creator as a curious, confident and passionate artist whose songs help make the world feel that little bit bigger again".

[26] For Rolling Stone India, Divyansha Dongre wrote that "with her debut album, Chung Ha demonstrates her versatility as a vocalist" but also "gives the audience a bigger glimpse of her rap and songwriting capabilities".

[34] Writing for Nylon, Crystal Bell stated that the album is a "testament to the singer's metamorphosis from a captivating performer into a true global superstar".

[29] Billboard's Nolan Feeney praised the album's concept and production, writing "Querencia's ambitious and sophisticated sampling of global sounds may mark a turning point for K-pop's international reach".

[30] In a mixed review, Kim Doheon from IZM said that Querencia's "production, which relies in large part on the artist's versatility, does not create flashy moments, and Chung Ha, who faithfully performs a given song, does not exceed the level in singing, contrary to passionate dance performances"[74] In June 2021, Billboard included Querencia on their "Best Albums of 2021 So Far: Staff Picks" list, with Nolan Feeeney stating that Chung Ha's debut album is "an ambitious undertaking on all levels" and adding that "there's a slinky sophistication that brings Querencia's cosmopolitan sounds together".

"[25] Commercially, Querencia debuted at number 1 on the Gaon Retail Album Chart at 1 pm KST with 1518 sales in its first hour of tracking.

[81] At the end of Querencia's first day, it sold 8921 copies in Korea, marking a new record for Chung Ha, beating out her Maxi Single by 4891 sales.

[82] Upon release, Querencia reached the top three on the all-genre US iTunes sales chart, only behind Morgan Wallen's Dangerous: The Double Album and The Pretty Reckless' Death by Rock and Roll.