Kang Daniel‘s final journey to the U.S. came about in February 2020, simply as COVID-19 issues had been actually taking maintain worldwide and would quickly put live-music experiences on maintain for the foreseeable future. The Ok-pop celebrity was getting ready the second EP of his solo profession—one in every of his 4 color-themed EPs he launched from 2019-2021—sharing that there was “a lot [he] ready this yr to indicate folks.” Even when a worldwide pandemic slowed journey, it didn’t have an effect on the star’s ambition.
Daniel pushed on into extra music, appearing and internet hosting these previous years whereas balancing duties as CEO of his KONNECT Leisure. Solely in 2023 was he capable of lastly come again stateside with a present that lastly noticed his long-awaited live performance desires coming true.
“It’d sound somewhat foolish, however whenever you lose one thing you perceive how treasured it’s, proper?” Daniel says throughout some downtime after touring the Empire State Constructing in New York. “For me, it was the performances and my reveals. I actually needed to do a tour and I actually needed to get to my followers abroad.”
After releasing his first full-length album, The Story, and touring it by North America, Europe and Asia on his First Parade world tour, Daniel kickstarted a brand new period with the shock, Mad Max-esque “Prequel” trailer that showcased a cinematic story as a backdrop to the Ok-pop star’s upcoming album. Combining his music with an epic, blockbuster manufacturing is one other instance of the formidable, multifaceted artist he strives to not solely be within the Ok-pop business however acknowledged as such world wide.
“There’s an extended historical past of popular culture and such numerous performances and reveals within the U.S.,” he explains. “All people is aware of it everywhere in the world. I wish to be acknowledged as an artist by my reveals within the U.S.”
After lastly bringing his reveals to America and past, Kang Daniel’s forthcoming album REALIEZ drops on June 19. Led by his first unique English solo single, “Wasteland,” and its intensely eerie “Music Sequence” visible, the celebrity’s ambition and targets appear on observe to be acknowledged by his largest viewers ever. Learn on for extra from Kang Daniel on “Wasteland,” his reflections from his world tour, his private recommendation and extra.
Congratulations on the discharge of “Wasteland” forward of your REALIEZ album. Why was this the fitting tune to start out your new period?
I feel “Wasteland” is a tune that expresses the betrayal of a agency religion and the second of realizing it. The lyrics are all in English, signaling the start of a brand new narrative to extra folks and it appears that evidently folks could be extra immersed within the cinematic idea, so it was launched as a pre-release single.
That is your first music since your First Parade world tour that hit Europe, the U.Ok and U.S. Going again for a second, inform me about your mindset whenever you had been touring the States for the primary time as a soloist?
Crucial thought I had was, “I have to do a present.” In my profession as an artist, an important half is being on the stage as a result of that’s the place I belong, that’s the place I’ve probably the most enjoyable and I wish to share that with my followers. So, I’m very excited to have been within the US, we visited plenty of cities throughout the nation and it required plenty of preparation internally and for my phases as nicely. And it’s not solely in regards to the tour, however I get to discover these new cities and I get inspiration from that.
Do you want exploring the totally different cities or do it’s essential relaxation at resorts throughout touring?
I like to discover new locations. For instance, after checking into the resort [in New York], I simply went out on my own—went to a neighborhood restaurant and had dinner. These days, I’m actually into exercises so the gymnasium is the place I spend most of my time. So it’s like, “Okay: discover then exercise.” Steadiness.
The tour facilities round your first full-length album, The Story. Earlier than formally shifting from that period to REALIEZ, how do you mirror on such a big undertaking?
I feel: “Lastly, I used to be capable of publish my first full-length album.” You already know, it’s one thing we are able to maintain onto as an artist; it’s a lifetime expertise. For some artists, it’d take, like, as much as 10 years, proper? However for me, since my debut, since I began gathering the music even, I actually needed to do, and simply the truth that I used to be capable of have my very own [full-length] album in my lifetime was significant sufficient.
A title like “The Story” reaches very broad. What does it imply to you and does it nonetheless maintain the identical that means as whenever you first titled the album?
Once I needed to provide you with a title, I had plenty of stress and I needed to give plenty of thought to it as a result of it’s virtually like a set of various dramas, with varied genres, like, “How am I supposed to place every part into one phrase?” And when it comes to genres, we describe it as “varied,” however we are able to additionally say it’s form of in every single place on the identical time. So I simply thought, “Okay, up to now the life I’ve lived, and the music I’ve listened to, and all of it comes into the phrase ‘story.’” it’s the story that I can share with my different followers and it’s simply one other story I can share with all people and I story that I can love. And that that means has stayed true even now.
There are some nice lyrics to songs you wrote for The Story. “Parade” seems like a mature and empowered mindset behind it. What’s the s sentiment behind these lyrics?
So, you talked about the phrase mindset and I simply needed to specific [myself], not in an excessively expressive method however calmly. I imply, folks may suppose I’ve a particular life simply because I’m an artist however I’m only a human being like different folks, you realize? So, quite than working so exhausting to provide you with “cool lyrics,” I simply needed to be trustworthy with my emotions.
Individuals can work all by the evening and whenever you see the dawn, you realize, “Oh, sure, I’ve labored actually exhausting,” and then you definately return house. That’s the sensation that I needed to share.
That’s your vibe, I feel—bigger than life on stage or on digital camera however humble and pleasant in particular person. So, what’s the that means behind a tune like “Loser” the place you’re virtually chatting with your self like a predominant character in a film?
Once I was younger, I didn’t have plenty of buddies, and when you combat with one in every of your closest buddies, you don’t have anybody else to play with, you realize what I imply? You’ll be able to play with different buddies, however they’re not the identical. Even when you go to the playground or play video games, one thing is lacking. So, within the tune, I’m the primary character per se, and I needed to look again at it as an grownup. Childhood can also be nonetheless a part of your story.
The lyrics in “How We Reside” that includes sokodomo are actually highly effective. The place or from what expertise did that inspiration come?
Beer pong. [Laughs] So, the behind-the-scenes story is form of based mostly on conversations I had that evening over drinks had with buddies You already know, when you’re watching folks play beer pong at an Irish bar—some persons are drunk, some are throwing up, however they’re all finally superb and it’s simply their life. However I feel the story’s level is that I fell asleep whereas my buddies had been ingesting, however I awoke as a result of they had been so loud. I used to be like, “Hey, cease…” they usually advised me, “It’s not that dangerous, simply have your drink.” Simply belief your self; belief your scenario.
“Parade” was the title of the world tour, and to me is like an anthem for all people, freaks, losers, every kind of individuals. You say, “Depart us alone and we’ll be superb.” Was that the concept you needed to base the tour round?
The lyrics of “Parade” have a deep connection to my life. For me, happiness is an important, and work, cash and life are all separate. However in Asia, and particularly Korea, everyone seems to be overworked—I’ve to overwork myself too generally—and it’s not such as you receives a commission extra time. There’s not likely extra time [in Korea] however there’s a lot stress. So, you must end your work even when they don’t pay you further and generally I’m like, “What the heck? You already know what, it’s not that vital.” It’s my life and it’s not my life to only work…happiness is what’s vital and quite than attempting to persuade folks by a fundamental message, I simply needed to offer them a suggestion. So how about this [“Parade” theme]? That’s why the music video is in an workplace.
You re-released the album as The Story : RETOLD with the brand new single “Nirvana.” What does that phrase imply to you?
Kurt Cobain. [Laughs] Yeah, Kurt Cobain as a result of Nirvana is one in every of my favourite rock bands. Once I was engaged on the observe, I attempted different phrases on the topline, however nothing actually labored out. And “Nirvana” actually match nicely. However as soon as I stated, “Okay, that is going to be the title” then I completed the remainder of the tune.
What’s your favourite Nirvana tune?
“Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Traditional.
You’ve finished plenty of nice collaborations just lately: Jessi, pH-1, Chancellor, 220 KID and Willim. What do you search for in a collaborator as of late?
I assume you might be form of asking in regards to the motivation, however I’m not likely positive. It’s not in regards to the final result that I’m on the lookout for, however I simply benefit from the course of—it’s enjoyable. For instance, Jesse, I, her let’s collectively, you realize, and Ok one was really helpful by the group. After which I used to be like, “Okay, it’s a great match and I needed to offer it a strive.” So, when it comes to collaboration, an important factor is that I have to have enjoyable. Yeah. And once I’m having enjoyable, the tune comes out very nice. So, I’m not seeking to have an enormous plan of “I’m gonna present this half” or “I wish to do that idea with this particular person,” it’s the enjoyable through the course of and the tune itself.
You’ve additionally been doing so many issues past music currently, like appearing, your first Japanese launch, and internet hosting reveals because the MC. Was there any huge lesson you took from the alternatives?
Really, I realized quite a bit from these experiences, so it’s not attainable to take one phrase or lesson to explain what I realized, however I feel the primary key phrases are about range inside myself. Take, for instance, this desk, I solely used to see the highest a part of it, however now I may also see the legs and the opposite components of it. So I can apply that to my music. I used to be engaged on my new album and it was actually enjoyable. I haven’t stated this but, however I feel lots of people are actually going to love it.
What are you able to inform us in regards to the new album REALIEZ that we haven’t seen but by “Wasteland”?
The album is in regards to the strategy of realizing the reality hidden in lies on the theme of a dystopian world in a cinematic type. There are a complete 5 songs, together with “Wasteland,” on this album and it’s a narrative of gaining enlightenment by uncovering reality from lies and a narrative in regards to the realization to face our entire self. Relying on the listener, totally different endings could be imagined, so, I’m trying ahead to it.
Your KONNECT Leisure has grown significantly because you final visited America with a number of nice artists signed. I all the time ask Ok-pop firm CEOs if they’ve skilled plans or any reflections on their artists.
So, I don’t maintain their schedules, however once they need assistance, I attempt to arrange a separate assembly with them in order that I can refer any person they want or make certain they’ve higher connections. I’ve been having planning conversations with totally different firms and collaborators, some which might be surprising.
To wrap up, I all the time actually admire your mindset, and also you appear in a great place proper now. Do you could have any phrases for many who could also be having a troublesome time or how you can maintain your self bodily, mentally and emotionally wholesome?
Oh, thanks. Emotionally, let’s say, we don’t actually know what’s behind the door till we open it. I’ve been in that place in my darkish occasions and, really, what scares us will not be what’s behind the door, however it’s the motion we’ve got to take to open the door, you realize? As a result of as soon as we open it, there’s nothing actually scary or extreme. And I actually hope it’s the identical for everyone else, however happiness is finally most vital, and that’s what I wish to share most.