Ok-Pop star Kai needs you to dive deep into his thoughts.
The 31-year-old artist, a member of standard boy group EXO, is again with a brand new solo EP, Wait On Me. The seven-track album, launched Monday, marks Kai’s first launch in over two years following the completion of his army service.
Kai’s pre-release observe “Grownup Swim” units the stage for the album’s refreshingly catchy pop sound. “‘Grownup Swim’ is a really significant observe to me,” the Ok-Pop star tells The Hollywood Reporter on a Zoom from his company SM Leisure’s Seoul headquarters. “If I used to be the Kai [of a few years ago], I won’t have chosen this observe.”
Whereas “Grownup Swim” is a superb match for a day on the pool, Wait On Me’s lead single of the identical identify is ideal for an evening out with mates. The Afrobeats infused pop observe builds on Kai’s standard singles of the previous like “Rover” or “Peaches” to discover a sound that feels proper at house in his discography.
Beneath, the worldwide star speaks with THR about performing once more after his enlistment, how excited he’s to see followers face-to-face once more and the pressures that include being the king of the dance problem.
What was it like making Wait On Me? Do you have got any favourite moments?
I used to be actually excited, however on the identical time it was a bit robust as a result of I wished to fulfill my followers so shortly. They’ve been ready, and that’s why we had a good schedule for manufacturing. I truly felt the strain of constructing an album after two years. This strain that I felt got here due to the priority and ideas that I ought to want to indicate new sides of myself to the viewers. All through these two years, what I’ve discovered truly made me overcome the issues.
It was robust all through the manufacturing of the album, however that form of feeling truly let me launch these issues and actually get on board for the manufacturing.
Kai on getting to fulfill followers once more: “Once I truly do meet them, then I’ll really feel like I’ve a completely recharged battery.”
Courtesy of SM Leisure
Listening to you say you wished to get again to followers shortly; clearly when you have been enlisted you weren’t making music, in order that’s a really fast turnaround time. How are you feeling about followers getting to listen to the album? Are you excited? Are you nervous, or are you simply actually prepared for them to listen to it?
I really feel all these feelings on the identical time proper now. I really feel like there’s butterflies and pleasure identical to I used to be debuting, however on the identical time very nervous. As a lot because the success and all of the information that we’ll achieve from this album are essential, for me crucial factor is whether or not I will fulfill the expectations of the followers. This time I wished to truly intention [for] that with the challenges that I’ll be exhibiting them, so I’m very excited for that.
“Wait On Me” and “Grownup Swim” really feel a bit completely different from songs you’ve launched earlier than, whereas additionally feeling very very similar to a track you’d launch. What was it like attempting one thing new and did you are feeling you match with it?
“Grownup Swim” is a really significant observe to me. If I used to be the Kai [of a few years ago], I won’t have chosen this observe. Due to these two years away, and the expertise from that point, that turned the issue that made me select this track. As you’ll be able to hear, the verse and the refrain, the environment could be very completely different. From the verse, you’ll be able to really feel the cool [and] refreshing beats and the vibes, feeling such as you’re swimming. When it turns into to the refrain, you go deep into the ocean, you’re diving into the ocean, and you may have these deeper beats and sounds arising. I believe this truly reveals my mindset all through these two years.
The explanation I selected this as a pre-release track is that it’s an excellent introduction to the album and which is nicely expressed by way of the verse. You begin with a lightweight greeting after which whenever you go into the refrain, you’ll be able to actually dive deep into my inner-self and feelings. You then go deeper and deeper down and that’s the place you’ll be able to meet meet me ready – the true “Wait On Me.”
You’re identified to be an unbelievable dancer, and I believe it’s fairly protected to say you would possibly maintain the title of king of the dance problem. Do you ever really feel strain round that or really feel like you must proceed to higher your self in that means?
To begin with, for “Grownup Swim,” I truly didn’t think about the problem for this track as a result of the choreography itself could be very tough, as you’ll be able to see, however reasonably I targeted on exhibiting what I’m good at. I attempted to eliminate this self-doubt as a result of I selected this track as a lighter introduction, in order that was what I used to be aiming for with this.
For “Wait On Me,” you truly have to see the music video, however will probably be some form of a problem, as within the which means itself. You’ll truly see what I imply whenever you have a look at the music video. I need the viewers to get that impression, because it was truly a problem itself. Because you got here into this world of mine with “Grownup Swim,” now it’s time to fall deeper inside [the world]. I wished to current a brand new set of challenges for myself with “Wait On Me.”
Kai says the problem of capturing the music video for “Wait On Me” helped him get again into his life as an artist.
Courtesy of SM Leisure
Are you able to share any behind-the-scenes tidbits of capturing the music movies? Was there something you discovered simpler this time round? Something harder?
I needed to shoot the music video a month after my service. It was a problem itself. It was fairly tough. Really, within the final two years, I gained a whole lot of muscle groups. I bulked up a little bit, however with these these two songs, “Grownup Swim” and “Wait On Me,” I felt like that sort of form was not becoming its temper, so dropping pounds and getting match once more was fairly difficult.
Through the music video for “Wait On Me,” there’s a whole lot of props on the ground. I needed to execute the efficiency from the valleys and hills, and there’s a hallway that I needed to run down as nicely. There have been a whole lot of obstacles, which was very difficult, however on the identical time very, very enjoyable. This truly helped me get again into to my life as an artist.
As you begin selling on music reveals with this album, you’re going to see followers once more for the primary time in a extremely very long time. How are you feeling about that?
Since my comeback, I’ve been doing a whole lot of schedules the place the followers might see me by way of movies and reside [streams], however I hadn’t had a chance the place I might meet the followers. I’m very excited for that, and that’s why it doesn’t really feel like an actual comeback but, so I’m very excited.
I’m attempting to make extra alternatives [for fans], as a lot as I can by way of these music reveals and [my] upcoming tour. Once I truly do meet them, then I’ll really feel like I’ve a completely recharged battery.
Talking of touring, you’re to get to fulfill worldwide followers quickly throughout SMTOWN Stay. How are you’re feeling about getting to try this once more?
I really feel like we’re simply beginning now, like [it’s the] official begin. I truly really feel like my love in the direction of the followers is larger than their [love] in the direction of me. I miss them extra, and I truly need to do a battle – whose coronary heart is larger?
How do you hope to be seen as an artist? Whether or not that be as a member of EXO or as a solo artist.
Since my debut I at all times wished to be higher, and I wished to be good at what I used to be doing. I’ve questioned the place my peak could possibly be. On the identical time, I wasn’t very interested by others’ views or ideas an excessive amount of.
As a EXO member, with “Tempo” and “Love Shot,” and as a solo artist with “Rover” or “Peaches,” I really feel like everybody sees me in a unique mild and as a unique artist by way of all these completely different tracks. What I hope [is] that I might at the least wiggle right into a tiny room of their hearts.
Kai on getting to indicate his vary as a solo artist and a member of EXO: “I really feel like everybody sees me in a unique mild and as a unique artist.”
Courtesy of SM Leisure
Is there something you need to add?
The recollections from my time with SuperM within the U.S. are deeply imprinted in my coronary heart. I had a lot enjoyable again then. For that, my largest aim truly is that by way of this album, I’m hoping to fulfill my worldwide followers, additionally my American followers. I simply wished to say I’m nonetheless right here, guys. I’ve an album out, and I’m truly going to be there quickly to see you all, so please look ahead to it.
