There are two sides to Okay-pop star Kang Daniel. One second the 27-year-old will probably be commanding an viewers as he works the stage, performing his newest single “Electrical Shock,” and the subsequent he’s in a comfy sweater, seemingly a bit extra reserved throughout a Saturday afternoon Zoom from Seoul with The Hollywood Reporter.

Kang has had a while to determine what works greatest for him, as he’s been working within the business because the age of 20. In 2017, he received his begin after successful the second season of Korean music competitors present Produce 101, incomes him a spot within the present’s momentary boy group Wanna One. After a profitable run with the group for a yr and a half, the singer determined to launch his solo profession. His followers, collectively identified now as FLOWD, have been with the performer since day one.

Since then, Kang has had a number of critically acclaimed albums in Korea. He’s additionally acted, making his onscreen debut within the 2022 mini-series Rookie Cops, Disney+’s first Korean authentic sequence. The Okay-pop star additionally hosted the wildly fashionable Korean dance competitors sequence Road Lady Fighter and its equally fashionable spinoffs Road Dance Ladies Fighter and Road Man Fighter.

Now, the singer is again with a brand new EP, Act, having signed with a brand new administration firm, Inventive Spherical Alliance, identified merely as ARA. He joined the company after shuttering his self-founded company Konnect Leisure on account of embezzlement by a serious shareholder.

The singer says it “wasn’t really easy” for him to maneuver on from his earlier firm, however releasing his newest album has virtually felt like he was “restarting” and persevering with his job as an artist once more.

Under, Kang opens up in regards to the course of of constructing his fifth solo album, what an ideal free day appears to be like like for him and what’s subsequent for his music and performing careers.

What was your expertise like making Act? How did you are feeling going via selling the album?

Being a solo artist, I at all times must act for my music movies. This time I performed two roles. It was sort of a brand new expertise for me as effectively. It was a extremely good time capturing my music video.

Have you ever had a favourite a part of the album launch, whether or not or not it’s capturing the music video, performing or anything?

The music video. I imply, that is my job. The music video is a part of my job, however I really feel prefer it’s one thing model new this time.

Do you are feeling that your personal private journey as an artist and as an individual on the earth influences your music?

Normally, once I watch motion pictures or drama [series], I take into consideration music too, although I’m making an attempt to not do my job at any time when I’ve time to loosen up at dwelling. That’s my passion — watching motion pictures and drama sequence — and it makes me think about so much. Typically it’s actually useful to me, that creativeness [it] brings to my work. I may say that this sort of influences my music.

How do you recharge? What do you love to do in your free time?

There’s a variety of methods to recharge. Some individuals exercise or watch motion pictures however, for me, simply staying in my dwelling… I imply house is every part to me. I’ve received cats in my dwelling. I’ve received my laptop in my dwelling. I’ve received TVs in my dwelling. Yeah, simply staying at dwelling.

How are your cats? They’re very cute cats.

They’re actually cute. They’re at all times cute. They’re good.

Do you’ve got any hopes to behave once more sooner or later? Was that one thing you loved and need to attempt once more?

Possibly. If I get the possibility, I’d like to. Once I was capturing [Rookie Cops] for the primary time, I’d really feel actually nervous. However now I really feel comfy. I can do extra stuff.

How do you need to be seen as a performer at this level in your profession? Clearly, since you’re so younger, it’s humorous to say, however you’ve had a protracted profession already. How would you like individuals to see you? Is it completely different than it was?

Thanks. [Laughs]. Thanks for saying that. I like to be myself on stage and in performances, however for me, somewhat than being somebody’s greatest singer of their reminiscence, I need to be a singer of their playlist. That [they] hearken to my music usually. That’s a part of my objective.

For those who may say one thing to your followers at this second in time, what that will be?

To my FLOWD. Sadly, I had no selection and I had a scenario that sadly we modified the fandom title. Even earlier than and even now, I admire all my followers. I wish to say thanks to your assist on a regular basis. I used to be capable of launch this album all due to you, and I’m going to grow to be a cool individual in order that the route that I selected doesn’t deviate out of your creativeness on a regular basis.