Putting aside glamour, embracing fragility.. Young K of DAY6 reveals the real 'Kang Young-hyun' [Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

DAY6 member Young K (real name Kang Young-hyun) has temporarily set aside his glamorous artist persona to reveal the most honest and vulnerable side of himself as 'Kang Young-hyun'.

Recently, Young K held a roundtable interview at Seoul Jongno-gu JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul to commemorate the release of his second solo studio album 'YOUNGEST'.

On this occasion, Young K expressed, "I am happy to make my solo comeback after 2 years and 10 months. I have done my best to show as much as possible what I can offer as a solo artist, so I hope many will pay attention and embrace me with kind hearts."

The title track of this album, 'Shut The Door', delicately portrays moments when one closes their heart's door and repeatedly tells themselves, "It will get better," while soothing themselves.

Regarding the title track, Young K revealed behind-the-scenes details: "I wrote this song in about 30 to 40 minutes as if writing a diary entry. It was one of the fastest songs I worked on for this album, so I was surprised when it was chosen as the title track."

He continued, "I think it is an ironic song. After being hurt and wounded outside, you close the door and go inside, yet in that confined space, you actually feel a sense of liberation and freedom. Isn't that truly paradoxical? In my own life, after working socially outside as 'Young K' and living that persona, I feel free the moment I return to my room and put on my headphones. Another world unfolds within me through computer games. I created this song thinking many people might heal their tired hearts in their rooms in their own way and find freedom there."

Young K worked hard on all 15 tracks so that any of them could become the title track, then went through his agency's confirmation system to finalize 'Shut The Door' as the title. He added, "All 15 songs are like my children, so I cannot favor one over the others, but I did think that if 'Shut The Door' became the title, it would fit well at festivals or live performances."

The full album 'YOUNGEST', containing a total of 15 tracks, is filled with diverse layers to ensure the moods and styles of the songs do not overlap. An interesting point is that the album title was decided before any songwriting began.

Young K recalled, "As I lived as Young K for 11 years, I had been ignoring what the most 'Kang Young-hyun-like' aspect of me would look like. While seeking my true self, I realized, 'I have such diverse sides.' That is how these 15 songs were born."

The process of examining 'human Kang Young-hyun' was also a process of facing his own fragility. Regarding the generally dark lyrics, he honestly shared, "In my view, 'Young K' has always pursued a more refined image that deserves people's love. On the other hand, 'Kang Young-hyun' is someone with many shortcomings, complaints, and even enough vulnerability to get hurt emotionally. As I revealed these inner feelings more openly, this message emerged."

When asked if he felt liberated by exposing his darker side, Young K surprisingly answered, "Actually, it was painful."

"There were many parts where I had to acknowledge my shortcomings. Nodding and saying 'Yes, that's who I am' toward the aspects I had ignored was a somewhat painful process of admitting 'I am not perfect.' However, once I moved beyond that point of acknowledgment, I began to be able to embrace myself. I believe accepting even that was an absolutely necessary step for me to move forward."

'YOUNGEST' will be released at 6 p.m. on the 27th through various online music platforms.

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*This content was translated by AI.