South Korean singer-songwriter, actor, and a television host KANG DANIEL has unveiled his sixth mini-album [Glow to Haze], offering up a cinematic sonic experience that feels intimate yet relatable.
Having debuted as a member of boy group Wanna One through winning first place in a reality competition series, Produce 101, Daniel began his solo career in 2019, going on to achieve acclaim and accolades with each new release.
Now on the cusp of a sonic era, leading us on a reflective journey through the light and haze of life, Kang Daniel continues to cement his status as a multi-talented powerhouse in the Korean music scene.
Speaking to Earmilk, he delves into the inspiration behind his latest album, how he’d like to experiment with his sound and his career highlights.
What is the message/inspiration behind “Glow to Haze”?
“Glow to Haze” is an album that tells the story of how a love that used to shine gradually fades away. In the ‘Glow’ part, we express the excitement of love in an upbeat sound. In the ‘Haze’ section, we reveal the fading of love as the emotions fade away.
How has your sound evolved, and how do you think it will change in the future?
On this album, I wrote or composed all the songs. I was involved in the whole process of songwriting and came up with a lot of ideas. We focused on less post-production and more on live sound expression, minimizing the number of instruments to 5-6 instead of piling them up as before to achieve a simple yet attractive sound. I would like to continue to pursue an unlimited musical spectrum and show my identity as a dance singer who makes use of performance and as a singer-songwriter.
Which track is your personal favourite and why?
Of course, my focus track, Episode! But beside it, it's the 5th track, ‘Little Bit Lost’. If you listen to the album sequentially, you'll see why I put it last: the mood of the song and my vocal tone go well together, I was very satisfied with myself while singing it, and it has a special meaning as a new chapter in my musical expansion.
What genres or concepts would you like to explore in the future?
I don't want to be limited to a genre. I want to build my own identity more firmly by trying various things, such as dance songs with dance performances, songs that reveal my singer-songwriter self, and songs that seem to tell a story or spark imagination.
What has been the most memorable or surreal moment in your career, and what are your plans for the future?
I think the moments when fans sing along with me on stage every time are the most touching, and the episode when I was working on this album was when I completed the 3rd track, ‘Love Game’, with my friend in 3 days, and I felt a great sense of accomplishment. In terms of future plans, I would like to prepare well for my Seoul concert in August and make a good performance, and I would like to perform meaningful activities before my military enlistment in the second half of the year, and leave behind works that reveal my identity as ‘Kang Daniel’ even after my enlistment.
How would you describe Kang Daniel's music in three words to a first-time listener?
Minimal, Identifiable, Evolving
Connect with Kang Daniel : Instagram
