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Kang Hyung Gu, higher referred to as the beloved third-generation Ok-pop group Pentagon’s Kino, launched into a one-man journey in December 2023 when he established his personal label, Bare. Beginning afresh after dedicating a number of lively years to a gaggle that delivered a number of the most cherished hits of the {industry}, like ‘Shine’ and ‘Daisy’, Kino is lastly and artistically the boss of his future in his personal proper.
Pivoting away from his former administration company, Dice Leisure, liable for bringing collectively ten (initially) lives beneath one roof, the ‘98 liner bolstered the foundational roots of his solo music profession in early 2024.
Talking his coronary heart out, Kang Hyung Gu, who stepped into the gruelling Ok-pop coaching interval after passing an audition at 12, laid out all his playing cards about being reborn as Kino, the solo artist in his mid-20s, in an interview with HindustanTimes.com. Earlier than we get into it, here is an acceptable spoiler alert for Pentagon’s fandom, Universe. The members proceed to stroll down the thorny aggressive street of the Ok-industry as one another’s “greatest supporters,” sharing a “lifelong dedication” to that banner regardless of a number of members slicing ties with Dice Leisure in 2023.
Kicking off his new-found journey with the reassuring first single beneath Bare, Kino strengthened the fantastic thing about self-worth with ‘Trend Model’ in January 2024. This finally paved the way in which for his debut solo EP, ‘If This Is Love, I Need a Refund,’ in Might 2024. Collectively, the five-song tracklist (Broke My Coronary heart ft. Lay Bankz, Trend Model, Pose, Freaky Love and Solo) represents the “full cycle of a relationship,” portraying all the great and the dangerous about love.
=The mastermind musician, who refuses to field up his id as an artist, is a flexible jack-of-all-trades. Having ventured into fields exterior the familiarly comforting horizons of his musical chapter, Kino isn’t any stranger to the world of style and even positive artwork portray. The multihyphenate songwriter, producer, and dancer has accomplished all of it however remains to be removed from the tip of his journey; as an alternative, he is simply getting began.
Kino on going solo, back-breaking competitors within the Ok-pop {industry} and visiting India
HT: You’ve lately wrapped up your solo tour and launched your new album (If This Is Love, I Need a Refund). How has transitioning right into a solo artist affected your creative course of? What finally impressed you to inform the tales of various shades of affection with this album?
Kino: Within the means of going from a member of a boy band to a solo artist, I began to suppose extra about “my id.” And naturally, it leaned in the direction of ‘pop music’. It was an enormous change. It was additionally my first likelihood to share my new music type with individuals whereas I used to be making this album.
With this album, I wished to disclose the facet of affection we are likely to not present a lot in popular culture, because the title signifies—love isn’t all sunshines and fantastic, as they are saying. If that is what real love is, there’s nothing a lot to it; I would like it refunded. So the lyrics are very witty and categorical actual feelings we really feel inside that we had been embarrassed to say out loud.
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Unravelling Kino’s “musical id” and sudden collaboration with viral American TikTok rapper Lay Bankz
HT: Couldn’t assist however discover that every one 5 songs in your newest album provide a really “easy-listening” expertise, powered by a synthpop-inspired sound, regardless of expressing completely different feelings lyrically. Would you say that this sound selection defines your id as an artist? Or wouldn’t it be improper to field you up like that? Do you wish to be related to a specific style of music, or do you wish to depart that side undefined and open to extra interpretations?
Kino: I do not wish to outline my artist’s “musical id” to at least one single factor. But it surely’s this “pop” sound that is taking an enormous a part of my musical part. So. I hope you consider it as my essential factor, however on the identical time, I’m very open and there shall be lots of experiments. I hope you stay up for what’s to return.
HT: Extra in your sudden collaboration with Lay Bankz for ‘Broke My Coronary heart’: How did this occur? Might you share what it was like working along with her? What did you study from this collaboration, and the way did it affect your music? Do you have got a private favorite track from the album?
Kino: It was a coincidence that I obtained to know her. I obtained drawn into her Spotify Canvas, and I instantly emailed her, and we collaborated. I had lots of enjoyable filming the music video along with her, and I used to be in a position to see her honest enjoyment on the set. I additionally had lots of enjoyable filming it, and once I noticed the feelings mirrored within the remaining product, I noticed, “Nothing can beat the power that comes from pleasure.” That is why I like Broke My Coronary heart probably the most.
HT: Alongside the strains of your music route: with TikTok rising as a hub for vital Gen-Z interactions in at present’s age, how vital is that this platform to you as an artist? Other than the rising demand for dance problem movies that permit artists from throughout labels to attach on a shared platform, what different methods are you to achieve out to your followers on a extra relatable scale on social media?
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Kino: TikTok is a well-used platform, not just for me, however for a lot of artists everywhere in the world. Individuals are actually in a position to get pleasure from music with their eyes as properly and I really feel prefer it’s optimized for selling music to individuals. It is really very straightforward to intuitively convey the feelings I really feel by music. I share extra of my tales on socials now and ask followers to share their tales, so we will perceive one another higher. There are different methods to advertise varied music, akin to pageant appearances or Instagram background music. There are various shops, it’s as much as how artists make the most of them.
Divulging the “most vital factor for a musician”
HT: It is evident that you just’ve considerably shifted your musical route by releasing extra English songs. Within the period of TikTok, the place songs can acquire recognition by dance challenges, do you are feeling compelled to tailor your music to suit these traits? Or are you extra inclined to remain true to your artistic imaginative and prescient and private tales, whatever the present fads?
Kino: In fact, a very powerful factor for a musician is to inform individuals their story, their values and their music. I additionally put that first. However being delicate to and following the traits can be an vital advantage for artists residing on this day. All of us have to hold this steadiness.
Ok-pop star breaks down the perpetual cycle of comebacks and competitors within the {industry}
HT: As a fan, one could also be overwhelmed seeing the variety of comebacks (from varied artists) stacked up each month. So, nearly daily, we see new music being launched by Ok-pop idols, which is considerably increased than how a lot music most Western artists put out in a yr. One can’t assist however consider the sturdy sense of competitors effervescent up, however clearly, as an outsider, one can’t communicate for the artists. Do you, as a singer who’s been related to the Ok-pop model for over a decade (together with your coaching interval), view this sense of competitors as one thing destructive? Or does it encourage you?
Kino: I feel that is each a power and a weak point of Ok-pop. Such competitors has led to the speedy progress and perfection of Ok-pop, however on the identical time, it has exhausted many singers and other people within the {industry}. That is important in a quickly altering world, however we should not neglect that corporations and other people should deal with the minds of artists as properly. In competitors, there are at all times losers, and artists shouldn’t really feel defeated for his or her work. We must always not encourage competitors to change into a supply of motivation. I attempt to look on the constructive facet and take what I can from it, but in addition discover the steadiness from it.
HT: Talking of comebacks, I assume your calendar should normally be full of infinite schedules whereas getting ready for brand new music. Is there any routine you observe throughout all of it to make sure a wholesome life-style, prioritising your well-being so that you just don’t get sick amid all of the sleepless nights and immense onerous work?
Kino: There’s nothing particular. You must eat properly and take dietary dietary supplements. Taking good care of your bodily and psychological well being is the highest precedence. You must be wholesome to maintain a wholesome thoughts. It’s the sturdy psychological well being that makes the massive distinction, in spite of everything.
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HT: Having spent almost all of your early youth of life getting ready in your music profession, what finally retains you going regardless of the breathlessness of the Ok-pop {industry}?
Kino: It is an apparent reply, it is followers’ love. The fixed love they present retains me shifting. Typically I wish to quit, however by speaking to them I get up and get going once more. They’re at all times my greatest driving pressure.
Transitioning from his function as a member of a Ok-pop boy group to a soloist
HT: Delving deeper into your transition from being a PENTAGON member to now being a soloist: How did you adapt to this jarring swap, particularly because you’re not sharing the stage with anybody else? I presume that having the members round you’d provide a way of safety and luxury, however now that you need to push by it alone, what’s that have like?
Kino: I am used to being alone, so I principally can get by, however there are occasions when their absence hits me. It is slightly unhappy that I haven’t got members who I name a household round me, who will help me, or [I can] lean on to once I’m struggling. It is onerous, however I feel it is a second, in fact, to undergo. And most significantly, I am OK as a result of they’re nonetheless my greatest supporters.
HT: Wish to paint you a hypothetical state of affairs. Contemplate if, in an alternate universe, you had been provided a assured entry into the Ok-pop world with out having to place your self by a number of years of rigorous coaching interval that you just went by earlier than debuting (which I assume would have known as for a lot of sacrifices and pains), would you have got picked that shortcut or nonetheless chosen to have undergone all of your coaching regardless of how painful it could have been?
Kino: I do not desire a free go, coming from one thing no efforts have gotten into it. It is the identical now, and I do not suppose something will change if I’m going again to that point. I do know I am grateful for the time prior to now, and I like who I’m now. The lengthy trainee interval has been troublesome, but it surely has been price it. It made me who I’m now.
Kino on the significance of his one-man label, Bare, and his viral guerrilla advertising tactic at Coachella
HT: Talking of your unique label, NAKED: You’ve beforehand talked about what that title means and the way it meaningfully correlates along with your new journey as a soloist. Did you give you it your self? On high of that, you additionally promoted your newest comeback by yourself by pushing for the guerilla advertising technique at Coachella 2024. How did this self-marketing tactic come into existence? Was it a collective choice that you just and different creatives at NAKED got here up with, or did you notably push to go this fashion your self?
Kino: I selected the title NAKED just because it is the phrase I like. It is daring but lovely on the identical time. I’ve thought of lots of different choices when naming the corporate, however I have never had a good selection as NAKED. I feel it was your best option.
And the self-promoting thought began with a really small dialog. On our strategy to Coachella, we had been fascinated by methods to advertise our music, and this concept was one thing that we may execute if we had the braveness to hold out the concepts ourselves. We instantly purchased the supplies at a mart, wrote and carried it round. It was attention-grabbing to see how strangers reacted to my track and I gained extra confidence with the excessive score they gave out. I encountered Simu Liu, which was additionally a coincidence. I could not imagine he was proper in entrance of me, and I went up and in addition obtained him to charge my track.
HT: Having based this firm, you’re like your personal boss now. Has it been troublesome so that you can steadiness the a number of obligations of a singer/performer and the founding father of this label? Or do you are feeling extra in charge of your future as an artist going ahead?
Kino: It is not straightforward to steadiness out what I wish to do as an artist and what I have to do to run an organization and discover the center floor. However every time I’ve a state of affairs the place I’ve to make these troublesome decisions, I’ve NAKED, who helps me make good decisions. That’s how I don’t mess issues up.
HT: From a extra enterprise viewpoint, NAKED is a comparatively new label. Are you actively opening your organization to different artists sooner or later, or will it simply be an unique enterprise centred round your tasks shifting ahead?
Kino: In fact, NAKED shall be with nice artists sooner or later. The corporate’s aim from Day 1 has been changing into “the artist collective for the trendiest, most individualistic artists,” and that hasn’t modified. We’ll recruit the perfect artists and make the perfect teams. However proper now, our high precedence is to take KINO to the subsequent stage.
HT: Returning to questions on your creative self: Even earlier than formally debuting as a soloist, you’ve additionally labored on some tracks as a PENTAGON member. Are there any songs (on each of those journeys) which might be the closest to your coronary heart? Is there a specific observe that was the toughest to work on?
Kino: My favorite track is Spring Snow. Once I was engaged on this track, I felt a terrific love for the followers and the members, and I feel that feeling really was properly delivered to listeners. It is a very powerful level when making and releasing music, and I am proud that the track did that. On the identical time, it was additionally probably the most troublesome track to make. I had almost 200 tracks, and it was a style I might by no means tried earlier than, so I had lots of failures till the ultimate outcome got here out. I held on to it for nearly half a yr. However the outcome is superb!
Goals of conquering a brand new creative format
HT: You’re a multifaceted artist – an distinctive dancer, singer, songwriter, and a lot extra – who has additionally overtly explored different artwork types, like portray and style. Is there another subject of artwork that you just wish to pursue sooner or later?
Kino: I at all times thought that I wished to behave sometime. Performing is just like what I do on stage, but it surely has a really completely different expression, and for some purpose, I feel I can do it properly. If there’s a good alternative for me, I actually wish to attempt it!
HT: Furthermore, you additionally discovered a creative breakthrough on the Artwork Street showcase. Might you introduce your private expertise? Not many individuals are absolutely conscious of what that second was like. How did this chance assist unlock a brand new chapter of your creative id? Did you study one thing new about your self as an artist and even as an individual whereas pursuing this challenge?
Kino: The Artwork Street present was a beautiful expertise that broadened my creative view. To briefly describe the challenge –making a efficiency that mixes music and artwork, and everybody within the {industry} who noticed it mentioned, “I’ve by no means seen a efficiency like this in my life!” It was a brand new try and have become an enormous inspiration for me. I noticed a brand new chance. It additionally made me suppose that future performances do not essentially should be centered solely on “music”.
HT: On the finish of the street, what do you want to be remembered for probably the most? How would you describe KINO to somebody pretty new to your music?
Kino: To individuals, I wish to be remembered as “a human being who lives the identical life like themselves” reasonably than a star who resides in their very own world.” I wish to change into an artist with whom they will empathize, share the identical emotions, and lean on one another. My aim is to symbolize their emotions and make music that’s at all times lingering of their ears.
What’s subsequent for Kino and Pentagon?
HT: Though you’ve simply blessed your followers with new music, what can they stay up for subsequent? As for all of the PENTAGON followers, can they maintain on to the hope of the group’s reunion someday sooner or later, even when only for one track?
Kino: I’ll proceed to pursue a solo artist profession as I’m doing now, and on the identical time, we’re all considering and planning our future collectively. PENTAGON has a lifelong dedication and means greater than a “group” to us. We are going to reunite and work collectively it doesn’t matter what. There may be not a single factor to fret about on this space.
Kino and his reference to India
Following its early Might debut, the Broke My Coronary heart hitmaker’s first EP was #1 on the Indian iTunes Albums Chart. On high of that, India was the third “most-viewed” nation for his music video.
HT: Lastly, particularly because it’s been delivered to our consideration that Broke My Coronary heart topped the iTunes chart in India, and a terrific many viewers additionally joined in to stream your music video from right here, do you have got any plans to go to us for a present sooner or later?
Kino: I simply wish to say “thanks a lot” to the followers in India who gave me a lot love. I am always looking for a strategy to meet all of you in particular person. So, should you wait slightly bit, I will be proper there. Additionally, in case you are a music {industry} insider and studying this, if in case you have an excellent alternative for me, please attain out to me anytime!
