Album marks move beyond familiar sounds of past, toward broader musical influences
Day6’s Wonpil unveils his highly anticipated solo EP, “Unpiltered,” signaling a bold new chapter in his musical journey. This release showcases his exploration of diverse sounds and genres he’s always been passionate about.
Set to drop at 6 p.m. on Monday, “Unpiltered” is Wonpil’s first solo project since his 2022 LP, “Pilmography.” While “Pilmography” offered a warm and comforting vibe, “Unpiltered” promises a broader, more experimental soundscape.
This EP represents a significant shift in both tone and creative process. Wonpil shared that his eclectic taste in music has always been a driving force, and now he’s bringing those sonic visions to life. He cites rhythmic pop and influences from artists like OneRepublic as key inspirations for “Unpiltered.”
A pivotal element of this transformation is his reunion with JYP Entertainment’s acclaimed in-house producer, Lee Woo-min (also known as Collapsedone), after eight years. Lee previously collaborated on Day6’s iconic hits like “Congratulations,” “You Were Beautiful,” and “Somehow.” For “Unpiltered,” Lee co-composed three of the seven tracks, including the title track, “Highs and Lows.”
Wonpil emphasized the strong creative synergy he shares with Lee as a primary reason for their renewed collaboration.
“I first met Woo-min before my debut, and when we worked on ‘Congratulations’ together, I remember thinking at the time how remarkable our chemistry was that helped us work so well together,” Wonpil explained. “That stayed with me up until now, and I wanted to work with someone who could translate my story into music in the way I envisioned.”
He further noted that their creative connection remained seamless, despite the years apart.
“Even though we hadn’t worked together since 2018, it still felt the same,” he said. “It felt like meeting a comrade again after being apart for a long time.”
According to Wonpil, Lee expertly translated his abstract sonic ideas into tangible musical realities.
“I really like Woo-min’s sound, so I listened to his other works even when I wasn’t working with him,” Wonpil said. “For this album, I wanted to show a new side of myself, and I knew he would be the right person to help bring that to life.”
The result, he confirms, closely aligns with his envisioned sound and artistic direction.
Wonpil shared that his Day6 bandmates have also responded positively to his new musical direction. Bassist Young K and drummer Dowoon immediately recognized “Highs and Lows” as a strong contender for the title track, while guitarist Sungjin lauded Wonpil’s willingness to break away from his established style.
However, Wonpil maintains that his musical evolution is ongoing and doesn’t consider this album the definitive statement of his artistic identity.
“I’m not completely satisfied with this album — in fact, I have never felt completely satisfied with my work,” he stated. “I don’t think I should ever learn to be satisfied with my work and settle into one music style. I want to develop more from here and continue to try something new.”
Following the release of “Unpiltered,” Wonpil will continue Day6’s “The Decade” tour, with upcoming stops in Singapore, Tokyo, Macao, Busan, and Kobe, Japan, through June. He’s also scheduled to hold a three-day solo concert at Jamsil Arena in southern Seoul from May 1 to 3.
For both the album and his concerts, Wonpil hopes to convey a central message to his fans: Neither Day6 nor he, as an individual artist, should be confined by genre or stylistic expectations.
“I always want to do something that our fans, My Day, will enjoy — not just something that makes me look cool,” Wonpil said with a smile. “For this album, I hope they won’t worry too much about the struggles reflected in it, but see it as me trying something new.”
