“I’ve returned with quality and a message more confident than ever before. Through these promotions, I will firmly establish my musical identity, showing everyone, ‘This is the kind of music Kihyun makes.'”
MONSTA X’s Kihyun makes his highly anticipated return as a solo artist after approximately four years. Transitioning from the passionate youth and dilemmas of his twenties into his thirties, his third solo album marks both a definitive ‘period’ and a fresh ‘stamp’ on his evolving musical identity.
Kihyun recently held a press conference at Starship Entertainment’s headquarters in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, to celebrate the release of his latest solo album, ‘BORDERLINE’.
The title track, ‘So Good,’ delves into the theme of liberation and freedom. It’s about finding true release when one chooses to trust their own instincts and decisions, rather than conforming to the myriad ‘correct answers’ dictated by external pressures.
Kihyun elaborated on the title track, highlighting its complexity: “The vocal difficulty of ‘So Good’ is significantly higher than any song from my previous two solo albums.” He added, “All seven tracks on this album boast a powerful, dynamic, and assertive sound. Amidst this intensity, ‘So Good’ uniquely showcases my distinct vocal color and best represents my current standing as an artist. Despite being a personal challenge, I ultimately chose it as the title track.”
Kihyun’s initial encounter with ‘So Good’ was nothing short of serendipitous. He vividly recalls the moment he first heard the track in a waiting room during the U.S. ‘Jingle Ball’ tour last December, feeling an immediate connection.
“‘I was in the tour waiting room when my manager played ‘So Good,’ asking for my thoughts,’ Kihyun recounted. ‘From the very first listen, the song lingered in my mind, utterly captivating me. I was immediately convinced it was the perfect track to embody the slightly husky, rock-optimized vocal style I’ve always strived for.’ He admitted, ‘Though four other songs on the album were strong contenders for the title, ‘So Good’ consistently left the most profound impression on me, compelling me to choose it as the ultimate title track.'”
Given his decade-long career and having recently entered his thirties, what exactly does Kihyun mean by ‘where I stand now’? He reflected on his solo discography, articulating the profound significance and unique weight of this latest album.
Kihyun elaborated on his solo journey: “If my first solo album, ‘Voyager,’ marked an exhilarating beginning as a solo vocalist, allowing me to experiment and express myself freely, then my second album, ‘Youth,’ was a journey of reconnecting with pure emotions and the essence of youth, gradually consolidating my unique musical identity. Now, as I embrace my thirties, this third album serves as a definitive seal, solidifying the musical colors I’ve cultivated over time.”
Kihyun further emphasized, “Just as my life continues to mature, my music has evolved in parallel. I firmly believe I have now reached a point where I can perfectly present ‘my own unique music’ to the world.”
‘BORDERLINE’ is slated for release on July 7th at 6 PM KST, available across all major online music platforms.
