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Winner Kang Seung-yoon revealed to music fans the intense work process leading up to the release as his solo comeback was four days away.
Kang Seung-yoon will release his second solo full-length album [PAGE 2] on Nov. 3. The album contains a total of 13 tracks — including the title track ME (美), 'Beoseonbal', 'Sarangnori (Feat. Seulgi)', 'SEVEN DAYS', 'Separation anxiety', 'I'll pick you up (Feat. Eun Ji-won)', 'It might be the last', 'CUT', 'HOMELESS', 'Far away, far away', 'Even if it's a lie (Feat. Horyun)', 'Busybody', and 'Sky roof' — and all were produced personally by Kang Seung-yoon.
It captures a musical world that is deeper and wider than his first full-length album [PAGE]. This album, imbued with his sensibility, weaves together various emotions that anyone can relate to, like a collection of short pieces. Kang Seung-yoon said he worked hard to complete a gift-like time for fans who anticipated it and asked that they happily enjoy it as he greets them through various activities along with good music.
The following is the first Q&A with Kang Seung-yoon.
Q. You are releasing a solo album for the first time in 4 years and 7 months. How do you feel about your comeback?
A. I'm happy to present a solo full-length album after a long time. It would be a lie to say I wasn't worried because of the hiatus. (laughs) But I'm excited to be able to fill the album with the music I've worked on and poured my affection into and share it with fans.
Q. Please introduce [PAGE 2].
A. It's both a continuation of my first full-length album [PAGE] and an expansion of the spectrum. I tried various styles before, but if that was within a small frame, [PAGE 2] expands from a larger frame, aiming for completeness in genre, depth and all aspects. In the past I included autobiographical content within the music people expected from Kang Seung-yoon and Winner's style, but this time I freely unfolded the music I wanted to make. I've received a lot of feedback that vocally and lyrically the music has deepened. (laughs) My distinctive traits haven't changed; rather, I think [PAGE 2] is the result of artist Kang Seung-yoon's music expanding and growing.
Q. Was there any particular point you paid attention to when arranging the tracklist?
A. I agonized a lot. Usually albums are arranged according to an organic flow between tracks, BPM changes, and a beginning-middle-end like a concert setlist, but I didn't approach it that way this time. Each song has a different style and depicts the emotions of different narrators, making the album a kind of "short story collection." So I focused on emotional changes and their flow. Not every song is a love song, but I arranged them so emotional lines — from the excitement at the start of love to fading relationships and the detached feeling after a breakup — continue. The song-by-song descriptions expressed as emotional keywords will make it even more resonant.
Q. Seulgi, Eun Ji-won and Horyun respectively participated as features on 'Sarangnori', 'I'll pick you up' and 'Even if it's a lie.' How did those collaborations come about?
A. I want to express my gratitude to all three. 'Sarangnori' was originally a solo song, but I thought it would suit a male-female duet better. So I changed the second verse to a female key and a new melody and considered what vocal color would maximize the song's charm. Seulgi's tone came to mind. Despite a very busy schedule, she made time and the song turned out well. 'Even if it's a lie' was also a solo song, but I've long wanted to sing it on stage with my friend Horyun, so I erased the original chords and recreated it as a duet. 'I'll pick you up' was made with the second verse itself thinking of Eun Ji-won hyung. When I asked him to feature he readily agreed. Thanks to all three, the album became richer.
Q. Did you pay particular attention to visual concepts or anything beyond the music?
A. This time I was involved in every process from start to finish. Of course experts in each field contributed, but I didn't want to simply leave anything to others. I kept revising while reviewing the works and shared ideas to create the final products. It was my first time going into the editing room and directly revising the music video. Maybe that's why I feel attached and proud of everything from costumes and visuals to photos and the album package.
Q. You gave a surprise pre-release performance of track 9, 'HOMELESS,' at the Winner Seoul concert held in July.
A. I wanted to share the anticipation and excitement for my upcoming album with the concert. Because the concert preparation period was short, I worried a lot about which song to perform, and I chose 'HOMELESS' because it contains my honest feelings. Since the song asks, 'If fans weren't by my side, what kind of longing would I live with,' I naturally decided to perform it at the concert to convey sincerity.
Q. Is there a memorable episode from working on this album?
A. It's the process of working on track 13, 'Sky roof.' I proceeded a little differently from my usual way. I wanted to create a piece to use as background music for my solo photo exhibition. I improvised a chord and guitar riff and then made a freestyle melody to match the exhibited works. That was the first version of 'Sky roof,' and after arrangements it became the current 'Sky roof.' I wanted to give it to fans like a bonus track.
Q. You wrote and composed every track on this album. As a singer-songwriter, where do you mainly get inspiration and what is your working process?
A. I usually start from a "theme." Sometimes ideas suddenly come to me, and to avoid losing the moment I immediately jot them down or record them as voice memos. Later, when I have a style or genre I want to pursue, I work with producer brothers to lay down chords and sequences and attach fitting keywords as we complete the song. Of course I don't always work the same way; sometimes a striking thought that I didn't write down becomes the starting point.
Q. You've become an artist with a second solo full-length album. What changes did you feel while working on this album?
A. I felt I've grown a lot. As experiences accumulated and I absorbed new cultures, I seem to find direction more quickly and accurately than before. My attitude is the same, but my decisiveness has become much firmer. In the past I hesitated among several alternatives, but now I decide with conviction after sufficient consideration. As a result, I've developed the discernment to persuade staff and experts who work with me. The biggest change might be that I gained confidence and drive in the work process.
Q. Was there a moment when you felt you had turned your own 'PAGE' as the album title suggests?
A. While serving in the military my self-assurance solidified. Among my comrades there was a friend who believed in and pursued his dream and artistry, and I found that impressive. I thought if I don't accept myself as an artist, my creations can't be art, and I was able to shake off anxiety that often came from uncertainty. I resolved that with the belief 'I am an artist who expresses these things,' I would create anything. So I think [PAGE 2] is an album made with conviction and confidence in myself.
Q. The album title connects to your first full-length album. Was there an intent to carry continuity across full-length albums?
A. [PAGE 2] is like a short story collection that gathers songs born in different situations. Similarly, I could fill the next page as much as I want. However, next time I might want to organize songs organically around a single message. Then I would prefer to give it a name that suits that narrative rather than the [PAGE] title.
Q. What are your plans and goals for this promotion?
A. Through this promotion I want to meet fans with as much content as possible. I plan to take a long breath so my music can reach everywhere. And although it's my hope, even if it's not on a large scale, I'd like to do a solo tour. I want to visit fans across the country whom I haven't had many opportunities to meet and Inner Circle fans overseas.
Q. A word for fans who have been waiting for Kang Seung-yoon's solo album
A. I know fans have waited a very long time, so I hope this promotion feels like an even more special gift. I will repay your expectations with good music and a great performance. Thank you for always supporting and loving me, and starting with this album I will come back with more diverse activities, so I hope you enjoy them happily.
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