Winner's Kang Seung-yoon's second full-length solo album PAGE 2 is finally being released today (3rd) at 6 p.m.
PAGE 2 is like a short story collection album that unravels various emotions encountered in everyday life with Kang Seung-yoon's delicate sensibility and phrasing. As this is his first solo record in about 4 years and 7 months and Kang Seung-yoon personally led everything from producing all tracks to visuals and promotion planning, it is drawing more attention than ever.
Especially, through the sampler video released the day before, parts of the audio from 13 tracks were unveiled, heightening expectations. The diverse genres — dance, R&B, rock and ballad — each with sincere narratives offered a deeper glimpse into his musical world. Kang Seung-yoon said, "I wanted to faithfully record the feelings that arise in each moment and the passing memories. I hope you enjoy the newly unfolding stories as you move through the tracks."
The following are Kang Seung-yoon's second round of questions and answers.
Q. If you had to describe your second full-length album PAGE 2 with one keyword?
A. I would say "multifaceted." The 13 tracks each sing different emotions and different stories, but I thought they were all other faces derived from my inner self. We used a lot of origami imagery in the album package and teasers, and just as folding paper continues to create new faces, I wanted to convey that the person Kang Seung-yoon also has many different sides.
Q. Please introduce the title track "ME (美)".
A. It is an upbeat dance song with synth-pop and rock sounds added. Above all, it's a comfortable listen and I felt it best represents this album, so I chose it as the title track. If you look into the lyrics, many opposing expressions appear, such as "soft yet sharp" and "calm yet rough." I hope listeners find and enjoy the parts that depict that multifaceted beauty.
Q. Is there a message you want to convey through "ME (美)"?
A. Like the repeated line in the chorus "美 and shake that beauty," the message is to boldly shake the beauty of youth and enjoy it to the fullest. I also wanted to bind in music the memories of my youth that I remember and the precious present memories I hope will be kept forever. I hope listeners also enjoy this song as if capturing their own brilliantly colored times.
Q. The music video was also completed with a bright, refreshing mood. Any viewing points?
A. I wanted to capture things that make you feel "youth" just by looking at them. Rather than being obsessed with the meaning or age associated with the word youth, I wanted to capture the momentary beauty that shines on its own. So the music video contains many scenes that embody a free atmosphere, such as going on a road trip with friends or skateboarding across a wide field. You could say it's a video that plainly records moments sparkling with youth.
Q. Unlike the first full-length album, this title track is a dance genre. What kind of performance can we expect?
A. I can confidently say it is the performance I like the most across all my activities so far. The picture I imagined while working on this song was expressed as I envisioned, and the choreography suits the overall upbeat mood, so I'm very satisfied. In particular, there's a move where a rubber band is attached to a stand microphone to express various shapes; I think it's a fun point and hope people pay attention to it.
Q. The album contains as many as 13 tracks. Is there a particular track you are more attached to?
A. Of course I have great affection for every track, but I think "I'll come pick you up (Feat. Eun Ji-won)" might be a bit more special for both fans and me. This song is a fan song for Inner Circle (the fandom name) from start to finish. I poured my sincere desire to be a strong presence for those who always stand by me. "Separation anxiety," written from the perspective of my dog Thor, is also a very tender and meaningful song to me.
Q. Can you explain the difference between this album and the first full-length PAGE?
A. If PAGE was mostly about my thoughts and stories, PAGE 2 is an album with added diversity and depth. There are songs born from imagination rather than my own experiences, such as "Beoseonbal," which was inspired by imagining scenes from a fusion historical drama, and "Even if it's a lie (Feat. Horyun)," which was made after watching reality programs about separated lovers. Sometimes I worked like a novelist creating new stories, and sometimes like an actor performing fictional situations.
Q. How do you hope listeners will listen to this album?
A. Since the album contains tracks with various moods, if there are songs you like or feel drawn to, I hope you add them to different playlists and enjoy them according to the situation. For example, for a drive, try faster-tempo songs like "ME (美)," and when you want to rest comfortably, listen to calm, emotional tracks like "Sky Roof."
Q. What kind of impression do you want to leave on the public with PAGE 2?
A. I hope to be seen as an artist people look forward to hearing from next time. I want to shed some of the image the public has had of me and show that Kang Seung-yoon has these facets too — prompting curiosity about what music I will bring next. I want to be someone who does not stay in one place but continually finds new paths.
Q. You've been tirelessly active across various fields. What drives you?
A. My dream is to be someone my fans, my family, my colleagues and my precious friends can be proud of. That goal is the driving force that makes me live harder. I think it's a happy thing to have a role somewhere as myself, and if there is a place that needs me, I want to gladly run there and join in.
Q. You must be very busy preparing for the comeback. Any spoilers about your activities?
A. Since this album is being released after a long time, I greatly feel like starting again from the beginning with a rookie's mindset. My schedule is packed with broadcasts, YouTube and radio, and I'm busier than ever. I'm constantly coming up with ideas on how to let more people hear my music, so you can look forward to that. Also, this title track challenge is really cute, and because it's not a dance challenge, anyone can participate comfortably without long preparation. I hope fans and the public enjoy joining in.
Q. This is truly an album filled with "Kang Seung-yoon." Is there anything you want to say to yourself through PAGE 2?
A. First, I want to pat myself on the back and say you did well. Especially this time, working through the entire album production I experienced many new things and really enjoyed it. I think it was a wonderful process above any result. I hope I become someone who can focus on the next step with what I learned from PAGE 2, and I want to continue showing growth going forward.
[Photo] YG Entertainment
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