by martina rexrode
photo courtesy of kihyun
For KIHYUN, making and releasing music as a K-pop idol is about more than just the act itself. It’s about the thought behind every lyric and the experiences that led him to where his career is today. After more than a decade as an active member of third-generation boy group MONSTA X, KIHYUN first tested the waters as a soloist back in 2022 with two impressive mini-albums. Now, in his first solo release since completing his mandatory military service, he’s back with BORDERLINE, a new EP that celebrates the blood, sweat, and tears that go into finding oneself and wading through murky waters. We spoke to KIHYUN about this project, his recent activities with MONSTA X, and what is still on his list as a soloist.
First of all, congratulations on your recent EP, BORDERLINE. What are your feelings about this project as you approach the first full month since its release?
KIHYUN: “It still feels a little surreal that it’s already been almost a month since I shared an album that I spent so much time preparing. I think this album is about more than simply showing people new music. It also captures the process of figuring out what kind of music I want to make. After putting a lot of thought into it, I trusted the direction I wanted to take and followed it through to the end. I’m grateful that those feelings seem to be coming across. I hope people can listen to the album comfortably and enjoy it in their own moments.”
What messages did you hope to convey to listeners and MONBEBE with these tracks?
KIHYUN: “This album is about ‘the process of finding myself.’ Rather than saying that I’ve found the right answer, I wanted to capture the process of trusting your own direction and moving forward, even when you feel uncertain or shaken. Everyone goes through uncertain moments, but I believe those experiences are also part of what shapes who we are today. I hope MONBEBE can find some comfort and strength in this album and feel encouraged to believe in themselves and keep moving forward, even during uncertain times.”
What led to the decision of releasing an English version of “So Good”?
KIHYUN: “I wanted to share the song’s positive energy and message with more MONBEBE around the world, which led us to prepare an English version. I believe that even though the language may be different, the emotions you feel through music can still be the same. More than anything, I wanted more people to be able to enjoy the song comfortably.”
Since the English and Korean lyrics are quite different, what differences did you notice or feel between the two versions?
KIHYUN: “When I first heard the demo, I really liked the atmosphere and energy of the song, and I wanted to express that feeling in a different way as well. Although the melody is the same, I think the Korean and English versions each have their own charm in how they express those emotions. If the Korean version conveys the feelings a little more directly, the English version has a slightly different atmosphere and energy. With both versions, I focused on making sure the positive feeling of the song came through.”
How did MONSTA X’s successful English albums help you perform a fully-English track on your own?
KIHYUN: “While preparing English albums with MONSTA X, I learned a lot about how to convey emotions through music even when the language is different. It helped to have experience thinking not only about pronunciation and expressions, but also about how to deliver the same meaning in a way that sounds natural. With this solo English track, I focused less on the language itself and more on conveying the song’s emotions and message.”
You’re able to show off many different aspects of your voice and performance style within the seven tracks — my personal favorite is “Stealin’ Air.” Which b-side did you find yourself enjoying the most while recording, and which do you resonate with right now?
KIHYUN: “I think ‘Stealin’ Air’ is probably the song I’m most satisfied with from the recording process. I usually finish recording a song within two hours, but this one took three and a half hours. I spent those three and a half hours trying to bring out every detail I could in the song, so I’m really satisfied with how it turned out. Try listening to it two or three times instead of just once and see if you can pick up on all the details. As for the song I relate to the most right now, I think it would have to be ‘So Good.’ When you’re in an uncertain situation where you don’t know what the right answer is and no one knows what lies ahead, there’s a sense of freedom that comes from simply moving forward based on your own choices. That feeling of satisfaction really reflects where I am in life these days.”
This is your first full release since completing your military service early last year. What were your initial feelings when the planning process began for BORDERLINE? Were you nervous, or did it help that you’d already released UNFOLD with MONSTA X to get you all back on stage together?
KIHYUN: “Since this was my first solo album after completing my military service, I think I gave it even more thought than usual. Rather than focusing on what kind of image I should show, I wanted to focus on what kind of music I wanted to make at this point in my life. I did feel some pressure and nervousness about performing on my own, but I was also excited to show a new side of myself. The experiences I’ve gained through my activities with MONSTA X were a huge help in preparing this album, and they also had a big influence on how I approach the stage.”
What are you looking forward to in your future (personally and creatively) now that this EP is out in the world?
KIHYUN: “Through this album, I realized that there’s still so much more I can show in the future. I feel like there are still many songs and stories I haven’t been able to share yet. In the past, I thought I had to find the perfect answer before moving forward, but now I feel like I’ve learned to trust the process itself and keep going. Moving forward, I want to be an artist who can share different stories by putting my experiences and emotions into my music.”