KINO’s Solo Debut Is Music For Your Ears and For Your Heart
In a groundbreaking and authentic move, KINO, a member of the K-pop group PENTAGON, released his highly-anticipated debut solo EP, If This Is Love, I Want A Refund, on May 2. Embracing a fresh musical direction, KINO introduces listeners to his world of “easy-listening pop.”
With five tracks packed with melodic charm, KINO’s solo debut marks a pivotal moment in his artistic journey. In December 2023, KINO established his own agency and label called NAKED. His new solo venture reflects the company’s ethos of presenting an unfiltered, genuine self to the world.
“I always dreamed about becoming a solo artist. And I thought it was the right timing and I felt like I was ready for it,” KINO shared with EnVi. “Then the follow-up question in my head was ‘What artist do I have to be and how do I do it?’ And the answer was I do it myself. So yeah, here we are.”
In an exclusive Zoom interview, KINO spoke with EnVi and delved into his creative mind as he shared insights about his latest release, reflected on his touring experience, and explored the intersectionality among various art forms.
If This Is Love, I Want A Refund
In his EP If This Is Love, I Want A Refund, KINO goes through the intricate phases of a relationship, conveying the emotions of betrayal, heartbreak, and the eventual pursuit of new love. Reflecting on the album’s thematic depth, KINO explained that he also explores a person being cheated. He added, “I tried to stay real with the lyrics.”
The 26-year-old takes on a new sound with this project. Departing from the style of his previous music and singing primarily in English this time, KINO explained, “In terms of music, it’s totally different [from] PENTAGON’s. Back then it was mostly hip-hop and or dance music, but now it’s more easier-listening pop. Yeah, the music will be more relatable and witty. And then I’m gonna focus a little more on sharing my feelings and experience [with] my listeners.”
The album features a collection of tracks that offer a glimpse into KINO’s interpretation of life and love. From the infectious pop anthem “Fashion Style” to the up-tempo dance track “Freaky Love,” each song explores different aspects of love and longing. While KINO sings about how listeners are beautiful the way they are and should be themselves in “Fashion Style,” he speaks about falling in love within two seconds of meeting a person and being in love with the idea of being with them in “Freaky Love.”
“‘Freaky Love’ represents the moment we fall in love instantly. I was inspired by the word ‘Delulu’ from my fans’ comments,” KINO mused. He further explained that this behavior is just one of many feelings expressed in the EP, with other songs exploring different sentiments such as heartbreak and wishing ill upon someone’s daily life.
Within a week of the album’s release, KINO shared a performance video of the catchy pop track “Solo,” which is about a couple who have broken up after accepting their differences, on YouTube. In the video, he showcased the dancing skills he has honed from his time as the main dancer in PENTAGON. The hitmaker then released a live clip of “Valentine,” a track that highlights his fluid vocals with its emotional yet head-bobbing vibe. In “Valentine,” KINO pleads with his love interest to not let him down again and to be his Valentine, evoking a sense of yearning and vulnerability.
Each song is paired with a stunning visual on YouTube, enhancing the listening experience for fans. “The visual direction will be loved by my fans, I think,” KINO shared. He continued speaking of the two versions of the physical album released, “I came up with two visual directions as well. One is Expectation version and another one is Reality version.”
He explained the Expectation version portrays a picture-perfect relationship that most people hope to be in. The Reality version, however, shows the negative sides of a broken love. He added, “I’ve made a lot of content for my fans to experience each song of the album, so I hope they follow my socials for more.”
KINO further engaged with audiences by interacting with fans and fellow music lovers at Coachella. During the festival, he held a handmade sign that read “Discovered any new artists? Now you have. Big drop on May 2nd” with his name and Instagram handle written on the bottom. “I only hope that my fans and my listeners can empathize [with] the feelings and experience with me through my lyrics. They [are reminded] of their life and their own love stories,” KINO said. “So, that’s what I’m saying, that this album will be a diary to all of us.”
All About “Broke My Heart”
The title track of the EP, “Broke My Heart,” features American rapper Lay Bankz, who is well-known for her viral hit, “Tell Ur Girlfriend.” KINO described the song as a narrative about overcoming betrayal with a twist of humor. “‘Broke My Heart,’ the song is a story about a person who got cheated. But instead of crying or being sad, we wish the worst for them in their [everyday] life. As I mentioned, it’s really more realistic,” KINO revealed. “So fun and witty lyrics and it also makes me laugh. And I think you will feel the same.”
In terms of genre, KINO considers the song to be pop with elements of Jersey club, hip-hop, and R&B. He attributes the diverse sound to Bankz’s talent and contribution to the track. He added, “It was my first time to collaborate with [an] American artist and also rap artist as a solo [artist]. So it was amazing and she was so talented. I just imagined that she’s a good singer, and she’s a good rapper, but [she’s also] a good dancer. The main choreography in the video was made on the spot at the music video spot.”
Filming the music video in Philadelphia was a memorable experience for KINO due to the spontaneous choreography created on the set. He expressed confidence that the dance, rooted in Jersey club influences, will resonate with audiences on TikTok.
KINO also mentioned being in awe of Bankz’ age, noting that the rapper is only 19 years old. He said that might be the reason he thought “the energy was so crazy.” KINO laughed as he remarked, “My younger sister [was] born in 2003 and she’s such a baby to me. But Lay Bankz, I respect her as [an] artist, so I feel guilty to my little sister.”
KINO’s Artistic Evolution
With writing and composition credits throughout If This Is Love, I Want A Refund, KINO solidifies his position as a versatile artist skilled in crafting magnetic music. His musical direction is dynamic and boundary-breaking, as he rejects the constraints of genre. KINO shared with EnVi, “I make music that your ear and heart reacts to. And I don’t put a limit to a certain genre and I don’t compromise on quality too.” He elaborated, “[I am] actually planning a lot so if you follow my musical journey, it won’t be boring, and you will have fun experiencing the picture coming together.”
The multihyphenate’s creative process involves experimentation and growth, particularly in master production and adapting to evolving music consumption habits. KINO explained, “I’m trying to learn and try something new every single day to make my music and in my [work].”
Reflecting on changes in his approach, KINO acknowledged, “Now, the length of my songs are more compact to meet the needs of people who want to consume quickly,” he noted. “But it still contains the stories and the messages I want to share through my music so don’t worry,” he added reassuringly with a laugh.
Diverse genres and storytelling also drive KINO’s creative process, allowing him to adapt his musical style and genre to the narratives he wants to convey. He said it’s entertaining, and he enjoys experimenting with different music styles and themes in his music. KINO also added his thoughts on the variety of genres in his new EP: “This is because the story of the songs controls the mood.” He elaborated, “If someone asks what kind of music KINO does, you can introduce this answer: [It] is not limited to one genre; it’s about expressing feelings.”
On the Road Alone
KINO wrapped up his five-city Asia tour on May 1. During this tour, which took him to Seoul, Taipei, Hong Kong, Yokohama, and Osaka, KINO navigated the exhilarating yet challenging transition from group dynamics to a solo spotlight. Reflecting on the tour’s significance, he recalled, “When I was planning the tour, I was a little worried whether I could pull this off. So now I’m really grateful to tour across Asia and also I could see my potential as a solo artist while doing this.”
He laughed as he continued, “But actually sometimes I miss my team because it’s too lonely on the stage when I talk [by] myself but yeah, it’s really fun. I’m hoping to present this great show to my Universe around the world.”
While reveling in the opportunity to connect with Universe — PENTAGON’s fans — KINO admitted that he struggles with language barriers, since he now navigates these interactions without the support of multilingual bandmates. He explained, “Interacting with my fans is not that difficult to me but the most difficult side is talking in another language. Because my members are, some of my members are good at Chinese, some of my members are good at English, some of my members are good at Japanese. So if I’m stuck with the limit in my language, they always helped me but now nobody can help me. So, I feel I missed them.”
Transitioning from the collective identity of PENTAGON to establishing himself as a solo artist has presented its own challenges. KINO reflected on his journey so far, “The biggest challenge was figuring out what people expected from KINO [the] solo artist because it’s definitely different from being in a team, right? Surely I still don’t know the right answer. But I think I found what I could do best. By going to people who knew me well and asking people who didn’t know me, well then I’ve figured [it] out a little bit.” Despite these initial uncertainties, KINO’s commitment to self-discovery and artistic growth pushes him further on his solo path with a promising future for both himself and his devoted fans.
The Intersection Among Art
Kino is a versatile artist with years of painting experience, and he has been invited to exhibit his artwork at the World Art Expo 2024. For KINO, the world of art extends beyond just music: “I am the type that [has] interest in various genres like different channels of music, making music, fashion, art, and dancing.”
Across these mediums, KINO finds solace and a deeper understanding of life. He shared, “All of the arts are the medium through which I express my life and feelings. They always give me comfort, tension, and meaning to live. I also feel my creativity improves at the same time…”
The intersection of music, painting, and fashion has significantly shaped KINO’s creative process. He described how music influences his art, saying, “When I make music or when I listen to music, or when I paint or when I go to [a] museum to see some artworks from a lot of great artists, I just [get] a lot of inspiration from them.” He continued, “So I just convert those to my new art, my new creations. When I first started painting, my dad said to me that ‘Art is unity,’ and my dad was sure it [would] help my music. And it actually did.”
KINO believes each art form complements and enhances the other. “When I listen to music, I think of a certain color, and I paint with that color that I mentioned. And when I look at the picture with that music, those two things are a perfect match,” he revealed.
As a fashion enthusiast, KINO also found inspiration during his experience at New York Fashion Week. “The people and clothes in that space have inspired me a lot. I took a lot of photos,” he said. The experience motivated him, and he left the event with the thought, “Now it’s time to make a new album with that.”
What’s Next for KINO?
Looking ahead, KINO strives to carve out a unique path in the ever-evolving music industry. He expressed, “My goal and my label’s goal is to raise and manage the most trendy artists. But first of all, I need to build my good career so that I can set an example for them. I have no doubt NAKED will get there.”
Fans can anticipate seeing KINO on Mnet’s M Countdown on May 2. He will also be interacting with fans through in-person and video call fan signing events on May 6, May 11, and May 19, with more information available on Weverse.
In a closing message to his fans, KINO shared, “I have a lot to say to them but the most important thing is, I hope they know that the only thing I think about [nowadays] is how can I understand and how can I empathize and do music with my listeners for the rest of my life…I will try my best. So please let us be each other’s musical companion forever, my fans and EnVi readers.”
Be sure to listen to If This Is Love, I Want A Refund on Spotify, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. To stay up to date with KINO, fans can follow the group on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Weverse.
Interested in more EnVi exclusives? Checkout our interview with Car, the garden here!
