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The K-Pop star is back with his first album in over two years, sharing with The Hollywood Reporter his excitement and concerns around the album and why performing with SuperM was a core memory for him.
By Nicole Fell
K-Pop star Kai wants you to dive deep into his mind.
The 31-year-old artist, a member of popular boy group EXO, is back with a new solo EP, Wait On Me. The seven-track album, released Monday, marks Kai’s first release in over two years following the completion of his military service.
Kai’s pre-release track “Adult Swim” sets the stage for the album’s refreshingly catchy pop sound. “‘Adult Swim’ is a very meaningful track to me,” the K-Pop star tells The Hollywood Reporter on a Zoom from his agency SM Entertainment’s Seoul headquarters. “If I was the Kai [of a few years ago], I might not have chosen this track.”
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While “Adult Swim” is a great fit for a day at the pool, Wait On Me’s lead single of the same name is perfect for a night out with friends. The Afrobeats infused pop track builds on Kai’s popular singles of the past like “Rover” or “Peaches” to find a sound that feels right at home in his discography.
Below, the global star speaks with THR about performing again after his enlistment, how excited he is to see fans face-to-face again and the pressures that come with being the king of the dance challenge.
What was it like making Wait On Me? Do you have any favorite moments?
I was really excited, but at the same time it was a bit tough because I wanted to meet my fans so quickly. They’ve been waiting, and that’s why we had a tight schedule for production. I actually felt the pressure of making an album after two years. This pressure that I felt came because of the concern and thoughts that I should need to show new sides of myself to the audience. Throughout these two years, what I’ve learned actually made me overcome the concerns.
It was tough throughout the production of the album, but that sort of feeling actually let me release those concerns and really get on board for the production.
Hearing you say you wanted to get back to fans quickly; obviously while you were enlisted you weren’t making music, so that’s a very quick turnaround time. How are you feeling about fans getting to hear the album? Are you excited? Are you nervous, or are you just really ready for them to hear it?
I feel all these emotions at the same time right now. I feel like there’s butterflies and excitement just like I was debuting, but at the same time very nervous. As much as the success and all the records that we’ll gain from this album are important, for me the most important thing is whether I will be able to fulfill the expectations of the fans. This time I wanted to actually aim [for] that with the challenges that I’ll be showing them, so I’m very excited for that.
“Wait On Me” and “Adult Swim” feel a bit different from songs you’ve released before, while also feeling very much like a song you’d release. What was it like trying something new and did you feel you fit with it?
“Adult Swim” is a very meaningful track to me. If I was the Kai [of a few years ago], I might not have chosen this track. Because of these two years away, and the experience from that time, that became the factor that made me choose this song. As you can hear, the verse and the chorus, the atmosphere is very different. From the verse, you can feel the cool [and] refreshing beats and the vibes, feeling like you’re swimming. When it becomes to the chorus, you go deep into the sea, you’re diving into the sea, and you can have those deeper beats and sounds coming up. I think this actually shows my mindset throughout those two years.
The reason I chose this as a pre-release song is that it’s a great introduction to the album and which is well expressed through the verse. You start with a light greeting and then when you go into the chorus, you can really dive deep into my inner-self and emotions. Then you go deeper and deeper down and that’s where you can meet meet me waiting – the true “Wait On Me.”
You’re known to be an incredible dancer, and I think it’s pretty safe to say you might hold the title of king of the dance challenge. Do you ever feel pressure around that or feel like you have to continue to better yourself in that way?
First of all, for “Adult Swim,” I actually didn’t consider the challenge for this song because the choreography itself is very difficult, as you can see, but rather I focused on showing what I’m good at. I tried to get rid of this self-doubt because I chose this song as a lighter introduction, so that was what I was aiming for with this.
For “Wait On Me,” you actually need to see the music video, but it will be some sort of a challenge, as in the meaning itself. You’ll actually see what I mean when you look at the music video. I want the audience to get that impression, as it was actually a challenge itself. Since you came into this world of mine with “Adult Swim,” now it’s time to fall deeper inside [the world]. I wanted to present a new set of challenges for myself with “Wait On Me.”
Can you share any behind-the-scenes tidbits of shooting the music videos? Was there anything you found easier this time around? Anything more difficult?
I had to shoot the music video a month after my service. It was a challenge itself. It was pretty difficult. Actually, in the last two years, I gained a lot of muscles. I bulked up a little, but with these these two songs, “Adult Swim” and “Wait On Me,” I felt like that type of shape was not fitting its mood, so losing weight and getting fit again was quite challenging.
During the music video for “Wait On Me,” there’s a lot of props on the floor. I had to execute the performance from the valleys and hills, and there’s a hallway that I had to run down as well. There were a lot of obstacles, which was very challenging, but at the same time very, very fun. This actually helped me get back into to my life as an artist.
As you start promoting on music shows with this album, you’re going to see fans again for the first time in a really long time. How are you feeling about that?
Since my comeback, I’ve been doing a lot of schedules where the fans could see me through videos and live [streams], but I hadn’t had a opportunity where I could meet the fans. I’m very excited for that, and that’s why it doesn’t feel like a real comeback yet, so I’m very excited.
I’m trying to make more opportunities [for fans], as much as I can through these music shows and [my] upcoming tour. When I actually do meet them, then I’ll feel like I have a fully recharged battery.
Speaking of touring, you’re to get to meet international fans soon during SMTOWN Live. How are you’re feeling about getting to do that again?
I feel like we’re just starting now, like [it’s the] official start. I actually feel like my love towards the fans is bigger than their [love] towards me. I miss them more, and I actually want to do a battle – whose heart is bigger?
How do you hope to be viewed as an artist? Whether that be as a member of EXO or as a solo artist.
Since my debut I always wanted to be better, and I wanted to be good at what I was doing. I’ve wondered where my peak could be. At the same time, I wasn’t very curious about others’ perspectives or thoughts too much.
As a EXO member, with “Tempo” and “Love Shot,” and as a solo artist with “Rover” or “Peaches,” I feel like everyone sees me in a different light and as a different artist through all these different tracks. What I hope [is] that I could at least wiggle into a tiny room of their hearts.
Is there anything you want to add?
The memories from my time with SuperM in the U.S. are deeply imprinted in my heart. I had so much fun back then. For that, my biggest goal actually is that through this album, I’m hoping to meet my international fans, also my American fans. I just wanted to say I’m still here, guys. I have an album out, and I’m actually going to be there soon to see you all, so please look forward to it.
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