New York (AP) — KANGDANIEL is a person of K-pop’s brightest stars, but at just 26 years previous, he’s already discovered there’s far more to lifestyle than dazzling lights and extravagant dining places.
“I like to pursue pleasure simply because in the conclusion, time is not everlasting … we have to maximize our pleasure and it is pretty much imprinted in my mind,” explained the “Paranoia” and “Nirvana” singer. “There are occasions when I experienced to do a thing that I did not want to and I did not have no dollars, and there was no final result that I predicted. I was shocked since money did not give me contentment.”
KANGDANIEL, decided on by Forbes Korea as one particular of its top 40 stars for 2022, is wrapping up his initial North American tour, with the final end in Los Angeles on Saturday.
KANGDANIEL’S path to superstardom commenced in 2017 after profitable the second period of the actuality Tv set expertise sequence “Produce 101,” which led to the formation of the K-pop boy band Wanna One particular. He went solo two years afterwards. He introduced his debut album, “The Tale,” last 12 months.
KANGDANIEL, who publicly struggled with depression and worry dysfunction in 2019, states the pursuit of pleasure is not a fanciful desire but a way of life.
“A lot of individuals say, ‘Oh, without having money you are not pleased.’ For me, those two things are independent,” mentioned KANGDANIEL, who grew up listening to an eclectic combine of Eco-friendly Working day, Nirvana, Michael Jackson and Usher. “That’s why I go after joy earlier mentioned all the things.”
In an job interview, the avid “Star Wars” admirer talked about reaching the American audience, pursuing movie roles, and the pressures of fame.
Remarks have been edited for brevity and clarity.
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AP: This is your first tour in the U.S. K-pop is so huge all about the entire world. Does crossing in excess of to American lovers subject?
KANGDANIEL: K-pop lovers are all over the entire world but The united states is extremely exclusive since of the Billboard chart. It has a prolonged historical past, and absolutely everyone in the earth has read of it just before. It’s really properly known and to be incorporated in the chart, it would be my honor. And I feel the American viewers has excellent ears for excellent audio. So, if I have far more fans in the U.S., they would give me extra enthusiasm to work more durable.
AP: You are regarded as one of South Korea’s most influential stars. What does that imply to you?
KANGDANIEL: A single factor I felt for confident, even if I want it or not, I believe I have more accountability.
South Korea is my residence state and there are quite a few stars from the place … it is a responsibility due to the fact they figure out me as one of the celebrities. So, almost everything I do, and all the new music I make, I sense like I have to do a lot more and be extra resourceful.
AP: Would you at any time reunite with Wanna A person, even if it was just for a person special project or tune?
KANGDANIEL: It is not some thing I can just (prepare) overnight. But of program, I’m very open to it. So, if there is a excellent probability, I’d in all probability do it. And a small (while) ago, there was an awards ceremony. We executed collectively as a team, and I actually enjoyed it. It was so substantially enjoyable, and I was equipped to learn a large amount.
AP: You lately manufactured your acting debut in the Disney+ series “Rookie Cops.” How was your expertise as an actor?
KANGDANIEL: It was genuinely exciting … it was a minimal bit different from what I envisioned, but then the learning process was incredibly appealing and I loved it.
I enjoy operating on a Television set series, but up coming time, if there is an possibility, I’d like to make a movie simply because I’ve often beloved movies. So yup, future time, if there is a likelihood (to film a motion picture), I’d like to do it.
AP: What was different about filming the Tv display than you envisioned?
KANGDANIEL: The routine! (laughs)
AP: K-pop is a world-wide phenomenon and most of the artists are very young. How have you individually dealt with the fame?
KANGDANIEL: We can say it is correct that K-pop stars are comparatively young in comparison to other artists in various scenes and various nations … but honestly talking, age doesn’t seriously determine the artist. It doesn’t truly make a difference mainly because in Korea, we say there is no age (limit) when mastering issues in education and learning.
I really don’t really get pleasure from undertaking a whole lot of social media accounts, though I have one, and I never glance at my phone for hrs … I want to communicate and get impressed by other individuals, but not way too much information and facts — just right sum due to the fact I want to fully grasp on my personal, somewhat than comparing myself with other individuals. (By Gary Gerard Hamilton/AP)
Image credits: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP
