Kihyun says BORDERLINE reflects his own choices

In an interview at Starship Entertainment in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Kihyun said his solo album carried more of his own views than any previous release. Kihyun said that if anything had felt unresolved after the album was completed, he would have been anxious, but described it as a result he could confidently present to fans.

Kihyun said he did not directly work on the songs because he tends to fully trust specialists, but he said he clearly told the production team what he wanted, including the concept, and contributed opinions during the process. He also said many people still did not know he had released solo albums before, adding that he wanted this activity to make more people aware that his group has a member who releases solo albums and sings well.

According to the source, Kihyun's mini album No. 2, BORDERLINE, is scheduled for release at 6 p.m. on the 7th. The album centers on the process of trusting one's own senses and choices while moving forward, and contains 7 tracks, including the title song So Good and the B-side Domino.

The source said the album is Kihyun's first solo release since October 2022, after a gap of 3 years and nine months. During that period, he completed military service and focused on group activities, and Kihyun said preparing a solo album while busy was not easy, but the long gap made him feel he needed to show a better version of himself.

As the main vocalist in his group, Kihyun chose songs that highlight his strengths as a vocalist, according to the source. Kihyun said he wanted to show his singing ability through So Good, whose chorus reaches a high vocal range, and said he wanted to hear that 'the original singer performs this song best.'

Kihyun said he considered many title track candidates until the day before the deadline, but pushed for So Good because he felt he would regret not choosing it. He said the song begins lyrically and later opens into high notes, and that the choice also had festivals in mind.

Kihyun said that in his 20s he lived within clear standards and frameworks and felt pressure from them, and that rock music helped relieve that. He said performing rock requires careful vocal preparation and can cause strain, but he tried to create a tone that could deliver a sense of release.

Kihyun said he worked not to give the album the feel of his group and deliberately chose a different direction. He said Jooheon and Hyungwon supported So Good after hearing it, and that I.M, who is in the military, also said the difficult song was good, which gave him confidence.

It is an album that includes more of my opinions than ever before. I am also confident in its quality.

I wanted to show my singing ability. I want to hear people say that the original singer performs this song best.

I tried not to give it the feel of my group. I deliberately chose a different direction.