New York (AP) — KANGDANIEL is one of K-pop’s brightest stars, but at just 26 a long time outdated, he’s by now acquired there’s more to lifetime than dazzling lights and extravagant places to eat.
“I like to go after pleasure because in the finish, time is not everlasting … we have to optimize our contentment and it’s pretty much imprinted in my mind,” spelled out the “Paranoia” and “Nirvana” singer. “There are situations when I experienced to do some thing that I didn’t want to and I did not have no cash, and there was no end result that I envisioned. I was shocked mainly because money did not give me joy.”
KANGDANIEL, decided on by Forbes Korea as one particular of its top rated 40 celebs for 2022, is wrapping up his initial North American tour, with the closing end in Los Angeles on Saturday.
KANGDANIEL’S path to superstardom began in 2017 immediately after profitable the next time of the truth Tv set talent series “Produce 101,” which led to the formation of the K-pop boy band Wanna Just one. He went solo two decades afterwards. He produced his debut album, “The Tale,” very last 12 months.
KANGDANIEL, who publicly struggled with depression and panic problem in 2019, claims the pursuit of happiness is not a fanciful want but a way of lifetime.
“A ton of persons say, ‘Oh, with out cash you are not satisfied.’ For me, these two matters are different,” claimed KANGDANIEL, who grew up listening to an eclectic combine of Inexperienced Day, Nirvana, Michael Jackson and Usher. “That’s why I go after pleasure above every thing.”
In an job interview, the avid “Star Wars” fan talked about reaching the American audience, pursuing film roles, and the pressures of fame.
Remarks have been edited for brevity and clarity.
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AP: This is your initially tour in the U.S. K-pop is so large all above the environment. Does crossing about to American followers make a difference?
KANGDANIEL: K-pop fans are all in excess of the environment but The usa is extremely exclusive mainly because of the Billboard chart. It has a very long background, and absolutely everyone in the planet has listened to of it ahead of. It’s actually properly regarded and to be bundled in the chart, it would be my honor. And I believe that the American audience has fantastic ears for good tunes. So, if I have much more admirers in the U.S., they would give me extra enthusiasm to get the job done more durable.
AP: You’re deemed as 1 of South Korea’s most influential stars. What does that suggest to you?
KANGDANIEL: A person detail I felt for guaranteed, even if I want it or not, I assume I have additional responsibility.
South Korea is my dwelling nation and there are many stars from the place … it is a duty mainly because they realize me as one particular of the superstars. So, almost everything I do, and all the tunes I make, I really feel like I have to do much more and be much more inventive.
AP: Would you ever reunite with Wanna One, even if it was just for just one specific job or tune?
KANGDANIEL: It is not a little something I can just (plan) overnight. But of system, I’m extremely open to it. So, if there’s a great likelihood, I’d in all probability do it. And a minimal (while) in the past, there was an awards ceremony. We performed together as a team, and I truly savored it. It was so a great deal pleasurable, and I was able to find out a lot.
AP: You just lately produced your acting debut in the Disney+ series “Rookie Cops.” How was your encounter as an actor?
KANGDANIEL: It was seriously enjoyable … it was a very little little bit distinctive from what I envisioned, but then the mastering process was very exciting and I loved it.
I really like doing work on a Tv sequence, but upcoming time, if there is an chance, I’d like to make a film mainly because I’ve generally liked movies. So yup, up coming time, if there is a likelihood (to film a motion picture), I’d like to do it.
AP: What was unique about filming the Television demonstrate than you anticipated?
KANGDANIEL: The routine! (laughs)
AP: K-pop is a world phenomenon and most of the artists are very young. How have you individually dealt with the fame?
KANGDANIEL: We can say it is true that K-pop stars are fairly young when compared to other artists in distinct scenes and diverse nations … but honestly speaking, age doesn’t seriously outline the artist. It does not seriously make a big difference mainly because in Korea, we say there is no age (restrict) when studying matters in education and learning.
I really do not genuinely delight in carrying out a ton of social media accounts, despite the fact that I have one, and I don’t look at my cellphone for hours … I want to converse and get impressed by other people, but not also a great deal information and facts — just correct total since I want to have an understanding of on my possess, somewhat than comparing myself with many others. (By Gary Gerard Hamilton/AP)
Image credits: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP