Kai made his comeback with a new mini-album after 2 years.
On the 21st, a showcase commemorating the release of Kai's fourth mini-album "Wait On Me" was held at the YES24 Live Hall in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The showcase was hosted by Suho, the leader of EXO, the same group.
This album, a new release about 2 years after the announcement of Kai's third mini-album "Rover" in 2023, aims to redefine "Kai style" and is filled with a total of 7 songs, including the title track "Wait On Me," featuring dancer music that brings to mind Kai's performances as soon as you hear it.
In particular, the title track "Wait On Me" is a pop song utilizing Afrobeat rhythms, combining a restrained groove created by percussion and a synth string sound that enhances tension, and it will convey the beauty of emotions slowly revealed without rushing through waiting.
In addition to the title track, this album includes the pre-released track "Adult Swim," which became a hot topic with Kai's distinctive refreshing vibe, along with "Walls Don't Talk," "Pressure," "Ridin'," "Off and Away," and "Flight to Paris," showcasing adult Kai's music, matured over the waiting time.
On this day, MC Suho remarked, "Isn't this a trending showcase? Let's welcome Kai, who returned after being discharged after 2 years," and Kai said, "Hello, this is Kai. Thank you once again for coming. I will make sure you don't regret coming to see me. I will do my best to talk and show you the stage. I want to thank Suho for being the host. I also saw the stage of 'Fighting Spirit' by Suho and Chanyeol during my absence. I was moved by the support they provided."
Regarding the title track "Wait On Me," Kai mentioned, "First of all, it's a song utilizing Afrobeat rhythms. It's intense enough that the rhythm sticks with you after one listen. The lyrics convey a feeling that 'the beauty of emotions revealed slowly without rushing.' I sang it with a relaxed feeling, letting loose. There seems to be a kind of restraint mixed into the restrained vocals. You can feel the intense rhythm once, and again from the vocals I mentioned, and there seems to be a hot and cool charm in that."
Regarding the performance, Kai explained, "I tried to emphasize the rhythm of Afrobeat according to the music characteristics. It has a rhythmic feel while incorporating the stunning key choreographies that I do well. Many fans have been waiting for me, so you can expect to see point choreography that reflects that feeling. You'll understand when you see the music video; it will be an addictive performance that matches the song."
Kai is set to showcase restrained charm in both song and dance in this new song. However, during the dance break, he will bring forth his explosive energy, enhancing the overall charm of the stage. He mentioned, "There’s a part where I'm walking and dancing with the dancers in a long corridor. I think it came out as a unique and cool performance, so if you see that part, it should give you a new feeling."
After the stage and music video were revealed, Suho praised, "Kai was Kai. It was the best stage that doesn't disappoint." Suho first mentioned the exposure in the music video and asked, "Was that your choice?" and Kai jokingly responded, "Are you asking if that was my choice? So are you saying the company forced me to do it?" Kai continued, "I thought about what kind of image I should show for this title track, and since the desert appears, I wanted the warm wind to be felt. If I'm all dressed, it looks hot, so I came out looking cool and unraveled."
Regarding the nickname "Icon of the crop top," Kai said, "I appreciated being thought of that way. Recently during a live, DIO teased me by saying, 'Why are you short on fabric?' He provoked me, so I replied that I would show that I could be someone with enough fabric. Next time, I will try wearing a padded jacket."
Recently, Kai gained attention not only for his performances but also for appearing on numerous web variety shows. In particular, after appearing on "Salon Drip 2," those who worked alongside him as social service personnel posted positive comments. Kai noted, "It wasn't difficult to adapt to life as a civilian. I tried my best to blend in with the way I've lived."
He continued, "It's really not easy to talk about my good deeds. I truly did my best, and I was at a dementia center where I made many unforgettable memories with the elderly. I learned about various knowledge on dementia there. I took the elderly with dementia home every time, taught them to study, and so many things happened, but it's hard to pinpoint any one thing to talk about. If I think of something, I will email you, so I hope you can naturally run the article."
While talking about his rising popularity in trending videos, Kai said, "First of all, I'm really happy that such responses are coming from various people. Also, when I appeared on Salon Drip, those I used to work with left comments, and they said they would leave comments when I return to society, but I never thought they would actually do it. I'm thinking of visiting them later."
Kai stated, "Aside from that, many people enjoy my appearance on entertainment content. I didn't expect to appear on this many variety shows when I debuted. I didn’t expect to get such positive reactions from various shows, but after ‘The Two Words in My Underwear,’ my life changed a lot. I think that was my second turning point in life, and thanks to that, I'm really enjoying it. In entertainment, you need to have some luck beyond skill. I'm learning a lot from many seniors while doing this."
In addition, Kai has entered the "2025 KAI SOLO CONCERT TOUR."
When asked what he is focusing on while preparing for the tour, Kai replied, "First of all, what I'm looking forward to in the tour is having fans who only come to see me and like me. I'm looking forward to showing them a good stage. I also have the thought of visiting fans all over the world under the pretext of the concert. It seems like I’m waiting more for the fans than they are for me. I hope to compare whose love is greater during the tour."
Additionally, he added, "Of course, a good performance and stage are given, and we've performed many EXO medleys. In some ways, I also have expectations for that. It might be a spoiler to express that in a different way. I've seen many of the members' concert tours, and they dance to every song. I want to say that I've prepared a performance that will be enjoyable for the eyes and ears."
Along with that, Kai mentioned junior artists who have chosen him as a role model, saying, "I'm grateful that the juniors like me and choose me as a role model. I'm always open to anyone who approaches me, so I hope they come up to me directly and enjoy themselves. I filmed some fun content with my wish friends this time, and it was really cute and good. We also did challenges together. I thought, 'The cuteness at that age is here, can I do that too?' In reality, I also enjoy listening to their songs."
Furthermore, Kai recently talked about the changes in his life, stating, "My waking schedule has become more precise. I try to wake up at 9 a.m., but I wake up at 8 a.m. to start my day. It's a good change and one of the challenging tasks. After a late-night shoot, I'm awake around 8-9 a.m., which is tough. Now I’ve come to understand the feelings of office workers more deeply. I sincerely hope that the reporters’ Monday sickness is healed and that you finish work before 6 p.m. Please take your annual leave regularly and make sure to visit the hospital. I genuinely wish for you to have a good work life," which drew laughter from the audience.
Finally, regarding the goals for this album, Kai said, "While I hope for good results, I want this album to be a reward for the fans who have waited. I will sincerely engage to make good memories and evoke the sentiment of having waited well."
Meanwhile, Kai's fourth mini-album "Wait On Me" will be released today (the 21st) at 6 p.m. through various music sites.
[Photo] Min Kyung-hoon, Reporter
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