“I Wanted to Share My Honest Self” — KANGMIN on Solo Debut
- iamraeiam
- 6 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The VERIVERY maknae opens up about growth, uncertainty, and finding his own voice.
As the youngest member of VERIVERY, KANGMIN has steadily grown from a bright, promising rookie into an artist with a voice and perspective uniquely his own. Since the group’s debut on January 9, 2019, with their first mini-album Veri-Us, he has drawn attention not only for his striking visuals but also for his thoughtful lyricism, contributing to multiple tracks throughout VERIVERY’s discography. Through years of performances and promotions, KANGMIN has quietly built a foundation of experience, shaping his artistry behind the scenes while continuing to evolve in front of fans worldwide.
Now, KANGMIN steps into a new chapter with his first solo release, the single album Free Falling, set to drop on March 26, 2026. The title alone has sparked curiosity, hinting at a deeper, more introspective story waiting to unfold. Drawing on his journey from youth to adulthood, the project promises to reveal a more personal side of the artist—one that reflects both uncertainty and growth. Backed by his years on stage, KANGMIN's debut marks a pivotal moment as he explores new sounds and emotions, stepping forward with a voice entirely his own.
In our exclusive interview, KANGMIN opens up about the meaning behind Free Falling, describing it as a delicate state of balance rather than a loss of control, and shares how the album captures the raw emotions of his current chapter in life. He dives into experimenting with R&B-inspired vocals, memorable moments from the recording process, and the support he received from his fellow VERIVERY members. From reflecting on his growth to revealing his hopes of becoming an artist who tells honest stories through music, the conversation offers an intimate look at the mindset and ambitions driving his solo debut.
Hello KANGMIN! Congratulations on your solo debut with ‘Free Falling.’ To start, could you introduce yourself and share how it feels to debut as a solo artist?
KANGMIN: Hello, I’m KANGMIN, making a debut as a solo artist with a single album, Free Falling! I’ve gained multiple stage experiences through the group promotions, and I’m very happy and excited to create an album that carries my thoughts in my own voice after various experiences.
The title ‘Free Falling’ immediately sparks curiosity. What does the phrase “free falling” represent to you personally, and how does it connect to the story you want to tell through this album?
KANGMIN: The title Free Falling represents the state of staying in the air before making a perfect balance, rather than its literal meaning of falling without control. This album carries the story about my time standing on the boundary between boyhood and adulthood, and it shares different emotions of uneasiness faced by ‘24-year-old KANGMIN,’ which is well connected to the album’s title as well.
What kind of sound or mood can listeners expect from “Free Falling,” and how does it reflect a side of you that fans may not have seen before?
KANGMIN: “Free Falling” is a contemporary R&B, pop track that blends dynamic rhythm and guitar, highlighting the contrast between controlled verses with a lo-fi mood and a mysterious, dreamy chorus. I believe this track would be a good opportunity for me to showcase the sides of me that were not too apparent when I was promoting as the group’s youngest member.
Are there any lyrics in “Free Falling” that feel especially personal or meaningful to you?
KANGMIN: There’s a line, “Don’t leave me alone,” in “Free Falling,” and I think that resonates with me the most.
What was the recording process like for “Free Falling”? Was there a moment in the studio that stood out to you?
KANGMIN: I remember really enjoying the recording process. For this track, I actually worked with a producer who directed the song “How to Fly” when I was participating in BOYS II PLANET. We had such a fun chemistry that I still remember it to this day.
Did you experiment with any new vocal styles or techniques while recording this track?
KANGMIN: I tried more of an R&B vocal style while trying to loosen myself even more.
The visuals are also an important part of K-pop releases. Was there a particular scene or concept in the “Free Falling” music video that stood out to you while filming?
KANGMIN: It would be when I was sitting in the bathtub with wounds at the end of the music video, because I feel like I was most immersed when filming that scene.
Preparing for a solo debut can feel very different from promoting with a group. What was the most exciting part of working on this project independently, and what moments stood out to you during the process?
KANGMIN: I think the most memorable and exciting moment is right before hearing or seeing the final results one by one. I also remember the recording process quite vividly.
As you prepared for your solo debut, how did the members of VERIVERY support or encourage you along the way?
KANGMIN: I asked a lot of questions whenever I had those in my head and got a lot of help from the members, as they’re my older brothers who supplemented my weak points when we were promoting as a group. I especially had many conversations with DONGHEON, our leader, who worked with me on this album, and YONGSEUNG.
Looking back on the preparation for this debut, how do you feel you’ve grown through the experience? What did you learn about yourself?
KANGMIN: Looking back at that time while working on my solo album, I felt a bit different about myself as I had many new thoughts compared to when we were working on group promotions. I used to record songs with my members to fill out albums together, and now I got to prepare the album with my own sound, making me realize how much I have grown as an artist, Yoo Kangmin.
What kinds of sounds or genres would you like to explore in future releases?
KANGMIN: I personally like ambient sound, so I would like to try a song with more ambient sound in the next album.
Looking back at your journey from debut until now, what advice would you give your younger self?
KANGMIN: I want to tell him that it’d be good to just be himself. I think I was afraid to really show myself when I debuted, but now I think it could have been good to just share more of my honest self. I also believe that young KANGMIN would be worried about not being loved, so I want to comfort him and help him feel that way.
Now that you’ve taken your first step as a solo artist, what new goals or dreams do you have for yourself moving forward?
KANGMIN: I hope to become a singer who can present my thoughts and emotions honestly with music, as it is my goal to share various stories naturally through music. At the same time, I want to excel as a performer and grow into a singer who can show my own color in both singing and performance.
Lastly, please leave a message for fans reading this.
KANGMIN: Thanks to all your love, I can talk and share stories about uneasiness. I hope we can create more memories together.
Listen to KANGMIN's solo debut on Spotify or Apple Music.
Connect with KANGMIN on Instagram, IG (Personal), X, X(Members), TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, and Weverse.
*Special thanks to KANGMIN, Helix Publicity, and Jellyfish Entertainment for this exclusive interview.
Image and Video Credits: Jellyfish Entertainment
