KANG YUCHAN Breaks Free with His First EP ‘Rebel’

KANG YUCHAN sheds expectations and redefines himself with his daring first EP, Rebel.

Released on October 21, 2025 KST, KANG YUCHAN’s first EP Rebel marks a bold new era for the A.C.E maknae — one that’s entirely his own.

After making his official solo debut in July with “Champagne Poppin’,” KANG YUCHAN continues to carve his path as a multifaceted artist under WAY BETTER. Known as a singer, actor, and musical performer, YUCHAN now steps fully into his individuality with Rebel, a project that is both defiant and deeply personal.

A Journey Toward Self-Discovery

Rebel revolves around themes of breaking free from expectations and embracing one’s own identity. YUCHAN participated in writing lyrics for all tracks on the album, collaborating closely with WAY BETTER’s creative leaders from20 and HELLO GLOOM. He also contributed to the composition of three songs: “The Call of the Wild,” “Body Talk,” and “Best for Me,” further solidifying his artistic voice throughout the project.

With album photography by fellow WAY BETTER artist LIM SEJUN and a music video directed by from20, the visual presentation of Rebel reflects the same daring energy that drives its sound. Filmed in Los Angeles, the music video mirrors YUCHAN’s growing confidence and desire to explore uncharted creative ground.

Musically, the EP experiments with dance, drum & bass, amapiano, UK garage, and trap R&B. It is a genre-spanning collection that mirrors YUCHAN’s restless curiosity. Each track represents a different facet of rebellion: against expectation, limitation, and conformity.

Track-by-Track: A Rebellion in Motion

1. “The Call of The Wild” 

Opening the EP with atmospheric synths and a pulsating rhythm, “The Call of The Wild” sets the tone for transformation. Its verse, “Just stay with me if the world fades out / If it feels like destiny,” feels like a whispered invitation to escape the noise and rediscover something real.

2. “Close To You”

One of the double title tracks, “Close To You,” leans lyrical and nostalgic. YUCHAN softens his edges here, offering emotional vulnerability amid a lush soundscape. It is tender, yet there is still a quiet confidence beneath the yearning, a glimpse at the complexity that defines Rebel.

3. “Champagne Poppin’”

Originally released as his single in July, this track marked YUCHAN’s solo debut with a bang. Mature and hard-hitting, “Champagne Poppin’” introduced his “bad boy” image, but more importantly, it revealed an artist unafraid to challenge how he has been perceived.

4. “Body Talk” 

The second title track, “Body Talk,” builds on the sensual maturity of “Champagne Poppin’,” layering trap-infused R&B textures with sleek production. It is confident, physical, and hypnotic, a track that perfectly captures YUCHAN’s evolving artistry.

5. “Best for Me” 

Closing the album is one of its most poignant tracks. With the line “I’m not telling you to come back / I know love is gone for me,” YUCHAN brings a quiet finality to the EP. It is a soft landing that lingers, reflective, raw, and resolute.

A Beautiful Act of Rebellion

What is most striking about Rebel is its honesty. KANG YUCHAN could have easily followed the familiar path many idols take in their first solo ventures, staying close to the sounds that once defined their groups. Instead, he chooses risk.

Rebel is not an album made to please. It is an album made to be, to show the world who KANG YUCHAN is when stripped of expectations, titles, and labels. There is courage in that vulnerability, in saying: This is me. No modifiers. No pretense. Just KANG YUCHAN.

By blending global sounds, English-dominated lyrics, and a balance of boldness and introspection, Rebel positions YUCHAN not just as a soloist from A.C.E or WAY BETTER, but as an artist capable of standing entirely on his own.

Overall Review:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5/5) KANG YUCHAN’s Rebel is an audacious, emotionally grounded debut EP that redefines what it means to start over. It is sleek, surprising, and deeply personal, the kind of rebellion that does not just make noise but makes meaning.

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Image and Video Credits: WAY BETTER