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In the almost 4 years since KIHYUN’s first solo release, YOUTH, he’s experienced a lot of life—he enlisted and returned from his mandatory military service, released a MONSTA X album, and embarked on a world tour. Last month, the artist released BORDERLINE, his highly anticipated sophomore EP that touches upon the uncertainties of growing up and the freedom that comes from embracing one's own choices. Through genre exploration that mirrors the idol’s own self exploration, BORDERLINE is undoubtedly KIHYUN’s most authentic and vulnerable project to date. With a seven song tracklist that ranges from rock-driven anthems to city-pop inspired R&B jams, KIHYUN’s ability to keep vocals at the forefront of each song reminds listeners why he’s the main vocalist of MONSTA X. We caught up with KIHYUN over email to talk about the new EP, the songwriting process, and what advice he’d give to his fans who see part of their journey in his. 

OnesToWatch: Congratulations on your comeback! What did you learn about yourself during this process, and how did this time in your life shape the album? 

KIHYUN: Over the past few years, I experienced many different things and had a lot of time to reflect on myself and the direction I wanted to take as an artist. Returning from military service, working with MONSTA X again, and going on tour reminded me of how meaningful it is to be onstage and connect with people through music. Of course, there were many uncertain moments, but I learned to trust myself and the process as I continued moving forward. I think that became the foundation for “BORDERLINE.” Rather than trying to present a perfect answer, I wanted to honestly capture where I am now.

In “So Good,” there is a lyric that translates to “I trust myself as my own guide, there are no right answers, I don't need 'em.” What empowered you to write this lyric and why did you choose this song as the title track?

That lyric came from how I felt while making the album. There were many moments when I wondered if I was making the right choice, especially because life doesn’t always come with a clear answer. I realized that sometimes it’s more important to trust the path you’ve chosen and keep moving forward. That’s what I wanted to express through the song, and I chose “So Good” as the title track because it captures that feeling best.

While you have experimented with different genres and sounds throughout your career, your new EP presents as a project that allows you to be unapologetically yourself and shines a spotlight on your vocals. How did you land on BORDERLINE's sound?

I started by focusing more on what kind of music I genuinely wanted to make at this point in my life. I wanted the album to feel natural and honest, so I didn’t want to limit myself to just one genre. Each song has its own mood and style, but together, they reflect different sides of who I am. As I worked on the tracks, the sound of the album gradually came together and started to feel like a true reflection of who I am now.

Your first solo EP YOUTH reflected on youthful nostalgia, while BORDERLINE looks toward the present and future, addressing the difficulties you’ve faced in this stage of your life. What is something you’d like to tell the KIHYUN of the past now that you have released this new EP?

I’d probably tell him that it’s okay not to have all the answers. In the past, I thought I needed to figure everything out before moving forward. Now, I think the process itself is important. The things I worried about or felt uncertain about eventually became experiences that shaped who I am. So I’d tell him not to worry too much, trust himself, and just keep going.

What b-side track would you recommend to listeners, and why?

I’d recommend “Late Night Drive.” It’s a style that I haven’t explored much before, and the sound falls somewhere between city pop and R&B. It was also a new discovery for me while making the album, so it feels a little different from what I’ve done before. I think it shows another side of me, and I hope listeners enjoy that.

If any MONBEBE are scared of the uncertainty of their future and relate to the messages in these songs, what advice would you give them?

I’d say you don’t have to have the answer right away. Everyone has moments when they feel uncertain or don’t know which direction to take, and I think those moments are part of becoming who you are. Instead of worrying too much about making the perfect choice, I hope you can trust yourself, take things one step at a time, and enjoy the process along the way.

Give us a TMI from the time you were writing BORDERLINE.

I changed the songs so many times while making this album. There were hundreds of songs in the running, and I kept going through them and narrowing them down until we got to the final tracklist. Each song had its own strong personality, so choosing the ones that really belonged on BORDERLINE took a lot of time. In a way, the songs that made it onto the album are the ones that survived all those rounds of changes!

Who are your OnesToWatch?

Lately, I’ve been listening to HANRORO a lot. I’d actually recommend checking out some of her B-sides rather than just her more well-known songs. She has quite a few tracks with a rock sound, and I really like that side of her music.