As he prepares for his first tour in the US in five years, KINO lets us in on his preparations, travel itinerary, 2025 plans, and more.
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2024 was no other year for singer-songwriter, composer, producer, and K-pop idol KINO. It was the first full year since the PENTAGON member established his label, NAKED, as he looked to expand his solo career. And that he did. Among other things, KINO dropped his debut EP, If this love, I want a refund, with its five tracks showcasing a full relationship cycle.
Taking on the role of executive producer for all the projects under NAKED, KINO turned his creative ideas into reality as the idol further realized his artistic talents. Now, after a year of sharing even more of himself with the world, he’s ready to take things more personal with his upcoming I think I think too much US Tour.
Set to stop across eight cities in the US this January 2025, the tour is KINO’s first in the country in years, and he’s ready to see his fans’ reaction to his new era. “It’s going to be a new type of music and performance that’s different from before, and I want to see their reactions with my own eyes,” he tells NYLON Manila in an interview.
True to the tour’s title, KINO envisions his US romp to give audiences a peek into his emotions with the goal of them hopefully feeling seen and heard. And while KINO kicks off 2025 with his US tour, that doesn’t mean he’s closing the door on taking the show to different parts of the world. “Bringing this tour to Asia, especially meeting the Philippines fans I miss is one of my biggest goals right now,” he teases.
Read our full interview with KINO below as he opens up about the tour, his pre-show rituals, life since starting NAKED, and more.
How has life been so far since establishing NAKED?
I’m doing well and still living a busy life. I learned a lot because I didn’t know anything about running a business, and now I feel like my team and I have leveled up. We are more tightly connected and more confident about our future. Not too long ago, it was our first anniversary. I was so grateful we made it this far without much trouble. I’m looking forward to the future NAKED is going to create.
What are you most looking forward to with your upcoming US Tour?
It’s been a long time since I met the US fans. It’s been 5 years since I last visited there as a group and this time I’m having a show as a solo artist. What I’m most looking forward to yet worried about at the same time is the fans’ reaction towards the “new style of KINO.” It’s going to be a new type of music and performance that’s different from before, and I want to see their reactions with my own eyes. However, I am confident that it will win their heart.
What can fans expect from the show and is there a certain vibe or atmosphere you’re aiming for with the show?
This show is focused on the “listening experience.” As the most important theme of the tour is exploring different emotions by visiting “KINO’s mind deep within,” it was important for me to find a way to convey my emotions to the audience through music, hoping they could relate to the same feeling, and the most important thing for me was to make the audience listen. Confusion, sadness, happiness, or other emotions… if you could relate to at least one feeling at the show and be comforted by it, I would be glad. We are all the same, you are not alone.
Do you have any pre-show rituals you do before going on stage?
I always pray five minutes before I go on stage. I sing the Lord’s Prayer, and I ask him to give me confidence. It’s been a routine of mine since my debut. I need to have faith in myself to play freely on stage. Doubting and questioning myself ends with rehearsal.
When it came to planning for this tour, could you share the creative process of translating your music for a live crowd?
For this tour, I made the storyline of the show, highlighted the main theme of the music, and rearranged the setlist accordingly. To emphasize a certain emotion from each song, I drew the image I wanted to express first and rearranged it differently from the original version. So the emotion can be felt instantly once the audience hears the music. This needs a lot of energy and that is why I chose to perform with a live band.
Aside from the show, do you have an itinerary of what you’re looking forward to doing while traveling for the tour?
Since I’m there, I want to explore each city and hang out a little bit. However, since the tour schedule is very tight, I won’t have time to do that haha. So I think I’ll focus on media promotions instead. So I’m looking for various opportunities right now. Like radio shows, interviews, and shooting for YouTube or TikTok. I don’t know how many opportunities we will find, but we’re trying to do as much as we can.
In general, whenever you visit a new city or country, what are the things you like to do while you’re there?
Since I enjoy eating delicious food and trying new foods, I want to taste the best food in each city! It is something I always do every time I go on a tour.
With almost a full year of running your label under your belt, has that experience changed the way you see and approach your music and craft?
I used to focus on my personal feelings in the past but, I’m now finding a way to connect with others through finding a connection with them. I don’t just want to “make” music that I like. I finally realized how important it is to “reach to the listeners.”
Would it be possible to see the “I think I think too much” tour comes to different parts of the world later in 2025, like say, the Philippines?
That’s what I’m hoping for. Bringing this tour to Asia, especially meeting the Philippines fans I miss is one of my biggest goals right now. I’ll try my best. Please wait for me!
What’s the biggest life lesson you learned this year that you’re taking with you in 2025 and beyond?
“to be honest”. I’m trying to learn how to look at myself objectively, be honest with my feelings and thoughts, and how to handle them well, which happens to be the main direction of the tour and album I’m working on right now.
Where do you think is the best place to stay at a concert?
Of course, the one closest to the stage. I’m not a person who expresses emotions only with my voice, every facial expression and every small gesture of mine is a part of a musical performance, so it would be best to experience all of it at my show without missing any.
Photos courtesy of NAKED
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