Hot? I think that fire has mostly cooled. When I served, I lived with younger soldiers born in 2003 and 2004, and they brought an intensity I hadn’t seen before. When I tried to match that energy, I came off a bit over the top. After going through it, I realized it’s more natural and comfortable to live with consideration and understanding.
On the 22nd at 6 p.m., Kim Jae‑hwan will release his new digital single, "I’ll Come Pick You Up Now," across online music platforms. The rock ballad delivers a message of love and consolation, promising to stand by someone even when they’re exhausted. His timbre settles naturally over the flowing guitar lines, drawing listeners in.
Discharged on Dec. 31 of last year, Kim prepared for his first post‑service comeback and spoke with reporters at a café in Gangnam, Seoul. "Because this is my first comeback after discharge, I gave it my all," he said. A full album would have taken more time, so he opted for a single to get music out quickly. "It’s only one song, but I put care and sincerity into it," he added. Military service made him ponder his return to the stage, and preparing the single helped relieve that uncertainty.
Asked how he spent his time in the military, he said it renewed his appreciation for the privilege of singing on stage. He’s explored various genres, but now he wants to make music that feels most like himself and that suits how others perceive him. Coming from a military band, he was told his guitar‑while‑singing performances on tours looked cool, which led him to consider expressing rock ballads with a band.
His affection for the guitar stood out. "I’ve always been close to the guitar," Kim said. He began playing in elementary school and spent four years as a band trainee. Performing with a guitar feels natural and comfortable for him.
Has he finally found the music that fits him? "Everything I’ve done so far is still me," Kim replied. "There were moments of exuberant joy and moments of sadness. I once released a song called ‘Gae‑eudeuk’ that feels a little embarrassing in hindsight, but preparing it made me genuinely happy and the promotions were fun. I have no regrets about those stages—they’re precious parts of the process that brought me to my current music."
With "I’ll Come Pick You Up Now," Kim aims to open this spring on a warm, shining note, offering comfort that words alone can’t convey. "The lyrics are meant to be comforting," he said. "While writing, I thought about fans who waited for me. From their perspective, I wanted to create a song that says, ‘Now I’ll come get you,’ and soothe their weary everyday lives."
Kim handled the lyrics, composition and guitar performance, demonstrating his producing chops. "This feels like the second act of my musical life," he said. Still, he admitted a challenge: "The song sits very high. As a rock ballad, it leans into a high range, and sustaining those notes hasn’t been easy. Delivering it live is my task."
He said he doesn’t obsess over chart rankings. "There was a time when I fixated on results, and I wasn’t truly happy," Kim said. Military service gave him time to consider how to be happy and what mindset would bring it. He concluded the process itself must be enjoyable. "More than chasing rankings, I want the song out in the world as soon as possible, and I’m eager to perform it on stage," he added.
Kim debuted through an intense survival program, and when asked if he’s moved past the pressure of competition, he reflected: "Debuting with Wanna One in my early 20s felt extremely intense. Even on variety shows, I always wanted to be first. That phase has passed. If I were to do Wanna One again, I’d still prepare diligently, but I’d handle things more wisely. On stage, though, I still want to bring the heat—I believe that intensity moves an audience."
As his mindset has steadied, his vocal style has matured. "Debuting after a competition show made me put a lot of force into my singing," he said. "Debuting with ‘Energetic’ demanded huge energy. Listening back now, some parts sound overdone, but I think that came from my mindset rather than technique. I accept that phase and feel I’ve become more seasoned and mature. I’m practicing to make my voice more comfortable and accessible for listeners."
He acknowledged that the music he wants to make and what fans want to hear can differ. "I thought about that a lot," Kim said. He began his solo career with the ballad "Hello" and tried many styles; fans reacted differently each time. Strangely, fans repeatedly sent guitars to his company—more a silent request for guitar‑based music than a direct message. That nudged him back to this sound.
Kim said his future work will remain guitar‑driven, likely focusing on folk and rock ballads. "The title ‘comfort’ suits my music," he said. "People tell me my songs feel warm, and I want to be an artist who conveys that warmth. The guitar is one of the warmest instruments, and I think its sound will carry that warmth into my voice."
Asked about role models or bands he looks to, he said artists vary widely in appeal—from understated, dreamy band sounds to trend‑forward groups and hard‑rock bands. "I admire artists like Yun Do‑hyun, who have sustained long careers," Kim said. "Maintaining passion and love for your music without losing purity, and doing it for a long time—that’s remarkable."
Beyond chart success, Kim said he wants to play many festivals—not necessarily as a headliner, but to bring his music to festival stages and showcase his live work. "I want to be a performance‑driven, stage‑oriented artist. If there’s a place to share my music and sing, I’ll go," he said.
Kim Jae‑hwan’s digital single "I’ll Come Pick You Up Now" is released today (the 22nd) at 6 p.m. on various music sites. "I’ll prepare the stage so viewers can watch comfortably," he said. "I hope this music comforts not only my fans but many people, and that, as the lyrics say, it brings warm solace during unfamiliar days and times."
▶ Kim Jae‑hwan, A Second Act After Discharge: I Found the Most Me‑Like Music [Interview]
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