NYLON NINETEEN
Kang Daniel Is His Own Dream Festival Headliner
Fresh off the release of Yellow, the K-Pop star gets into his favorite things.
Even in during a pandemic, Kang Daniel has been putting in the work. Since early 2020, the South Korean pop star has stayed productive as can be, churning out EP after EP as part of his “Color” trilogy. Following the releases of Cyan and Magenta, Daniel’s third and last installment, Yellow, has finally landed.
Yellow’s first hit “PARANOIA” already topped charts, and now his second single “Antidote” is expected to see the same great heights. The track is a new direction for Daniel, with the singer exploring a more croon-y, R&B space with a high-production, dance-heavy video to match. It’s also much darker than your average K-Pop track, as Daniel makes aches for freedom from his own pain. “Please let me go / Take me out of this long darkness / Just let me go,” he wails on the hook, making “Antidote” a compelling addition to the K-Pop canon.
Below, Daniel gets candid with NYLON, detailing his favorite concert memories, his worst habits, and why ghosts don’t spook him.
1.
What’s your astrological sign (and do you believe in it)?
I am a Sagittarius. I used to believe in it a lot when I was younger, but these days not as much.
2.
Do you believe in ghosts (and have you ever seen one)?
I believe in ghosts, but I am not that afraid of them. I am more scared of people dressed up as ghosts than I am of ghosts. But that’s also because I don’t think ghosts can actually harm you.
3.
What's a bad habit of yours that you've been meaning to fix?
I chew on my nails a lot; I know it’s a bad habit and I always think about fixing it, but I always forget and then I watch a replay of my performance or some behind the scenes footage, and I’m chewing on my nails again.
4.
What was the last internet rabbit hole you went down?
I watch a lot of YouTube meme compilations videos. I think this is where I learn most of my English.
5.
What was the last DM you received?
JQ, congratulating on completing the album and giving me words of encouragement for the upcoming promotions.
6.
If you could be in any music video, what would it be?
Post Malone’s “Circles.” I love the whole medieval theme, like Game of Thrones, and it would be pretty cool to see me in that setting.
7.
What was your first concert, and what are your memories of it?
When I was 11, my friends and I went to the Busan Rock Festival. I feel like this is the first time I fell in love with music and performance.
Just watching people, young and old, having fun and enjoying the atmosphere even if they didn’t understand the language of music... I still remember grandmothers and young children dancing along to rock music. It was cute at the time, but that image also stuck with me and showed that music is an art form that can transcend generations and borders.
8.
What was your favorite movie as a kid?
Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
9.
What's your favorite meme/internet joke and why?
Anything with Elmo in it! Elmo is awesome and has the best expressions.
10.
What is your favorite red carpet look of all time worn by someone else?
Frank Ocean when he wore the Prada pullover. I forget where that was, but I just thought it looked nice.
11.
What is one thing everyone should buy that is under $10?
Coffee.
12.
What piece of clothing from high school do you wish you kept?
A lot of my old Jordans and Puma Suedes I wore when I used to b-boy. I have a lot of fond memories in those shoes, and it would be cool to still have them around.
13.
What’s your go-to drink order?
Coca-Cola Zero.
14.
What is your go-to sad song?
Adele – “Someone Like You”
15.
What reality show would you most like to appear on?
I do not really watch a lot of reality TV, but in Korea I always enjoy Infinite Challenge. And online, I always see these shows that renovate old houses and in places like America, the houses are so big and beautiful. I think it would be fun to be on a show like that.
16.
What is your best beauty tip or trick?
Drink lots of water and lots of sleep.
17.
What is your favorite fast food your order?
Pepperoni pizza.
18.
What is your favorite pair of shoes that you own, and why?
Air Dior and Jordan collab. They are so nice to look at and you can just feel the quality, so those are my current favorite pair of shoes.
19.
Who would be the three headliners of the music festival of your dreams?
Alan Walker, Marshmello, …and me? Me! Kang Daniel.
