Kai from Exo’s Covid-19-safe album release: a racy K-pop YouTube video teaser and an online launch alongside bandmate Baekhyun

Dec 6 , 2020

Kai from K-pop group Exo just released his first solo album, giving him an even bigger platform to show off his dance moves and good looks. Photo: SM Entertainment

The dance legend talked about the ‘powerful and sexy performances’ on opening track Mmmh, how he strived to prepare performances that match the mood of each song and why he’s looking forward to the K-pop group’s new chapter

Fans of Kai from Exo will know that the young star brims with confidence on stage – he’s never been shy when it comes to expressing himself in front of a crowd, which is just one of the reasons why he has a global fan base these days.

Kai is going solo. Photo: SM Entertainment

A famously gifted dancer, Kai – whose real name is Kim Jong-in – unleashed his first solo album at the end of November. However it seemed like the new endeavour has been nerve-racking even for him, as fans couldn’t help but notice him trying to conceal a nervous smile during an online press conference for the launch. Luckily he also had fellow Exo member Baekhyun beside him as MC for moral support.

“I have had a lot of press events so far [since my debut in 2012], but today I am the most nervous,” said Kai, 26, at the event. “I decided on a self-titled album this time because my name means ‘to open’ in Chinese. I thought it would be meaningful to have it as the title for my first solo effort.”

He elaborated, “I want to open people’s minds with the new release and show off different charms I have. Many think I am hard to approach because of Exo's strong image, but I am actually not.”

The singer took part in the making of the album, eponymously titled “Kai”, from beginning to end. He selected all the tracks, took part in crafting the choreography and worked on the visual aspects too.

“All songs from the album have different stories,” he said. “Hello Stranger, for instance, is about my well of inspiration.”

Hello Stranger is one of six tracks on the R&B-influenced album. Its opener is Mmmh, a slyly addictive track that tells the tale of a man who boldly approaches his crush.