Kihyun’s ‘BORDERLINE’ (Forbes exclusive)
Starship Entertainment
Kihyun was just 21 years old when he debuted with MONSTA X in 2015. He was still in his 20s when he released his first solo single, “Voyager,” and album, YOUTH. Now in his 30s and with over 10 years in the music industry, he’s ready to show a deeper, more mature side of himself with his new EP, BORDERLINE.
The concepts shown for BORDERLINE with Kihyun at the airport and surrounded by travel elements make so much sense, as he’s become so worldly throughout his young life. The seven-track pop-rock-driven EP isn’t so much about his youth and the nostalgia behind it as about the complex road he’s on now.
In the trailer, released last week, Kihyun stated, “When you travel, you inevitably come across paths you never expected. Moments when you step away from familiar directions and find yourself standing before a landscape you’ve never seen before. I was going through a time like that, too. Not knowing exactly where I was headed, I spent more time thinking about what kind of person I wanted to become. The traces of those steps gradually formed a path of their own, and now, I’m trying to complete a map that feels most like myself.”
With age comes wisdom, and for Kihyun, his music showcases that, as he uses his powerful, soulful voice to tell his story. Known best to his fans as the gentleman of the group (all of them are, but Kihyun is so fancy), he has always been seen as the level-headed one who seems to know what he’s doing or where he’s headed.
Even in your 30s (or even older), you don’t know everything or should – and this album isn’t about knowing everything already. The album is basically him declaring, I don’t know where I’m going, but I know who I am – let’s go.
Kihyun’s title track, “So Good,” says it all: he is confident in himself yet grapples with the constant pressure to “find the right answer” or be depended on. Rather than staying in that doubt, he faces it head-on: “Yeah, I’m so good at getting so down / Yeah, I’m so good at losing my mind.” The accompanying music video, set against an alien invasion with a half-destroyed spaceship and everything in ruins, is basically Kihyun just surviving the chaos and moving forward freely.
The rest of the tracks play on elements of pop, alternative pop, pop rock, modern band sounds, and slow jams. His opening track, “Borderline,” plays in the alternative rock vein, with electric guitar riffs, drums, and harmonies. He is just rocking out to keep going: “Keep me on the borderline / Keep me on the edge.”
“Stealin Air” plays on Kihyun’s smooth R&B sound, featuring soft melodies and his skilled falsettos. It’s a song about falling in love – or lust – while out on the town. It’s a very intriguing track. “Dominos” is a pop-led track that feels like an earworm, beginning slowly and steadily but bursting into the chorus, which, when you listen to the lyrics, makes sense – searching for freedom and happiness before all the dominoes fall.
Kihyun’s ‘BORDERLINE’
Starship Entertainment
“Lazy Day” has a very similar premise to Bruno Mars’ The Lazy Song,’ but is different in style, as Kihyun’s version is soft pop rock. Kihyun’s “Lazy Day” is all about just taking it easy and enjoying every aspect of life. This is especially important for him because it feels like he’s been going and going since he debuted.
Kihyun brings back the R&B slow jams with “Late Night Drive,” highlighting his velvety, soulful vocals, sexy lyrics, and that smooth saxophone solo. According to the press release, the song “embraces the quiet intimacy of a nighttime journey shared between two people.” He ends the EP with a passionate alt-pop-rock track about feeling this strong emotion for someone. The feeling is so strong that he is “howling at the moon.”
Kihyun expands his sound with the EP, letting his vocals speak for themselves with his impressive range. With alternative rock, he gets to play with his strong falsettos and lower registers. His powerful belting makes him perfect for this style of music, which feels so raw, relatable, and on the edge of something greater – like a borderline.
Kihyun’s BORDERLINE is available on all streaming platforms. Physical albums are available at select retailers.