KAI SAYS HIS STRENGTH IS 'WALKING A UNIQUE PATH,' READY FOR 1ST WORLD TOUR
| ▲ Musical singer-actor Kai speaks during an interview in Seoul on April 16, 2024, in this photo provided by EMK Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, April 17 (Yonhap) -- "I guess my strongest weapon is my gut to take the unique paths as a musical actor."
Debuting as a crossover singer rather than an actor, Kai has indeed walked an exceptional path.
It's rare for a performer to debut as a crossover artist and ascend to leading roles in major theaters.
His academic background -- culminating in a doctoral degree after completing both bachelor's and master's degrees in vocal music at Seoul National University -- is also quite distinctive.
The upcoming world tour concert 'KAI INTO THE WORLD,' set to commence on the 28th, will highlight his exceptional journey. Being the first solo Korean musical actor to embark on a world tour amplifies the significance of this event.
However, Kai explicitly states that he isn't walking a unique path to earn the title of being the first. For him, this tour is an opportunity to showcase his favorite music in his own unique way.
In his interview held at the EMK Musical Company building on the 16th, Kai expressed, "This tour, titled 'KAI INTO THE WORLD,' feels overly grandiose for an event where I'll be singing while playing the piano, rather than a grand-scale idol dome tour. It's an opportunity for me to present the thoughts I've accumulated so far through music in a modest manner abroad."
| ▲ A world tour poster of musical singer-actor Kai, provided by EMK Entertainment on April 17, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
'KAI INTO THE WORLD' will kick off at Tokyo's Dohton Hall on the 28th and continue for two months, including stops in New York and LA in May and Chongqing, China, before concluding on June 29th at the Seoul Arts Center Recital Hall.
Of note is the New York performance, primarily held at Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, known for chamber music performances. This presents a unique opportunity for Kai, a vocal major, to share the stage with world-class artists.
Kai mentioned, "I was initially hesitant when the Carnegie Hall performance was confirmed. I believe my accumulated experiences, both big and small, may have contributed. The format of the performance is also influenced by classical concert formats."
During this tour, Kai's stage will solely feature his voice and a piano. While the performance program consists of musical numbers, the format resembles that of a traditional vocal recital.
He prepared a diverse selection of songs, including numbers from famous musicals like 'Les Misérables' and 'The Phantom of the Opera,' as well as Korean musical pieces like 'Frankenstein' and 'Ben-Hur,' infused with Korean melodies and emotions.
Kai remarked, "A piece from the musical 'The Sword of Fire,' performed in the early 2000s, is also included in the repertoire. Although there isn't the flashy appeal typical of a musical stage, I hope this concert, like a bowl of warm soup served in an old restaurant, offers a deep and rich charm."
| ▲ Musical singer-actor Kai speaks during an interview in Seoul on April 16, 2024, in this photo provided by EMK Entertainment. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Looking ahead, Kai expressed his desire to venture onto international stages and hold concerts if given the opportunity. He plans to organize another tour in the latter half of the year, including regions missed in this tour.
He emphasized, "Regardless of the scale, having new encounters as a popular singer is a valuable experience. Some may view world tours as frivolous, but for me, it's about going without a specific purpose, with the hope of becoming a slightly better person along the way."
Additionally, Kai highlighted his hope that this tour becomes a guiding light for his juniors. He aims to share his experiences with a wider audience and inspire others.
"I have confidence that K-musicals are still growing and will continue to grow. I hope this world tour sparks a small flame for my juniors following in my footsteps."
| ▲ A profile photo of musical singer-actor Kai, provided by EMK Entertainment on April 17, 2024. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |