EXO’s Kai: From Military Service to Center Stage with ‘Wait On Me’ and ‘KAION’ Tour
EXO's Kai is back, and he's ready to reconnect with fans like never before! After completing his mandatory military service, the multi-talented artist is brimming with renewed energy and a fresh perspective, diving headfirst into his latest solo album, 'Wait On Me', and his first-ever solo concert tour, 'KAION'.
Kai recently graced the pages of Elle Korea, collaborating with Versace's fragrance Eros Energy for a stunning pictorial. In the accompanying interview, he reflected on his time away and his eagerness to engage with fans. "Since this is my first activity after being discharged, I feel like my energy to work has been fully recharged," Kai shared. "I want to let fans who haven’t seen me in two years know that we’ll be meeting more often now. I’m physically tired, but mentally I’m incredibly happy and feel very fulfilled because I’m confident that I’m doing the best I can right now."
His experience as a social service worker has also shaped his perspective. "I learned a lot through my experience as a social service worker," he noted. "My attitude toward people hasn’t changed, but I think that because I talk more about relatable, everyday experiences, many people are finding me more approachable."
Kai's upcoming solo concert tour, 'KAION,' is set to kick off in Seoul. He expresses his excitement, stating, "I'm nervous and excited, but above all, I feel happy. Most of my solo activities overlapped with the pandemic, so I didn’t have many chances to meet fans in person. In the past, I focused more on myself, but now I’m definitely more focused on connecting with the fans. I really want to show them a cool performance."
In an interview with NME, Kai delved deeper into the creative process behind 'Wait On Me,' revealing the internal conflict he faced. "Since there’s been a gap of two years, I was left with this lingering feeling, since I wasn’t able to perform on diverse stages to fans all over. It feels like I wasn’t really there fully for ‘Rover.’” He continued, "As I peeled off the layers of this album one by one, I realised that the best way was to just go with the flow." This realization led him to 'Adult Swim,' a single that embodies the resolution of his internal dilemma, sonically light and carefree while exploring themes of deep connection.
Kai's time in the military also spurred personal growth. "The biggest thing I realised about myself [in the military] is… that I used to be very firm in my opinions," he admitted. "I believed I was always correct, no matter what. But I was able to break a lot of those biases, and I wanted to fix this habit." This newfound openness has profoundly impacted his artistry.
And what about EXO? "EXO are the reason Kai exists, right?" he exclaimed, emphasizing his deep love and commitment to his groupmates. "For me, [performing] solo is also very important, but if it’s for the sake of EXO I could throw it all away. That’s how much I love EXO. Even in the future, I want to just be happy with my members, and I really miss them. I want to always be with them."
Kai's journey is a testament to his dedication and growth as an artist. From reflecting on his past to embracing the future, he's ready to embark on this new chapter with renewed passion and a stronger connection to his fans.
What are your thoughts on Kai's comeback? Share your excitement and opinions in the comments below!