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KINO gives insights in a candid discussion, including his label, how he’s overwhelmed at the reception of his new EP in India, and how being an idol was his true calling “My ultimate goal as a musician is to sing ‘our’ stories on stage with people for the rest of my life”—KINO. Photo courtesy of NAKED Being an idol was KINO’s calling. Known best as a member of the boy group Pentagon, the 26-year-old artist has also launched his brand, NAKED, wanting to try something different.

But he says he’s like anyone else. “It may seem like I’m lying to look good to people, but actually, my life as an idol is almost the same as my normal life.” Once, a young KINO was inspired by a concert video of to sing on stage and was challenged to accomplish it in K-pop, following his dreams.



Another inspiring success story over rough patches. “I’ve always been judged by the public; there were setbacks, and I shed a lot of tears.” That isn’t a negative memory, though.

“It made me grow as a human being,” and in the process, he found himself turning the page—conquering pain—and graduating into an exciting future. KINO’s debut album, , was released in 2022 before he left Cube Entertainment in 2023. NAKED was set up later that year, continuing to release his music, culminating in the latest EP, .

NAKED is a vehicle for KINO’s creative expression, to realize ideas he had for a solo career, and, as he puts it, “to distinguish myself from others.” It encapsulat.

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