[Exclusive Interview] KANG YUCHAN Breaks Out the Champagne for Solo Debut

Photo Cr. WAY BETTER

 

After years of captivating audiences as a main vocalist in A.C.E, and project group UNB, KANG YUCHAN has officially embarked on his solo journey with the release of his debut single 'Champagne Poppin' on July 10. The track delivers an irresistible bad boy charm through its sleek dance-pop sound rooted in UK Garage beats, complete with provocative lyrics that showcase a bold, confident persona. Working alongside WAY BETTER's producers HELLO GLOOM and dogshampoo, KANG YUCHAN personally contributed to the songwriting, crafting what his label describes as a foundation for his evolution "from an idol into a true artist and global pop star."

The debut single arrives with a striking visual narrative, featuring a music video directed by artist and video director from20 and starring global fashion model Park Heejung. Choreography by Street Man Fighter's Wootae adds another layer of sophistication to KANG YUCHAN's artistic presentation, creating a cohesive aesthetic that spans from the track's addictive rhythm to its sensual visuals. The song's defiant attitude, captured in lines that celebrate doubt and challenge expectations, reflects the artist's newfound creative confidence as he steps out from group dynamics into solo territory.

'Champagne Poppin' Music Video 

Streaming Link

YUCHAN’s debut represents more than just a career transition—it's a bold statement of artistic intent. WAY BETTER promises that this is only the beginning of KANG YUCHAN's journey to share his "unique worldview and performance style to audiences around the world." In our conversation, the artist opens up about the creative process behind his provocative debut, the challenges of establishing a solo identity, and his vision for what comes next in this exciting new chapter.

Greeting to readers:

How does it feel to step out as a solo artist after being part of groups? What new challenges are you most excited to tackle?

To be honest, the fact that I’ve debuted and I’m promoting as a solo artist still doesn’t feel real to me. Nevertheless, as I was preparing for this debut I talked a lot with the company. We exchanged a lot of opinions about how to make KANG YUCHAN’s charms stand out. I feel that there will be many challenges coming my way as I continue to promote, and I’m excited to take them on, whatever they may be.

그룹 활동 이후 솔로 아티스트로 나서게 된 기분이 어떤가요? 새롭게 도전하고 싶은 부분은 어떤 점인가요?

솔로 아티스트로서 활동을 하게 된 것이 사실 실감이 나지 않습니다. 그럼에도 불구하고 회사와 많은 얘기를 나누면서, 어떻게 하면 강유찬의 매력을 더 잘 보여줄 수 있을지 고민을 많이 했던 것 같습니다. 앞으로의 활동에서 정말 많은 도전을 하게 될 것 같습니다. 그게 어떤 것이든지요.

"Champagne Poppin'" has this irresistible bad boy charm with provocative lyrics like "I love it when you doubt me." What inspired this confident, almost defiant attitude in your debut single?

I think it’s because I have trust - both in this company and in myself. I’m confident in the content the company creates, and I also believe in my own ability to carry it out well. That’s probably why those kinds of expressions came through in the lyrics and the visuals.

‘Champagne Poppin'’은 “I love it when you doubt me” “날 의심할 때가 제일 좋아” 같은 도발적인 가사와 함께 저항적인 매력을 가진 곡입니다. 데뷔곡에서 이런 자신감 넘치는 태도를 표현하게 된 계기는 무엇인가요? 아무래도 이 회사와 저를 믿기 때문인 것 같아요. 회사에서 만들어지는 콘텐츠에 대한 자신감도 있고, 그 콘텐츠를 소화하는 저 자신에 대한 자신감도 있기 때문에 가사와 영상 등에서 그런 표현들이 나오지 않았나 생각합니다.

You personally contributed to the lyrics of this track. Can you walk us through your songwriting process and what personal experiences or emotions you drew from?

I don’t know if I should express it as a “wannabe”, but I wanted to create a character that is so magnetic and has so much appeal that you just can’t help but fall in love with it. You know, just how you can’t help but crush on bad boys…?^^ If that was conveyed well, then I’d say it was a real success.

이번 곡의 작사에 직접 참여하셨는데 작사 과정과 어떤 개인적인 경험이나 감정을 바탕으로 했는지 들려주실 수 있나요? 이걸 ‘워너비’라고 해야 할지는 모르겠지만... 정말 나쁜데 너무 매력이 있어서 사랑할 수밖에 없는, 그런 캐릭터가 되고 싶었어요. 나쁜 남자에게 끌릴 수밖에 없는 그런...? ^^ 그게 잘 표현됐다면 정말 성공적인 거죠.

The song is rooted in UK Garage with a sleek dance-pop sound. What drew you to this particular genre, and how does it represent your musical identity?

I think the reason I really grew to love this song was because I got to work on it with HELLO GLOOM, who’s not only the producer of the track but also our company’s CEO. I was the one to record the demo for this song, even before we started working on my debut, so I grew attached to it. When we were talking with the company about which song to pick as the debut single, we came to the conclusion that 'Champagne Poppin' suits artist KANG YUCHAN the best, and also outlines the direction in which we want to go in my solo career. We proceeded with this song right away.

이번 곡은 UK 개러지를 기반으로 한 세련된 댄스팝 사운드가 인상적인데요, 이 장르에 끌리게 된 이유와 본인의 음악적 정체성과 어떻게 연결되는지 궁금합니다. 사실 이 곡이 좋아지게 된 계기는, 이 곡의 프로듀서이자 대표님인 HELLO GLOOM님과 작업을 하게 된 이후부터였던 것 같아요. 제가 데모를 직접 녹음했었기 때문에 이 곡에 조금 더 애착이 가기도 했고요! 회사와 첫 솔로곡을 어떤 곡으로 할지 회의하면서, ‘Champagne Poppin’’이 강유찬의 첫 곡으로 가장 잘 어울리고, 방향성을 가장 잘 보여줄 수 있을 것 같다는 의견이 많아서 바로 진행하게 되었습니다. Do you have any funny stories from filming the music video?

There are so many, but the one that would be the most memorable to me is the wound! I had an SFX wound on my face, and surprisingly I looked pretty good with it? I thought “My personal color must be wounds…”. Also, there is a scene where I pop the champagne open, you can clearly see how surprised I was. If you’re curious, check out the music video (laughs).

뮤직비디오 촬영 중에 있었던 재미있는 에피소드가 있다면 들려주세요!

너무 많지만, 제 기억에 남는 일화를 말씀드리자면… 일단 상처! 제가 상처 분장을 했는데 생각보다 굉장히 잘 어울리더라고요? 그때 생각했죠. “나의 퍼스널 컬러는 상처구나...” 그리고 샴페인을 따는 씬에서는 많이 놀란 저를 보실 수 있을 거예요. 궁금하시다면 뮤비를 시청해주세요ㅎㅎ

From the lyrics to the visuals to the choreography, there's a very cohesive "bad boy" aesthetic. Was this a conscious choice to establish a specific image for your solo career?

What’s most important in my solo activities is showing how multifaceted and sincere I can be as an artist. With this ‘bad boy’ image I portrayed this time, I was able to showcase the bold rebel within me, but with the next release, I don’t know myself, what type of me will be revealed. I don’t want to tie myself to one category exclusively. This time you could see the bad, bold and disobeying persona, but the next YUCHAN will be different. I want to become a diverse artist that makes people curious about what kind of image KANG YUCHAN will present next.

가사부터 비주얼, 안무까지 전반적으로 "배드보이" 콘셉트가 일관되게 느껴지는데, 솔로 활동을 위한 이미지 설정으로 의도된 부분이었을까요? 제 솔로 활동에서 가장 중요한 부분은 저를 얼마나 솔직하고 다양하게 꺼내 보일 수 있느냐인 것 같아요. 이번에는 ‘배드보이’라는 이미지 안에서, 제가 평소 가지고 있던 과감함과 반항적인 에너지를 보여드렸다면 다음에는 또 어떤 저를 꺼낼지는 저도 모릅니다. 저는 어떤 하나의 카테고리에 저를 묶고 싶지 않아요. 이번엔 나쁘고, 과감하고, 반항적인 저였다면 다음엔 또 다른 모습으로, 늘 사람들이 ‘이번엔 어떤 유찬일까?’ 하고 기대하게 되는 아티스트가 되고 싶어요.

What aspects of your personality and perspective are you most excited to share through your solo work?

“WAY BETTER’s KANG YUCHAN is a pop star” – I want to showcase this aspect. I think it’s possible because there’s a company that creates content that makes you feel that way and an artist who brings it to life on stage.

솔로 활동을 통해 어떤 성격이나 관점을 가장 보여주고 싶으신가요? ‘웨이베러의 아티스트 강유찬은 팝스타다.’라는 관점을 보여주고 싶습니다. 그렇게 느끼실 수 있는 콘텐츠를 만들어주는 회사와, 그걸 플레이하는 아티스트가 있으니 가능한 일이라고 생각합니다.

What do you hope listeners will discover about KANG YUCHAN, the solo artist?

There are so many sides of me that I wasn’t able to show you before, and having already made these first steps as a solo artist, I was able to show you one of them. If you have felt the charm, then I can only assure you that you will discover more various charms as my career goes on. These are not ones that I can put into words, so you will have to check them out for yourselves personally.

청자들이 솔로 아티스트 강유찬에게서 어떤 모습을 발견하게 되길 바라시나요? 이제 첫 스텝을 밟은 저의 솔로 활동에서 이전에는 보지 못했던 제 모습들을 보시고 매력을 느끼셨다면, 앞으로 보여드릴 솔로 아티스트 강유찬의 모습에서는 정말 더 다양하고 많은 매력을 발견하시게 될 거예요.

어떤 한 단어나 문장으로 단정 지을 수 없는 그 매력들을, 여러분이 직접 알아봐 주실 거라 믿습니다.

You'll be performing "Champagne Poppin'" at KCON LA in August. How are you preparing for this debut performance, and what can fans expect? Just like I always have, I’m preparing to deliver a perfect live performance! But this time, I’m especially focused on creating a stage where I can jump, breathe, and truly enjoy the moment together with my fans – that’s the part I’ve been thinking about the most. 8월 KCON LA에서 ‘Champagne Poppin'’ 무대를 선보일 예정인데요. 데뷔 무대를 위해 어떻게 준비하고 계신지, 팬들이 어떤 무대를 기대해도 좋을지 알려주세요. 지금까지 그래왔듯, 완벽한 라이브 무대를 만들기 위해 준비하고 있습니다! 다만 이번에는, 팬분들과 함께 뛰고 호흡하며 즐길 수 있는 무대가 될 수 있도록 그 부분을 가장 많이 고민하고 있어요!

Do you have a message for the fans who support you?

I was only able to debut as a solo artist thanks to your neverchanging love and support. I want to repay you for it with good music and engaging activities, so we can be happy together for a long time. Thank you. I love you always.

항상 응원해주는 팬들에게 전하고 싶은 메시지가 있다면요? 늘 저에게 사랑과 응원을 보내주시는 팬분들이 계시기에 솔로 아티스트로 데뷔할 수 있었습니다. 제가 받은 사랑과 응원을 좋은 음악과 활동으로 꼭 돌려드리고 싶어요. 그로 인해 우리가 함께 행복할 수 있도록 :) 항상 감사하고 사랑합니다.

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IG: KANG YUCHAN https://www.instagram.com/chan_fficial

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Special thanks for KANG YUCHAN and WAY BETTER for the interview!