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| Photo Cr. NAKED |
KINO has released his second EP, "EVERYBODY'S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE'S TO BLAME", marking a bold departure from the polished image expected of K-pop idols. The album represents an unflinching exploration of his inner world, one he describes as devoid of "fantasy or happiness" and instead filled with "anxiety, depression, greed, and anger."
A Confession Beyond the Stage
"We're all guilty, but no one can blame us," KINO declares, setting the tone for what he calls a confession to those who see him as "a beautiful flower garden." The 27-year-old artist poses a vulnerable question to his audience: "Can you love even Kang Hyung-gu like this?"
For KINO, this album is more than music—it's an act of liberation. He reveals that for the past 15 years, he has reshaped himself to fit standards set by others, creating a version of himself that aligned with public expectations. While he insists this wasn't entirely a lie—"Kino has always been Kang Hyung-gu"—he acknowledges a hidden side that judged himself according to what people wanted to see.
Behind the "gentle, neat, and tidy image portrayed in the media, brimming with happiness," KINO describes a young man grappling with anxiety, depression, and instinctual emotions. He emphasizes that this struggle isn't unique to K-pop idols but reflects the experience of any "ordinary twenty-something, eager to imagine and enjoy myself to the fullest."
The turning point came when he accepted these darker aspects of himself. "The moment I accepted that side of myself, I began to love myself even more," he shares. This self-acceptance, however imperfect, became the foundation for the album's creation.
Honesty as an Act of Courage
For KINO, honesty represents both a challenge and an act of tremendous courage. He describes lying to himself, denying his true feelings in every moment—whether pain, exhaustion, annoyance, or desire. Revealing these "shameful inner feelings" stems from a deep yearning for freedom and a desire to be loved as "Kang Hyung-gu," not as a carefully packaged "Kino."
"It's okay. I might be disappointed in you, but there are many people who can love you even like that," he tells himself, offering reassurance that vulnerability won't lead to abandonment.
The EP represents what KINO calls "the first step toward liberation from the comfort zone where I've been controlled and surrounded by gazes." In sharing his most difficult emotions with the world, he invites listeners to embrace their own complexity—to recognize that being guilty of imperfection doesn't mean anyone is to blame.
The title song 'Dirty Boy' featuring Jamie and UWA is a dance track that shows off KINO's sleek moves. With lyrics like;
Can I break it? Break it! Break it? Yes, break it, all of it. You don't have to give a damn about a thing. If you need me, find me in Berlin Yeah , shut up and dance.
The song captures KINO's desire to break free from expectations and societal constraints, inviting listeners to abandon their worries on the dance floor. It's a defiant anthem that perfectly embodies the album's central theme—embracing imperfection and living authentically without seeking permission or approval from others.
Listen to "EVERYBODY'S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE'S TO BLAME"