DAY6's DOWOON first solo single is a breath of fresh air in the K-pop industry

When you get the chance to become, in some way, part of the DAY6 world, you find that these guys are so talented on so many levels, and they have a lot of layers to explore. Talking with DOWOON, the group's drummer who recently turned into a solo artist, was like having a refreshing Sunday afternoon with a friend. The DAY6 maknae debuted with his first solo track, "Out of the Blue," on September 27. When you listen to it, you can feel the whole essence of DOWOON.

Panorama.it spoke with him in an exclusive interview.

Congratulations on your first single! Can you tell us more about it?

First of all, my agency suggested me saying, "Try making a song," "How about if you release your own song?" (That's how I started) So it wasn't quite easy making the song. I spent more time than the other members, and for the lyrics, since it was my very first time writing one, I asked for lots of advice from the people around me to make this album. It's very special to me. My very first album.

“Out Of The Blue" is your first digital single. How did you choose the title of it?

So, I asked a friend of mine for advice, and we were talking about how to write the lyrics. That friend said, "How about something like, 'I just came up with this out of the blue,'" and I thought, "That's actually great. I think of that often, and people would relate to it by thinking of it too. And I think it's also a great subject to write about my story." So that's how I ended up with the title Out of The Blue.

You are a drummer but you participated in writing and composing your track. How do you feel about it?

This was a challenge I wanted to share with the people around me. "See? I did it, so you can do it too." I really didn't think I'd be able to release this album. I didn't even imagine doing something like this, but having this accomplished, I do believeit was a very meaningful try. And, before anything else, this entire challenge was possible because I had so many wonderful people around me.

In this song, you duet with Song Heejin. How did you end up working together?

Luckily… There's this guy named Kevin, who worked with us for DAY6's songs. He got married last year or the year before that, and thankfully his wife was Heejin. I was thinking it was a bit of a pressure for me to fill the whole song with my voice and that I needed a featuring vocalist. Kevin's wife happened to be Heejin, and when I heard her sing, I thought, "Wow, she's a singer who could give various colors with her voice," and that it'd be great to collaborate with her, so that's how we ended up working together.

I really love the lyrics "구름 아래 떠가는 꽃가루 같네 / 생각은 자꾸자꾸 번져만 가네 / 어디서 떠오를지 어디에 도착할지 / 아무도 모르겠지". Where do you think your road will lead you?

My road… I'm not sure. Even I don't know where it'd lead me. I think I'm still searching for my road. Still walking, and I think nobody knows, just like in the lyrics. I'm still walking.

The lyrics are really profound but the rhythm is catchy and express all kind of good feelings. Even the concept you portrayed has a relaxing feeling. Are you trying to be a comfortable presence in My Day's lives?

First of all, yes, I do very much want to be a comfortable presence in My Day's lives. I really do. But I think I have to be comfortable and determined with my own life first. Otherwise, I won't have the space or have the right to give such things to others and to our My Day. So, for now, I'm in the process of building my comfort and making my mind healthy first.

Who is DOWOON now and what are you planning next?

I'm currently in a very unstable state, but I'm making various trials to find my own path from there. Trying this, trying that,think a lot. Some say too much thinking isn't favorable, but my time being is a time for me to think a lot. So, while thinking hard, I'm trying my best to find my healthy mind that I've mentioned earlier.