DAVIDE K-POP

KINO is a multi-talented artist recognised globally as a vocalist, songwriter, and dancer of the acclaimed K-pop group PENTAGON, which debuted in 2016. Known for his expressive artistry and creative versatility, KINO has been a consistent force in PENTAGON’s music, co-composing and co-writing numerous tracks for the group throughout his career.

Since stepping into his solo career, KINO has embraced a new level of creative autonomy. Following his departure from Cube Entertainment in 2023, he established his own independent music label, NAKED, reflecting his aspiration to present an unfiltered, genuine version of himself to his audience. This bold move into his “CEO era” solidified his path as a self-managed, independent artist focused on fearless and honest musical exploration.

His latest work is the second mini-album, EVERYBODY’S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE’S TO BLAME. This release sees KINO push boundaries, exploring complex themes of self-acceptance, rebellion, and freedom through his distinctive blend of easy-listening pop and edgy sounds. The album has been met with excitement, demonstrating his strength as a writer and producer.

KINO is now bringing this new chapter to the stage with his World Tour FREE KINO, including a stop in the UK. We are so excited for KINO to perform live at The Garage in London on Saturday, February 7th, 2026. You can find tickets at this link.

To dive deeper into the inspirations and creative process behind his new music, we sat down for an exclusive interview with KINO to discuss the album, the tour, and his journey as a completely independent artist.

Davide: Hello KINO, thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. It’s a real pleasure to welcome you! How are you doing?
KINO: I’m doing great. Thank you! It’s been a crazy few months preparing the album and now the world tour, but I’m enjoying every part of it. I think this album gave me new energy. It feels like I finally got to show the side of me that’s been waiting to be free for a long time.

Davide: Let’s jump right into your second mini-album EVERYBODY’S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE’S TO BLAME. I must be honest; I’ve been incredibly impressed. It showcases a wide range of genres, but they blend together so seamlessly. What was the overall inspiration behind this album, and what core message were you hoping to deliver with it?
KINO: Thank you so much. I wanted this album to feel like a mirror. Not only for me, but for anyone who listens. We all carry flaws we just want to keep it to ourselves, and sometimes we hide them just to survive. But I realised those flaws are also what make us human. So the message is simple. We’re all guilty of something, but that doesn’t mean we deserve to be  blamed or blame others because they are different. I wanted to create a space where people can just breathe, without pretending to be perfect all the time.

Davide: You’ve been involved in the writing and composition of nearly every track. Your passion is clearly evident in the quality of this entire project. Let’s focus on the first title track, “DIRTY BOY” featuring JAMIE, UWA. What was the specific inspiration for this song? And why did you choose to collaborate with JAMIE and UWA for this track?
KINO: “DIRTY BOY” started from a personal conflict. I was tired of being seen as the “good boy”. The polite idol who never breaks rules. But deep down, I have emotions that are messy, selfish, and some instinctive. So I decided to turn that frustration into a celebration instead of guilt. JAMIE has been a friend for years, and she understands that emotional duality really well. So, she represents my inner voice in the song. UWA on the other hand, represents freedom to me (and in the song). She lives life with confidence and it shows. I wanted have a feature whole takes the role to guide me to break free, and she was the perfect fit for it. Together, they completed the song’s balance between temptation and liberation. That’s why I chose them as featuring artists.

Davide: What does the phrase “dirty boy” mean to you personally, especially as the central concept of your promoted title track and within the context of your artistic expression?
KINO: For me, “Dirty Boy” isn’t about being vulgar.  It’s about being real. It’s about acknowledging that I’m not flawless and that’s okay. In a song, it has a dual meaning. Me calling myself “dirty” because of “good boy syndrome” I lived with, but also portrays people calling me that because I don’t behave according to their rules. I used to think showing imperfections would make me lose respect, but now I believe honesty earns a deeper connection. So that “dirty” doesn’t mean “bad.” It means alive. It means I’m finally unveiled, even if it may make some people uncomfortable.

Davide: The music video for “DIRTY BOY” is striking, and I really love the choreography. What is the central story or narrative the music video is telling, and what message were you trying to convey visually?
KINO: The “DIRTY BOY” mv tells the story of people finding freedom from the daily routine they are trapped in (including me!). It starts with the morning work commute scene, the kind of routine everyone goes through, and then slowly turns into a moment where everything breaks loose and people finally feel free. By the end, we dance wildly, and celebrate freedom together. What makes it special is that we actually recreated the exact bus stop in front of my company for the shoot. And having UWA appear in the video complete performance. Her energy added a real sense of freedom.

Davide: Your second promoted track, “CLUB SEX CIGARETTES” also has a music video and is personally one of my favourites—I love the punk rock sound and it’s so refreshing from standard K-pop music. What is the story or moment that inspired this specific song and its unique sound?
KINO: That song came from a very real frustration and the pressure I felt every day, dealing with people who were living lies; pretending to be one thing but doing the worst at the back. It’s about reaching a point where you just can’t put a polite smile anymore towards the hypocrisy. The lyrics and the music video both exaggerate that feeling of rebellion. Things that break social manners or things people usually are judgemental of. 

Davide: Speaking of your involvement, which song on the album was the most fulfilling or exciting for you creatively to put together, and which one was the most challenging or emotional to complete, and why?
KINO: Creatively, the most satisfying track was “WURK.” It was really exciting to mix Korean traditional elements like “Jajinmori” with a modern sound. I’d never tried fusing something so traditional with modern sounds, so the whole process felt fresh and fun. 
And the hardest song emotionally was “ANNIE.” I wrote most of it during a period when I was honestly at my lowest. I remember sitting alone in my room, feeling extremely empty, and writing the lyrics while crying. Every line came from a very real place, so finishing that track took a lot out of me. It also became one of the most meaningful songs on the album.

Davide: This comeback introduces themes of ‘sex’ and ‘naughtiness’ in a very elevated and refreshing way. This topic is often taboo in K-pop, yet it’s a normal part of the human experience. Why did you choose to be so open about exploring this theme, and why do you think it’s important to approach it in your artistry?
KINO: Because I don’t see those topics as “taboo.” They’re just part of being human. The problem isn’t the feeling itself. It’s the fear of showing it. I wanted to make people realise that desire, attraction, or even temptation can be honest, not dirty. My intention was never to provoke but to normalise. Music should be a space where we can talk about what we all feel but are too afraid to say out loud.

Davide: For someone listening to KINO for the very first time, which single track from this album would you recommend they start with to truly understand your artistry?
KINO: I would recommend “DIRTY BOY.” It shows both the sound and the mindset behind this album. The frustration, humour, freedom, and confidence. All mixed into this track. And it’s the moment where I stopped trying to look perfect and started showing the real me. If someone listens to only one song and thinks, “OK, I get what he is trying to say,” it would probably be this one.

Davide: We’re all incredibly excited about your World Tour, and of course, your stop in London on February 7th, 2026! What can fans expect from these live performances, and is there anything specific you’re looking forward to showing your UK fans?
KINO: The London show is going to feel very different in a good way. This tour is called “FREE KINO”, so the whole concept is about breaking out of pressure and becoming free again. I want the audience to sing loud with me, move with me, and feel like they’re shaking off whatever has been holding them down. And London fans are always passionate and special. So I’m looking forward to performing songs like “DIRTY BOY” and “CLUB SEX CIGARETTES”, blasting the energy out. 

Davide: You’ve excelled both as a solo artist and as a member of PENTAGON. When approaching a new project, what are the key differences or unique challenges you face when working solo compared to creating music with your group?
KINO: The biggest difference is that, as a solo artist, every decision comes back to me. In a group, responsibilities were evenly shared. One person handled vocals, another performance, another mood making. But now, I have to manage all of that alone. It’s exciting, but also a lot of weight. Sometimes I miss the comfortable chaos of being in a group. But working solo also lets me express things that only I want to talk about. That’s the part that keeps me going.

Davide: With such a busy schedule, what are some of your favourite hobbies or ways to truly relax and recharge away from the music studio and stage?
KINO: Rest for me usually means something very simple these days. I take short walks, watch random video clips while eating, or just lie on the floor. When my schedule is tight, those small moments feel like a real reset. But I really want to paint again haha. It’s been such a long time that I drew something.

Davide: I’ll be launching a series of podcasts/videos soon, and I have scheduled an episode dedicated to diving even deeper into this album, so please look forward to it! Maybe one day, I could have you as a guest! 
KINO: I would love that! Please invite me anytime. I’m always happy to talk about music, and this album especially has so many layers we couldn’t possibly cover in one interview.
So if you ever want to dig deeper. Behind the lyrics and emotions, or even the things I couldn’t fully explain today. I’ll comeback!

Davide: Thank you so much, KINO, for your time. It has been an absolute pleasure diving into the creative process of EVERYBODY’S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE’S TO BLAME and getting to know you more. We are all eagerly looking forward to your World Tour kicking off! For now, keep safe and healthy, and I hope to see you soon!
KINO: Thank you so much for having me. I’m working hard to prepare for the world tour, including the London show, so I hope we can meet very soon and share all this music in person. Until then, please stay well!

That’s all for today! Make sure to support KINO and stream his latest album EVERYBODY’S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE’S TO BLAME.
Catch KINO in Europe in 2026, all dates and tickets on Onion Production’s website.

Images courtesy of NAKED.