K-pop idol Kangmin shares personal reflections on career development, mental health, and self-acceptance in his debut solo album and offers advice to fans, drawing from his eight years in the industry.

Finding Purpose and Navigating Life's Demands

The feeling of being small, fragile, yet persevering resonates with many, especially when navigating career complexities and making life changes. This sentiment is captured in VERIVERY’s Kangmin’s debut solo album, released on March 26th, titled “Small, fragile, and still here.” The album’s three tracks explore his personal fears and self-doubts, offering a relatable perspective from someone who debuted in the K-pop industry at 15.

The Importance of Personal Motivation

Kangmin addresses the struggle to balance life’s demands and find purpose, emphasizing that questioning priorities is a positive step. He recalls arguing with his parents about studying, initially unable to see its value. His path changed when he was street-cast into K-pop, giving him a clear motivation: to debut and succeed.

He stresses the importance of finding personal reasons for pursuing goals and adapting them as milestones are reached. Kangmin encourages exploration, comparing it to discovering new musical genres, and highlights that trying different experiences is crucial to finding what resonates.

Dealing with Comparison and Stress

Kangmin openly admits to struggling with comparison to peers, a feeling expressed in his album’s intro lyrics, questioning his worth and the pursuit of validation. However, he reframes stress not as inherently negative, but as a challenge in how one responds to it.

Lessons from 'Boys II Planet'

His experience on the reality survival show ‘Boys II Planet’ taught him to focus on self-improvement, seek advice, and appreciate the strengths of others, rather than succumbing to despair. Kangmin emphasizes that self-improvement should stem from a foundation of self-acceptance.

He points out that the K-pop industry values the contribution of every group, not solely rewarding winners. He balances self-critique with the support of family, friends, group members, and fans, acknowledging their honest feedback.

Embracing Imperfection and Continued Growth

Kangmin encourages readers to identify their support system – those who offer genuine encouragement and guidance. He shares a hopeful outlook, inspired by his promise to be “carved prettily through the winds of time,” trusting that continued growth will lead to something beautiful.

He acknowledges the frustration of feeling stagnant, but offers a message of perseverance and self-compassion, recognizing that finding answers to life’s big questions is an ongoing journey.