Lee Hangyul Almost Left Music, Now He is Going Solo Saying "I Wanted To Try Again"

After nine years of navigating the K-POP industry through multiple groups, survival programs and career setbacks, singer Lee Hangyul admitted that he once questioned whether he should continue pursuing music at all.

At the media showcase held at the Red Button Culture Stage in Gangnam in order to commemorate his first solo mini-album "NOISE," Hangyul took time to reflect on the uncertainty that preceded his decision to return to the stage.

"Over the past nine years, I've tried many things, taken on different challenges and faced a lot of setbacks. There were also many times when things didn't work out, so I started wondering whether I should take a break," he said.

While he began questioning his career, Hangyul eventually realized that his attachment to the stage had not disappeared, explaining, "I realized that I still missed being on stage. I also felt that everything I had worked for until now would be such a waste to leave behind, so I decided to challenge myself once again," he explained.

Hangyul made his debut in 2017 as a member of IM before gaining wider recognition through Mnet's survival program "Produce X 101." He subsequently promoted with X1, H&D and BAE173, experiencing several transitions throughout his career. After signing with ORCA MUSIC in August 2026, he began preparing for his first solo mini-album, marking a new chapter after years of group activities.

The album's title, "NOISE," reflects the pressure of outside expectations, personal doubts and the uncertainty that accompanied his career. Rather than allowing those voices to determine his direction, Hangyul hopes to establish a clearer musical identity of his own.

When asked about the expectations he wanted to overcome in this process, Hangyul explained that some of his greatest obstacles had come from questioning his own decisions to return.

"I kept wondering whether all the effort I had put in was right and whether the path I had been following was really the one I should take," he said, adding that his solo debut represents an attempt to move beyond those doubts.

The five-track album is led by title track "BUNZI," a Latin pop-inspired song built around a prominent bass line and rhythmic production. Its message centers on overcoming fear and hesitation before taking a leap toward new possibilities, reflecting Hangyul's own decision to begin again.

However, the singer admitted that the genre initially felt unfamiliar, having never attempted Latin pop before. "I wondered whether I would be able to pull it off," he recalled. "I'd never tried this kind of Latin pop before, so it was a new challenge. But that made me want to try it even more."

During the showcase, Hangyul performed the title track alongside a group of dancers, later explaining that they played an important role in bringing the performance to life, describing the choreography as one of the song's greatest strengths.

The music video also faced an unexpected challenge during filming as heavy rain disrupted the shoot, soaking camera equipment and sets. Nevertheless, Hangyul said the final result turned out well and jokingly suggested that the incident might be a sign of good fortune for the release.

While "BUNZI" was positioned as the album's centerpiece, it was the B-side "007" that arguably left the stronger impression during the showcase.

With its restrained production, sleek atmosphere and controlled choreography, "007" offered a performance that appeared particularly well suited to Hangyul's strengths. The combination of its sound, his vocals and the overall stage presentation made it a compelling alternative to the Latin pop-driven title track.

The contrast between the two stages highlighted an interesting aspect of Hangyul's solo debut. While "BUNZI" represents his willingness to explore unfamiliar musical territory, "007" arguably offers a clearer picture of the performer he has spent nine years becoming.

Hangyul himself expressed particular attachment to the track, explaining that he believed longtime fans would immediately recognize how well it suited him. He also revealed that he had paid special attention to bringing out the qualities of his voice during recording adding that he hoped the performance would help audiences understand why he felt especially connected to the song.

Beyond the two showcased tracks, "NOISE" includes "Yeet it x2," a playful song with theatrical elements; "Zero Point," which combines energetic performance with vocals; and "Spit it OUT," a relaxed hip-hop track centered on expressing oneself without hesitation.

Hangyul also addressed the timing of his solo debut, which coincides with new releases from other male artists who previously appeared on K-POP survival programs, including ZEROBASEONE's Sung Hanbin and former Wanna One member Park Woojin.

He described the opportunity to promote alongside them as an honor, while acknowledging that he had previously questioned whether he could stand alongside such artists. However, after preparing for his solo debut, he said he had developed greater confidence in his abilities, particularly his charisma and performance skills.

When asked how he would introduce himself to listeners discovering him for the first time, Hangyul explained; "Before, I was part of a team, so there were parts of myself that I couldn't fully show, but now, I've come out as a solo artist to show everything I have."

Despite the serious reflections on his career, the showcase also featured lighter moments. Hangyul jokingly promised to complete 52 bungee jumps if the song wins first place on a music show mirroring the 52 times the word appears in the track.

Beyond chart results, however, Hangyul emphasized that his main ambition is to establish his identity as an individual performer. "I really want people to remember what kind of singer Lee Hangyul is through this album," he said.

Reflecting on the difficult years that brought him to this point, Hangyul also shared the message he would give his younger self. "I'd tell myself that the time I've lived through wasn't wasted. There were many failures, but I also gained a lot of experience and learned a lot from them."

For an artist whose career has been shaped by repeated new beginnings, "NOISE" represents another opportunity to move forward and reflects both his willingness to experiment and his determination to continue pursuing the stage.

Lee Hangyul's first solo mini-album, "NOISE," is out now on various streaming platforms.