[Interview] KINO dives into new EP ‘Misplaced and Discovered’ and the way uncertainty drives his creativity – EARMILK

South Korean artist KINO confront burnout, self-doubt, and the stress between public expectation and personal actuality on his latest EP Misplaced and Discovered, an electro-tinged challenge laden with emotional resonance.Identified globally as a member of PENTAGON, KINO has been constructing a solo id that unveils extra sides for himself, scratching the polish of a Ok-pop artist to disclose the gritty, grounded particular person beneath.

Spanning self-doubt and self-assurance with equal elements vulnerability and power, the challenge is relatable but intimate because it captures the personable, self-directed signature type he has been shaping his since 2025 EP EVERYBODY’S GUILTY, BUT NO ONE’S TO BLAME, which confronted social stress and burnout.

Launched independently via his personal firm NAKED, KINO who can be set to convey his FREE KINO world tour to the U.S. following performances throughout Europe and Asia, KINO continues shaping a heartfelt, genuine artistry constructed on emotional directness and connection.

Chatting with Earmilk, KINO dives into the inspiration behind the EP, on how his solo sound has developed and the way uncertainty drives his creativity.

1) What’s the inspiration/message behind your new EP Misplaced and Discovered?

This EP got here from a really private place the place a mindset shift has been made, attributable to the issues I went via after my earlier 2nd EP. Whereas engaged on my 2nd EP, I began to simply accept that even the damaging feelings I had had been nonetheless part of me. As an alternative of attempting to repair or disguise them, I simply acknowledged them, and in a means, I realized to like these imperfect sides of myself once more. By means of that course of, I felt like I used to be reconnecting with one thing I had misplaced with outrealizing it. Issues like love, freedom, and the power to see the world in a extra stunning and optimistic means.

So Misplaced and Discovered is basically about that journey of self-doubt turning into self-acceptance. It’s about rediscovering what you thought was misplaced, and realizing that it was nonetheless inside you the complete time. If I needed to describe the core message, it’s the idea that it’s okay to dwell as who you are. Not an ideal model of your self, however simply who you’re proper now. And that realization gave gave me a way of freedom and it formed this complete EP.

2) How would you describe your solo sonic id and the way has it developed?

To start with, I believe I used to be nonetheless attempting to outline what my sound ought to be. There was part of me that needed to show one thing, perhaps to indicate that I may do every little thing effectively. However over time, I spotted my id isn’t actually a few particular style or type. It’s extra about how sincere I will be inside music. Even when the style modifications, if the emotion in that feels actual to me, then it nonetheless appears like my music. So I believe the most important change is that I’m much less centered about being “proper” and extra centered on being “truthful.” And that really made my music really feel extra constant, even when the sounds are completely different. For this album, it was uplifting digital pop music.

3) What’s your private favorite monitor from the EP and why?

I believe my favourite monitor from this EP is ‘ALL LOVE!’. It feels the closest to who I actually am at my core. There’s one thing quite simple and sincere about it that I didn’t attempt to overthink or management an excessive amount of. And personally, it’s a kind of songs that genuinely makes me really feel blissful once I take heed to it. Not in a giant or dramatic means, however in a really pure, delicate means. It’s fascinating as a result of the extra I take heed to it, the extra I find yourself liking it. I believe that’s why it turned my favourite. It feels like a tune that represents me.

 4) In your solo work, you talk about pursuing an id that’s genuine to you fairly than formed by pressures and expectations. This can be a relatable expertise even outdoors music, are you able to consider any moments or messages the place followers have expressed the feeling they will relate to this pursuit of authenticity?

Generally they are saying issues like, “I didn’t understand I felt this fashion till I heard your tune.” That actually stayed with me. As a result of it made me understand that being sincere doesn’t simply create connection, it will possibly additionally assist folks acknowledge one thing inside themselves. I believe that’s one thing I’m nonetheless studying too. We don’t at all times perceive our feelings straight away. Generally we want one thing exterior to mirror us again.

5) What’s been essentially the most surreal second in your solo profession to this point?

I believe essentially the most surreal moments are literally not grand and fancy however extra very “quiet” ones. Like once I’m on stage, and there’s a second the place every little thing feels nonetheless, even when only for a second. I can see folks within the viewers, however on the identical time it feels a bit unreal, like I’m watching it from outdoors of myself. These moments don’t final lengthy, however it’s particular. And I believe they remind me why I began doing this within the first place.

6) What’s in your bucket listing by way of one thing you’d like to realize or expertise in your musical journey going ahead?

I used to have very particular targets, like sure levels or achievements. However lately, I believe my thought of a “purpose” has modified a bit. I nonetheless have issues I need to expertise, however greater than that, I need to have the ability to proceed making music in a means that feels sincere to me. If I needed to say one factor, I’d wish to create a second the place folks don’t simply take heed to the music, however expertise it like they’re a part of it. Not as an viewers, however as somebody sharing the identical area and emotion.

7) Lastly, what’s one query nobody has requested you in an interview you want you had been requested?

I believe I’d like somebody to ask, “What are you continue to not sure about?”. As a result of I really feel like interviews typically concentrate on readability, like we’re alleged to have every little thing found out. However actually, I believe I’m nonetheless not sure about plenty of issues. And I don’t suppose that’s a foul factor. I believe that uncertainty is really what retains me transferring and creating.

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