Kang Daniel Puts on a Show After Hours in “2U”
Following his hiatus after debut, Kang Daniel has returned with his first mini-album titled Cyan. This is Daniel’s first comeback since his debut as a solo artist. The album’s title track “2U” sends a message to those who need someone to tell them they are doing well while pursuing their dreams.
One word to describe this song is “refreshing.” Written and composed by well-known Korean hip-hop artist Chancellor, it is easy to come in with expectations of the sound. However, from the teasers, it was clear that this was a new direction. The song is mainly focused on vocals, which gives the listener the chance to hear how Daniel has grown as a vocalist. The melody comes mostly from Daniel’s own voice in the verses, while the chorus has the faint sound of wind instruments adding to the track’s light and bouncy feel. The percussion in the song is a mix of snapping and various types of shakers that add to the groovy feel. The lyrics are a mix of English and Korean, making it fun for anyone to listen. Something unique about the song is that the lyrics have a cute bit of wordplay in the chorus: the word 이유 (eeyou), which means “reason” in Korean, and the title of the song, “2U.” One of the ways to say “two” in Korean is 이 (ee), so the title could also be “reason.”
The Music Video
The music video takes place in the old-school Los Angeles Theatre. The first few moments of the video shows Daniel acting as the janitor. He gets hassled by the manager for not working and standing around. However, as the manager leaves the theatre, Daniel’s night begins. He sneaks his friends into the theatre to dance and the real fun starts when they try to avoid the grumpy security guard. The group takes over every inch of the theatre; watching private movies, dancing down the aisles, and even playing hide-and-seek in the bathrooms. Daniel looks like he is having the time of his life.
The music video colors are full of muted reds and browns with hints of gold throughout the classic theatre. While Daniel takes center stage, it is important to point out the diversity of his dancers and extras. It’s refreshing to see this diverse mix of performers in even the smallest of companies. Their outfits look like everyday clothing a twenty-something-year-old might wear on a Saturday night. Everyone looks like they are having fun, which makes this video fun to watch. “2U” ends with Daniel looking right into the camera, then it fades to black before jumping back to the beginning scene where Daniel is back at it with the mop while the security guard makes a point to gesture that he will be watching him closely this time.
Overall, this is a refreshing music video and brings the much-needed sounds of spring. Kang Daniel’s releases just keep getting better and better.
Check out “2U” down below!