Yu Kong
KUN, who was appointed as Versace's global brand ambassador in May, is taking the partnership to the next level with a collaborative single with the Italian luxury brand that highlights the Chinese pop star's inspiration from the intersection of music and fashion.
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“Afterglow” is set to debut in the upcoming campaign for Versace Mercury sneakers, with the full track released worldwide this coming Sunday, June 9. Similar to his previous hits on Billboard's China TME UNI charts, such as 2022's “Hug Me” and last year's “TITLE,” KUN immersed himself in the creative process for “Afterglow,” fusing dark synthesizers and rock-inspired vocals, drawing on inspirations such as patterns and cuts.
A singer and actor since he was a teenager, KUN has grown over the past decade from a boy band member who broke out on a reality TV show to a full-fledged solo superstar with several albums, international tours, and big-brand endorsement deals under his belt. Now, the C-pop star is collaborating with US writers and producers on a globally focused music project. His upcoming single “Afterglow” represents what he calls “a whole new KUN sound.”
Read on to learn more about KUN's “Afterglow” and its significance heading into 2024 and 2025, which will bring even more music, live performances, tours, and other fun for fans around the world.
Congratulations on the release of “Afterglow” alongside your work as a global ambassador with Versace. Can you tell us more about the song and how you got started on creating it?
“Afterglow” is my new single, created in collaboration with Versace. I approached this song using what I learned in fashion culture. This song truly reflects my journey as a musician and performing artist. Over the last two years, I've been exploring and experimenting with different genres, fusing elements of old school and new school, and incorporating my tastes into modern music. “Afterglow” was born from all of this process.
You are known for being involved in songwriting. How were you involved in the creation of “Afterglow”?
I was inspired by the way designers curate clothing patterns, the details of the sophisticated cuts, and the attention to quality, and I reflected that in the song. I wanted the synth design to be unique, edgy and dark, but the vocals kept the rock elements. When writing the song, I imagined a fashion runway scene with flashing strobe lights to give it a more mysterious atmosphere. The runway is the perfect setting for this sound.
What does “Afterglow” mean for your music career?
“Afterglow” introduces a whole new KUN sound, a new musical chapter begins, with more songs to be released in both Chinese and English.
Is there a music video for “Afterglow”?
Many fans may remember our previous Art Lab Live concerts, and here's some exclusive news for our friends at Billboard: Art Lab 2.0 is coming soon, and it will include a live performance of “Afterglow.”
How does fashion influence your day-to-day life?
Fashion always inspires me in the creative process of songwriting. I love vintage clothes, just as I love listening to classical music. When I write rock songs, I also like cowboy hats and rough jeans. Fashion design is a tedious process with constant tweaking until the final product is complete. The process is exciting and intriguing. There are no creative boundaries. There are endless possibilities, exactly like when making music.
I read that your Versace story went viral in China, garnering 400 million views on Weibo in less than a week and being the number one search topic for hours. Did you expect such an emotive response?
I was attending a singing camp at the time. [time]It was around 3am so I was in bed when the team woke me up and gave me the good news. I appreciate all the fans do for me and we will always support each other.
In 2019, you visited the US, Canada, and the UK during your KUN ONE tour. Do you have any plans to perform overseas in the future?
We have a lot of surprises planned for this year, with more news to come. I've been working non-stop in the studio on my next new project, and I'm also planning to create a new musical show with talented writers and producers from around the world that will bring sounds to life on a live stage.
What else can we expect in 2024?
2024 is the first step towards starting a label and company that represents the art I love. This year I aim to produce and release some global music projects from my label, and I'm also thinking about a world tour, so I'm pushing myself to meet these deadlines. I've never released an official global album, but I'm working hard to make it happen. However, since music is my main focus, if I feel like I'm not ready, I might wait until early 2025. I'm enjoying the process.
Do you have any other goals this year?
Goal: Meet the deadline. [Laughs] And if I can meet those deadlines, then my next goal will be a real goal: for people who listen to the music and experience it live to feel the same way I did when I made it. If they tell me they felt something, then I will have achieved my 2024 goal.
Is there anything else you would like to say to our readers and international fans at this time?
I would love to work with artists from all over the world. Collaborating with artists from different cultures is what I love about art, music and fashion. International listeners, please send me a message if you have any ideas. Also, please send me a message about the city where you would like to experience my new project.
Yu Kong
Yu Kong
Yu Kong
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