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The Korea Times

By Dong Sun-hwa
K-pop star Daniel Kang made his solo debut late last week, but he wasn’t entirely happy.
The singer, who on July 25 released his first solo EP, “Colour on Me” – which has gone on to top iTunes charts around the world – breathed a deep sigh during a showcase event for the album in Seoul as he talked about the ongoing legal dispute with his former agency, LM Entertainment.
The singer, a former member of South Korean boy band Wanna One, filed a complaint against LM in March, arguing it had handed over rights to an exclusive contract to a third party without his approval.

In May, the Seoul Central District Court ruled in Kang’s favour, allowing the contract to be suspended.
Kang then established his own Konnect Entertainment company and started forging his solo career on his own, but his legal fight with LM to have the contract continues.
“I hope I can deliver good news about the contract in the near future,” Kang said. “I am sorry but I cannot give a clear answer as of now. I cannot confirm my future schedules as well, because it is all still being negotiated.”
Talk about the contract ended when the event’s host, TV personality Kim Il-joong, stepped in and requested that reporters stop asking about the issue, saying the event was being held to promote Kang’s solo project.
Even before it was released, the EP received more than 450,000 pre-orders, reflecting the popularity of the singer who won season two of Mnet’s idol audition show Produce 101 in 2017.


The EP’s lead single, What Are You Up To, was written by South Korean songwriter Kei Lim, who also co-wrote K-pop sensation BTS’ flagship song Fire.
With its dreamy synthesiser and danceable beats, What Are You Up To defied expectations that Kang would release a powerful rap-based number, something he was known for as a member of Wanna One.
Fans believe Twice member Mina was bullied out of world tour
Kang said he wanted to explore a new style on the track. “I paid a lot of attention to the vocals,” he said. “I ventured into a new style with the help of the composers.”
Kang’s solo debut was initially scheduled to be released in April, but was reportedly postponed following the legal dispute.
As a member of Wanna One, Kang enjoyed a string of hits – including the 2017 chart topper Energetic – until the outfit disbanded in December 2018.
Exo fans demand gigs near nuclear disaster site be cancelled
Meanwhile, Kang’s first solo fan meeting tour will be calling at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo on August 18. VIP ticket holders will be able to attend a meet-and-greet session with the singer.
Read the full story at the Korea Times


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Kang’s first solo EP, ‘Colour on Me’, was released last week and has gone on to top iTunes charts around the world
But an ongoing legal dispute with his former agency, LM Entertainment, means the future is unclear for the ex-Wanna One member



Kang’s first solo EP, ‘Colour on Me’, was released last week and has topped iTunes charts around the world. But an ongoing legal dispute with his former agency means the future is unclear for the ex-Wanna One member.
