From his days with K-pop group A.C.E to his journey as a solo artist, Kang Yuchan continues to discover himself, embrace new experiences and push the boundaries of his music.
Following the 2026 WAY BETTER WORLD TOUR, Yuchan opened up about the bond he shares with his fans, the changes that have come with his solo career, his passion for performing on stage and the new fields he hopes to explore in the future.
Sweety High caught up with Yuchan to take a closer look at his thoughts, dreams and the experiences that have shaped him into the artist he is today. Read our full interview with him below.
(Image courtesy of Yuchan)
Sweety High: Throughout your 2026 WAY BETTER WORLD TOUR, you met many fans and performed at various festivals. What was it like being surrounded by your fans and sharing those moments with them?
Yuchan: I traveled to many places around the world and happily wrapped up my tour. Thankfully, many people came out to see me, and I had a wonderful time at festivals and other events.
Whenever I see my fans and the audience enjoying themselves, it makes me want to perform on more stages, show different sides of myself, and prepare new projects that I can share with an even wider audience.
SH: You have a large community of fans who’ve supported you since your A.C.E days, and even more people have fallen in love with your music as a soloist. What was your biggest worry about beginning your solo journey?
Yuchan: I’m truly grateful to my fans for always showing me so much love and support.
Both the fans who have loved me as CHOICE since my A.C.E days and those who have come to know and love me as solo artist Kang Yuchan are incredibly precious to me. Every single one of them means a lot to me. I think pursuing a solo career might have been difficult in itself if it weren’t for my fans.
When I first started my solo career, I was very afraid of having to do everything on my own. However, everyone at WAYBETTER helped me so much and gave me the support I needed to move forward successfully on my own. Thanks to them, I can now enjoy my solo activities with a much more positive and relaxed mindset.
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SH: Is there a new side of yourself you hope fans discover through your solo work?
Yuchan: I think the sides of myself I show from now on will encompass a variety of genres and fields. Just as I hope the people who have followed me for a long time will continue to accept me as I am, I would be truly grateful if they also embraced the different sides of me that I’ll show in the future.
SH: What’s the most important thing you learned from your A.C.E members that you carried into your solo career?
Yuchan: I think the thing I remember most is the importance of live singing. People may call us artists or idols, but at the end of the day, we’re singers. We all agreed that neglecting live vocals simply wasn’t acceptable.
That’s why there are still so many things I pay attention to, such as practicing for live performances, taking care of my voice, and maintaining my vocal health.
(Image courtesy of Yuchan)
SH: How would you describe the difference between Yuchan in A.C.E and solo artist Kang Yuchan?
Yuchan: Rather than calling it a difference, I think it might be more accurate to describe it as a turning point.
Instead of being under someone else’s influence, I’ve become able to think more independently and make choices that reflect who I am. That’s the change I’ve noticed in myself.
Because of that, I’m continuing to learn and gain more experience, while working to become a more complete version of myself as Kang Yuchan.
SH: Is there a quirky habit your fans might not know about?
Yuchan: A habit or quirky thing that my fans might not know about yet…?
Oh, this is a habit I’ve picked up recently, so they probably really don’t know about it! I’ve started dancing in really tiny movements whenever I listen to music.
It doesn’t matter where I am; I find myself dancing. Whether I’m on the subway, on a bus, or even just walking, I’ve developed this habit of dancing with little movements.
I think it started because I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about how to express the textures of the different sounds I hear while listening to music.
(Image courtesy of Yuchan)
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SH: We met at an event years ago and you were so kind. When you’re feeling down, how do you find your strength and motivation again?
Yuchan: First of all, thank you for remembering me so fondly.
When I realize that I’m feeling down, I think I try to get out of that mood as quickly as possible!
Since I see feeling down as something negative, I try to do positive things for myself.
For example, I spend time with people I love, watch my favorite movies or dramas, or go for a walk and enjoy beautiful scenery to help improve my mood.
And before I know it, I find myself smiling again.
SH: Is there a genre or concept you’d love to try someday?
Yuchan: I don’t have a specific genre or concept in mind just yet.
The reason I say that is because, even now, I want to be an artist who isn’t limited by any particular genre.
If there are no boundaries when it comes to genres, then the number of concepts I can explore will naturally continue to grow, right?
SH: Is there a role outside music you’d like to explore, like acting, musicals or fashion?
Yuchan: For now, I want to try a variety of things that are within my reach.
I’ve had opportunities to show different sides of myself through dramas and musicals in the past, so I’d like to take part in even more diverse and colorful projects.
And lately, I’ve also been thinking that I’d like to try boxing if I get the opportunity.
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SH: If you hadn’t become an idol, what do you think you’d be doing today?
Yuchan: I think I probably would have become a dancer who teaches children how to dance.
I started learning to dance in high school and gradually developed my dream of becoming a dancer, so I think I would have pursued a career related to dance.
Or perhaps I might have taken over my family’s tangerine farm in Jeju!
(Image courtesy of Yuchan)
SH: What can fans look forward to from you next?
Yuchan: It could be a new album or an unexpected activity. But there’s one thing I’d like to say: Through my future activities, I want to find more ways to get closer to my fans and meet them more often than I have before.
I’ll keep working toward that, so please continue to look forward to what’s coming!
SH: Is there anything you’d like to say to Sweety High readers?
Yuchan: Dear Sweety High readers, I’m truly happy that I’ve had this wonderful opportunity to greet you and share my story with you.
You’ve given me a happy moment, and in return, I’ll give you happy moments through my music and my stories. Please continue to look forward to what I have in store for you.
This was Kang Yuchan. Thank you!
For more from the world of K-pop, check out Jooyoung Is Making Space for a New Chapter With 90s Kids.
