I-LAND Fan-Favorite kyu Unleashes His Hypnotic Solo Debut Track "tempo"

Apr 2

Coinciding with his 19th birthday—South Korean-American soloist kyu, formerly known as Daniel Kim, unveiled his debut single “tempo” under NAISU Agency. The track, a sleek fusion of R&B and pop, introduces a mature, confident sound from an artist who first captured attention as a contestant on Mnet’s I-LAND survival series in 2020.

At just 14 during the survival show, kyu (then Daniel) wasted no time in showcasing raw potential, narrowly missing a spot in ENHYPEN. Now, five years later, “tempo” signals his necessary transformation into a solo force, blending confident, passion-fueled lyrics with a hypnotic groove.

“tempo” dropped with a cinematic music video, amplifying its moody, late-night vibe through a series of edgy, dark visuals. The song’s opening lines—“Fall right in / Right into my tempo / Can you fall right in / ‘Cause I don’t wanna let go”—set the tone for a narrative about love’s intoxicating pull. Kyu’s smooth vocals glide over a dynamic beat, co-produced with finesse, that shifts intensity like a heartbeat.

Lyrically, he explores vulnerability and desire, confessing, “I’m intoxicated / Can’t keep up with these complicated games of love,” while the chorus pulses with a tidal rhythm: “Girl, I’m moving to your tempo / We connecting all the lines.” It’s a bold debut that echoes other industry titans like DEAN and Gemini, yet still puts on the extra effort to create something unique to kyu’s developing sound.

And from what we’re seeing with this bold new track—he’s just getting started.