Jang Dong-woo, the dynamic rapper and performer from second-generation K-pop boy band INFINITE, is making a powerful comeback with his self-financed solo album "AWAKE" after a six-year and eight-month hiatus. The 34-year-old artist has transformed his daily routine around the project, waking up at 7 a.m. every morning to upload alarm-themed promotional content and monitor fan reactions to his bold new six-song mini-album.
Known as INFINITE's most energetic member and resident live wire, Jang sat down for an interview at a Seoul cafe in Yongsan District, where he revealed the personal and financial risks he took to bring this project to life. "This album is made out of my own money and thus falls entirely under my responsibility," he explained with a mix of humor and determination. "I finally understand why entertainment CEOs get so stressed."
The lengthy gap between solo projects wasn't entirely by choice. Jang described the years following INFINITE's mandatory military enlistment as "a natural delay," which was further extended by the pandemic and multiple agency transitions. After parting ways with his last company, he made the decisive choice to go independent. "A big nest matters, but in the end, I realized carving my own path mattered more to me," he said. "After spending more than 15 years in the industry, I finally came to think there was nothing I couldn't handle on my own."
Taking full creative and financial control meant self-financing everything from production to music videos. Jang met with 16 different composing teams, personally pushed for his dark visual concept, and refused to compromise on quality. "I didn't want anything ordinary," he emphasized. "I'm drawn to darker concepts, almost Joker-like, so I went through extensive meetings with the team to bring that vision to life."
The album's centerpiece is "SWAY (Zzz)," an innovative track built around iPhone alarm sounds that's designed to jolt listeners out of their comfort zones. "Some people said they wanted to turn it off immediately," Jang admitted with a grin. "The alarm sound bothered them. But that's exactly the response I wanted. I wanted something people couldn't ignore. Good or bad, it should leave an impression." The concept perfectly matches his goal of waking people up from "emotional autopilot."
Another standout track is "Life," which Jang wrote himself and considers the album's emotional core. Drawing from deeply personal experiences including military service and dealing with a herniated disc, the song reflects his philosophy about resilience and growth. "I think being born is already a kind of success," the artist reflected. "Your failures eventually become your stories. That's the message of the song, and also why I chose not to make it overly sentimental or heavy."
Despite the personal investment and risks involved, Jang isn't hiding his ambitions for the project's success. "Of course I want this album to do well," he stated confidently. "INFINITE's success came from music, concept and luck all aligning. I hope that luck comes back again. But even if it doesn't, 'AWAKE' in itself is proof that I can sustain creativity, and that my next big step is within reach."
Looking beyond his current solo work, Jang has set his sights on an even bigger goal: developing and training the next generation of K-pop artists. He envisions forming a boy band built on strong performance skills, discipline, and emotional awareness. "I have instincts for performance and for choosing music that fits an artist," he explained. "I want to bring out strengths in other people. Five years from now, that's where I want to be."
Jang's future plans are equally ambitious, including dreams of collaborating with major global artists like Travis Scott and Offset, as well as working on a third solo album featuring a title track he'll compose himself. Despite taking out a loan to complete "AWAKE," his determination remains unshaken. "I'm doing this with the mindset of a rookie artist," he concluded. "I want people to see that I can do everything, that I'm a 'multi-player' and that I'm ready for more."
