The Infinite member discusses Awake, his solo project, and ambitions to mentor the next generation.

INFINITE member Jang Dong-woo is nurturing a newly born dream that shines beneath the surface of his busy life. On the morning of the 17th, in a cafe somewhere in Seoul, he talked about his second mini-album Awake. Awake marks his first solo release in six years and eight months, and it aims to shake the weariness of daily life.

The title track “Sway (Zzz)” captures the tremor of emotions that feels like an alarm, tracing the pull between competing sides as listeners seek honesty. It carries a markedly different charm from his earlier work, switching to a relentless beat and a dreamlike singing rap that reveal a new facet of his artistry. Regarding the track’s direction, he said the song was a deliberate “aggro” focus during the six months of preparation, and there were debates about whether it should be the title track. Regardless of the mixed feedback, he wanted to imprint the image of a versatile performer in the public mind, which fueled his willingness to take on this challenge.

He also explained that he began adding vocals because of four years of ongoing vocal lessons and his experience in musical theater, which together allowed him to blend rap with singing and stage performance. He aims to be a “multi-player” and to expand his activities across fields to connect more deeply with listeners. Another dream he’s pursuing is mentoring a junior artist to carry on his identity and perhaps lead a boy group someday.

He reflected on producing the album largely by himself and learned about the broader A&R process, gaining empathy for producers’ challenges. With this comeback, he feels closer to that ultimate goal and is eager to continue expanding his musical reach. He remains determined to shape the image he envisions and translate those visions into compelling performances.