Kang Yuchan. If you’ve been following K-Pop for a few years, that name will certainly sound familiar. We first came to know and love him as the main vocalist with the unmistakable tone and the maknae (youngest member) of A.C.E, the group known for their powerful performances and bold concepts. Everyone remembers their last comeback with Pinata, right?
Beyond his group activities, many will also recall Yuchan’s journey on the survival show The Unit, which led him to debut a second time with the project group UNB. Between group activities, he also honed his acting skills in web dramas like Twenty-Twenty and completed his mandatory military service, officially returning to the music scene in February 2024.
Now, Yuchan is ready for his Chapter 2. He has turned a new page by signing with a new label, WAY BETTER—home to from20 and HELLO GLOOM—and has officially launched his solo career.
The first step on this new path arrived last July with his debut single, Champagne Poppin’. It was a decisive move intended to mark the transition “from idol to artist.” More than the musical foundation (a super danceable dance-pop track), the standout element was the lyrics, which Yuchan personally contributed to.
It is a track that exudes charisma and a celebratory mood. Yuchan delivered bold, almost audacious lyrics, perfectly suited for a solo debut designed to make an impact—further boosted by a super stylish music video (directed by from20) which also features the beautiful international model Park Hee Jung.
This single was just the first taste of the project released today: his first official EP, REBEL.
For this album, which also includes Champagne Poppin’, Yuchan actively participated in writing all the lyrics and composing several tracks, defining a sound that breaks with the past and redefines his artistic identity. The title, REBEL, is not accidental: it is his personal redefinition of what it means to be a “pop star” today.
The title track introducing this new journey is Close To You. While Champagne Poppin’ was pure energy, here Yuchan prioritizes his main asset: his voice. Through a lyrical melody and his heartfelt vocals, he explores feelings of nostalgia and the desire to stay close to someone, despite the distance.
The lyrics, written by Yuchan himself and translated below both in English and Italian, are an intimate dialogue with a distant person, a “star” he can no longer reach. It is full of promises and memories, particularly a “journey for big mountain” where they promised to meet again. Phrases like “I’ll miss you until I see you again” and “I’m always close to you / 마치 24/7” (meaning, ‘Like 24/7’) reinforce this unbreakable bond.
Below is the full text and translation of Close To You.
Vicino a Te
[Verse 1]
Dove sei andata? Oh, mia stella
Anche oggi penso a te
So che non posso più raggiungerti
Eppure, in un futuro lontano, ti rivedrò lì
[Pre-Chorus]
Dove ti ho lasciata andare, lasciata andare?
Ogni notte sto crollando, sto crollando
Vorrei solo tornare indietro per un giorno
Accanto a te
[Chorus]
Voglio starti vicino
Anche se sei lontana
Mi mancherai finché non ti rivedrò
Ti sono sempre vicino
Proprio come 24/7
Mi mancherai finché non ti rivedrò
Ti rivedrò ancora
[Verse 2]
Ricordi la promessa che ho fatto?
Il viaggio per la grande montagna
Incontrami in cima
[Pre-Chorus]
Dove ti ho lasciata andare, lasciata andare?
Ogni notte sto crollando, sto crollando
Vorrei solo tornare indietro per un giorno
Accanto a te
[Chorus]
Voglio starti vicino
Anche se sei lontana
Mi mancherai finché non ti rivedrò
Ti sono sempre vicino
Proprio come 24/7
Mi mancherai finché non ti rivedrò
Ti rivedrò ancora
[Outro]
Ti rivedrò ancora
Mi mancherai finché non ti rivedrò
Ti rivedrò ancora
Ti rivedrò ancora
Mi mancherai finché non ti rivedrò
Ti rivedrò ancora
Close To You
[Verse 1]
Where did you go? Oh, my star
Even today, I think of you
I know I can’t reach you anymore
Still, in the distant future, I’ll see you there again
[Pre-Chorus]
Where did I let you go, let you go?
Every night, I’m falling, I’m falling
I just want to go back for one day
Stuck with you
[Chorus]
I wanna be close to you
Even if you’re far away
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m always close to you
Just like 24/7
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
[Verse 2]
Remember the promise I made?
The journey for big mountain
Meet me at the top
[Pre-Chorus]
Where did I let you go, let you go?
Every night, I’m falling, I’m falling
I just want to go back for one day
Stuck with you
[Chorus]
I wanna be close to you
Even if you’re far away
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m always close to you
Just like 24/7
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
[Outro]
I’m gonna see you again
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
I’m gonna see you again
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
[Verse 1]
Where did you go? Oh, my star
난 오늘도 think of you
I know I can’t reach you anymore
그래도 먼 미래 또, see you there
[Pre-Chorus]
Where did I let you go, let you go?
매일밤 I’m falling, I’m falling
I just want to go back for one day
Stuck with you
[Chorus]
I wanna be close to you
Even if you’re far away
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m always close to you
마치 24/7
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
[Verse 2]
Remember the promise I made?
The journey for big mountain
Meet me at the top
Where did I let you go, let you go?
매일밤 I’m falling, I’m falling
I just want to go back for one day
Stuck with you
[Chorus]
I wanna be close to you
Even if you’re far away
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m always close to you
마치 24/7
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
[Outro]
I’m gonna see you again
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
I’m gonna see you again
I’ll miss you until I see you again
I’m gonna see you again
