Khalid and Ahn Hyo-Seop's "Something Special"

FANDOM

Ahn Hyo-seop has had quite an eventful year.

Aside from his many leading acting roles in popular Korean dramas and his fashion ambassadorship campaigns, Ahn stepped out further into the global spotlight, starring in the Academy Award-winning Netflix animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, attended the Oscars, attended the Met Gala (the first Korean male actor in over a decade), and now, has made his official debut as a solo artist with a collaborated track, “Something Special,” with multi-platinum recording artist Khalid.

“I’m feeling pretty great,” the 31-year-old Korean Canadian actor says, humbly, over Zoom from his home in Seoul. “To be honest, this year hasn’t been the busiest year of my life. I have some time to sleep, but a few big events have come up, so it looks like I’m busy. I’m just really grateful. I’m just happy to be able to do what I do right now.”

Ahn and his team were approached by FANDOM, an innovative music platform developed by Musicow in partnership with Roc Nation, to join the music project. He wasn’t given any details about it – just the platform's purpose and a demo of the song, which instantly sent chills down his spine. He recalls that moment so vividly, “I was actually driving when I was listening to it. It was really sunny outside. I was looking at the Han River, and just everything just felt so perfect.”

He immediately called his company back, saying he would accept the project “no matter what.” He didn’t know who he would be collaborating with or who the producers would be. When he found out the song would be produced by industry giants, Woo “RAINSTONE” Rhee and Troy “R8DIO” Johnson, he became even more excited and happy to work with “very talented people to make a very creative song.”

The biggest shock for him came when his company told him he would be singing with Khalid. Ahn was in disbelief over the reveal, having been a fan of the American artist for a long time. He told his company, “Unless I have a call with Khalid, I’m not going to believe the whole thing is real.”

After he began recording the track, he was finally given the chance to chat with Khalid through FaceTime. Ahn notes that Khalid is a celebrity to him – modestly forgetting that he, too, is an international star. He found their interaction very enjoyable, reminiscing on the singer’s kindness as the two bonded over their love of music, especially R&B and Soul.

“I was just really happy that I was able to work with Khalid,” he smiles. “He was just very nice in person. I was very psyched to meet him in person.”

He expresses how grateful and honored he was to be part of the project, as it meant a great deal to him– personally and professionally. Since he was a child, he has always had a passion for music. He wanted to be an artist. So much so that he left Canada at 17 to pursue music in Korea, where he became a trainee at JYP Entertainment. After three strenuous years, he decided to change the direction of his life because he didn’t want his love for music to become stressful or work. He shifted his energy into acting, keeping music as a hobby.

“It’s been buried in my mind for quite a long time,” he says, solemnly.

He has practiced singing, making music with his friends, going to karaoke, and is constantly listening to music. When he was offered the role in KPop Demon Hunters, it was for his acting ability, with a minor moment to showcase his vocal talent. He admits that he would have loved to have sung more in the film, but the film wasn’t the catalyst for him to become a singer. He shares, “It was an added effect, but it’s not the reason why I want to do music. It’s been my passion my whole life.”

Throughout the conversation, Ahn brings up his love of music, even pulling up his Spotify playlist to share some of his favorite artists. He confesses he sometimes imagines himself on stage performing music. He uses the Korean word “han (한 / 恨)” to best describe being unable to pursue music – a feeling or concept rooted in oppression, resentment, heavy heartache, and yearning.

For many years, he would ruminate on whether or not he should make his own album with his friends. During some of his fan meetings, he would serenade his fans with other people’s music and often thought about creating his own to perform for them. But he would hesitate, thinking about the conflict between where he stood as an actor and as a singer.

Then he was offered the FANDOM project, “Something Special.”

The whole situation just felt natural to him, and he felt honored and flattered to be approached about it. He decided to just go for it and start his music career at this point in his life. All the cards lined up: He loved the song. The lyrics are beautiful. The collaborators are remarkable.

“There was really no reason not to do it,” he points out. “But more than anything, I just wanted this song to be like a gift for my fans or just for the world. I felt like this song could connect with people emotionally, no matter where they're from.”

He makes it clear that acting remains his main priority, having done it for over a decade. But when the right opportunity presents itself, he simply couldn’t miss it. Although he does feel a bit nervous about the release.

“I’ve been an actor for a long time,” he says. “For [the fans] to see me singing, I’m [a bit] concerned [about] what they would think. But you know, it is my life. I’m enjoying this music. I just hope that it emotionally connects with all the listeners.”

He does want to create more music and is interested in band music. His love of music extends beyond vocals, as he’s skilled on several instruments, including the piano, violin, guitar, and the traditional Korean instrument, the Gayageum. He explains, “You can never replace real instrument sounds and the harmony between all those instruments. I’m a very big fan of band music – mostly British bands. It just feels the most me. If I wanted to send a message through music, band music would be the right way to do it.”

There are too many artists that he would love to work with next, chuckling to himself that if he could throw names out, it would be a big list. He begins listing artists off the top of his head: Coldplay. Keane. Giveon. To save time, he excitedly pulls up his playlist and scrolls through it, giving off more names – Damien Rice, Stevie Wonder, Justin Bieber, Radiohead, and more.

“It’s over a thousand people,” he laughs.

Ahn adds Sombr to the list, mentioning their interaction at the Met Gala. The American indie-rock singer walked up to Ahn and began talking casually to him as if they had known each other for years. They ended up being at the same table and became friends. Ahn became a fan, “I listened to his music – and it was really amazing. So Sombr is definitely on the list.”

Ahn hinted that he’s been preparing music with his friends, teasing that it “could be a single or could be an album.” But what he could say was that it’s a fun project, and that he’s not starting a music career for the money. He’s doing it for the love of it and to get the message he’s been wanting to put out there to the world.

“It’s going to be about the experiences that I had in my life that I wanted to share,” he reveals. “But nothing’s really decided yet. I’m just grateful to be part of this project with Khalid and this amazing team. I am excited to listen to [my song] on my own Spotify.”

Ahn Hyo-seop and Khalid’s “Something Special” is available via FANDOM on all streaming platforms.