For Yung Kai, reality still feels like something he has to pinch himself to believe. The China-born, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter, whose bittersweet breakout “Blue” took the internet by storm when it dropped in 2024, is living in what he describes as a dreamscape—a surreal loop of new followers, heartfelt comments, and the slow realization that his bedroom pop has made it to faraway lands.
“Every day just feels like a dream,” Kai says over a Zoom call. “I can wake up, go on Instagram, and see so many new followers, comments, and nice things people have to say. It’s so crazy. I can’t even process it.”
In the months after the song went viral, even becoming meme-worthy, Kai began playing his first live shows. These weren’t in his home city of Vancouver, but at festivals like Wanderland in the Philippines and Pelupo in Thailand in March this year. While many artists cut their teeth in small clubs or low-key open mics, Kai calls it more of a learning experience than just a triumph. “I feel like it wasn’t the best performance I could have done,” he admits. “But it was a good start. I’m taking singing lessons, guitar lessons, and rehearsing with my band. I’m working on it.”
That work ethic is increasingly important now that he’s on the lineup for major events, including Asia-focused label 88Rising’s Head in the Clouds festival in Los Angeles in May. He’s still not sure what to expect from it—but he’s preparing like someone who knows it could be a career-defining moment. A setlist shake-up is on the table. So is a new sense of artistic identity, one that’s stretching far beyond the viral success of “Blue.”
Then, there are more shows in August in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Taiwan, followed by a support slot in the U.S. on alternative artist D4vd’s tour in September. “I’ve literally never been on tour,” he says. “And now I’m going on tour with D4vd. It’s so insane.”
It all started with “Blue” blowing up on TikTok and Instagram. The song was inspired by the C-drama When I Fly Towards You, a show Kai says a lot have probably discovered through the song now. “It’s probably put a lot of people on [to watching].” He says part of his songwriting process is to often ask himself if a tune would fit into a K-drama or a C-drama. “I imagine the song in a scene and ask, ‘Does it work?’ If it does, then nice. I’ll save it for later. If it doesn’t, I just toss it,” he says.
This romantic lens—lyrical, cinematic, and emotionally sincere—has become one of Kai’s signatures. His recent single “Do You Think You Could Love Me?” continues that tradition, with all the softness and longing of a slow-burning drama. Kai is not just a sad-song machine, though.
Lately, he’s been watching the anime Ranking of Kings. “It’s not a romance,” he says with a laugh. “It’s about this little guy who’s supposed to become king, but his dad is huge or something, and he’s tiny. It’s really cute. Maybe I’ll take inspiration from it. Maybe not.”
It’s a fleeting thought, but it reflects something essential about Kai’s creative process: it’s not linear, and it’s never forced. “I’ve tried forcing myself to write a song a day,” he says. “And I got some okay songs out of it. But the best ones? Those come randomly. In the shower. On a walk. When I’m playing Valorant. And then, boom—I lock in. No food, no water, just FL Studio for like eight or 10 hours straight.”
When asked about his listeners, Kai immediately mentions India, where he gets his highest engagement on Instagram. It’s a detail that’s stuck with him, and one that’s informing future plans. An India tour is “under heavy consideration,” though nothing is confirmed just yet.
And now, as he moves beyond his first shows, prepares for festivals, and flirts with a full tour, Yung Kai is trying to stay grounded. He’s designing his first merch (“some cute stuff,” he says, playing up his interest in fashion), continuing to sharpen his guitar and vocal chops, and leaning into the dream-state that still surrounds him.
In the meantime, “Blue” continues on its own trajectory, with a new version out featuring pop artist Minnie from the South Korea-based girl group (G)I-dle. He recalls being a fan for the last six or seven years, and when he got to meet Minnie in South Korea, time just flew by between hanging out in the studio (she had already recorded her parts for the song), shooting videos and photos, and grabbing food together. “I wish it lasted longer,” he says.
Nevertheless, he’s a fan of the outcome—a fresh voice that adds another perspective to an already-beloved hit. Kai adds, “Her verse feels so emotional and so powerful. I feel like it’s so much more powerful than the verse that I wrote. That’s just my opinion, but I love her verse so much.”
Rapid fire – Yung Kai’s all-time favorites:
Favorite K-Drama
Twenty-Five Twenty-One
Favorite Asian artist
Wave To Earth
Favorite Discord server
My server, Yung Kai World
Favorite meme around “Blue”
I have to say, “OIIA.” It’s so funny!
Source:https://rollingstoneindia.com/yung-kai-interview/