The Story (Kang Daniel album)

The Story
The Story
	Digital cover
Studio album by Kang Daniel
Released	May 24, 2022 (The Story); November 24, 2022 (Retold)
Recorded	2021–2022
Genre	K-pop
Length	31:27 (The Story); 48:43 (Retold)
Language	Korean
Label	Konnect; Sony Music Korea;
Kang Daniel chronology
Singles from The Story
	"Upside Down"; Released: May 24, 2022; "Nirvana"; Released: November 24, 2022;
Music video
	"Parade" on YouTube; "How We Live" on YouTube; "Don't Tell" on YouTube; "Nirvana" on YouTube

The Story is the debut studio album by South Korean singer and songwriter Kang Daniel. It was released on May 24, 2022, by Konnect Entertainment and distributed by Sony Music Korea. The Story contains ten tracks with "Upside Down" as its lead single. A repackage of the album, titled The Story: Retold, was released on November 24, 2022.

Background and composition

On May 2, 2022, Konnect Entertainment posted a surprise comeback trailer video for what would be Kang Daniel's first full-length album The Story, set for release on May 24.^[1] Two days later, pre-orders for three different versions (Arch-Plot, Anti-Plot, and Non-Plot) of the album began.^[2]^[3] Serving as the storyteller, Kang is credited as the main lyricist of all of the album's songs.^[4]^[5] Having previously revealed the purpose behind his color series as wanting to share "the different stages of self-discovery as an artist with [his] fans", Kang noted that he now feels "[his] own color has been established" through all that he has released thus far.^[6]^[7] Yellow was based on Kang's personal experiences and revolved around inner sanctity, which forced confrontation. Subsequently, The Story acts as "the balm to soothe yourself in the aftermath of laying yourself bare".^[8]

Promotion

A press conference was held on May 24 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas for the release of Kang's first full-length album.^[9] To further commemorate the album's release, he held an album countdown V Live show on the same day as well as both offline and virtual fan-sign events.^[10]^[11] He also made an appearance on the May 27 episode of the third season of Sixth Sense with Noh Sa-yeon and the May 29 episode of MBC's Blockbuster.^[12]^[13] Following a week of promotions, Konnect announced that Kang would be taking a break after being diagnosed with spinal disc herniation.^[14]^[15]

Commercial performance

The Story surpassed 316,630 physical album sales within a week.^[16] Lead single "Upside Down" peaked at number two on the Gaon Digital Chart for the chart issue dated May 22 to 28 in 2022.^[17]

Live performances

Kang performed "Parade", the fourth track of the album, on the June 16 episode of The Kelly Clarkson Show as the first K-pop male solo artist to appear on the variety talk show.^[18] This marked his US television debut with host Kelly Clarkson introducing him as "one of the most successful K-pop solo acts to date".^[19]

Track listing

*The Story* track listing^[20]
No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"The Story"	Kang Daniel Chancellor Knave	Anthony Russo Anthony Pavel Jackson Morgan Jonathan Hoskins MZMC	Hoskins MZMC	3:23
2.	"Upside Down"	Kang Chancellor Knave	MZMC	KillaGraham Sean Kennedy MZMC	3:16
3.	"Loser" (featuring Dbo)	Kang Chancellor B.E.D Dbo	Brian Lee Chancellor	Tushar Apte Lee	3:10
4.	"Parade"	Kang Chancellor Knave	Wyatt Sanders Ben Samama MZMC	KillaGraham MZMC	3:03
5.	"Don't Tell" (featuring Jessi)	Kang Jessi Han Song-yi Roze Ahn Yeon-joo	Russo Pavel Morgan Kyle Buckley Charles Robert Nelsen MZMC	Pinkslip Inverness MZMC	3:04
6.	"Ride 4 U"	Kang Jo Ye-ah Young	MZMC	KillaGraham Kennedy MZMC	2:27
7.	"How We Live" (featuring Sokodomo)	Kang Sokodomo Chancellor Knave	Morgan Landon Sears Barry Cohen MZMC	Gingerbread Morgan MZMC	3:13
8.	"Mad" (featuring Chancellor)	Kang Chancellor Knave	Russo Pavel Kaelyn Behr MZMC	Styalz Fuego	3:20
9.	"1000x"	Kang Choi Ri	Russo Pavel Behr MZMC	Fuego	3:10
10.	"Moment"	Kang Chancellor Knave Purple	Chancellor Purple Knave Jang Seong-il	Purple	3:21
Total length:					31:27

*The Story: Retold* track listing^[21]
No.	Title	Lyrics	Music	Arrangement	Length
1.	"Parade"	Kang Chancellor Knave	Sanders Samama MZMC	KillaGraham MZMC	3:03
2.	"Selfish"	Chancellor	Morgan Alex Sacco Tony Ferrari Kiara Elias MZMC	Sacco MZMC	2:50
3.	"Upside Down"	Kang Chancellor Knave	MZMC	KillaGraham Kennedy MZMC	3:16
4.	"Loser" (featuring Dbo)	Kang Chancellor B.E.D Dbo	Lee Chancellor	Apte Lee	3:10
5.	"Don't Tell" (featuring Jessi)	Kang Jessi Han Roze Ahn	Russo Pavel Morgan Buckley Nelsen MZMC	Pinkslip Inverness MZMC	3:04
6.	"Nirvana" (featuring pH-1 and WDBZ)	Kang pH-1 Han Kim Ban-ji Young Choi Ri Ahn Lee Ji-won HML Heej 122	Russo Pavel Morgan Behr Rudy Sandapa MZMC	Fuego Sandapa	3:39
7.	"Ride 4 U"	Kang Jo Young	MZMC	KillaGraham Kennedy MZMC	2:27
8.	"How We Live" (featuring Sokodomo)	Kang Sokodomo Chancellor Knave	Morgan Sears Cohen MZMC	Gingerbread Morgan MZMC	3:13
9.	"Mad" (featuring Chancellor)	Kang Chancellor Knave	Russo Pavel Fuego Behr MZMC	Fuego	3:20
10.	"1000x"	Kang Choi	Russo Pavel Behr MZMC	Fuego	3:10
11.	"Ghost"	Kang Roze Young Ahn HML Heej 122	Russo Pavel Behr MZMC	Russo Fuego	3:29
12.	"Moment"	Kang Chancellor Knave Purple	Chancellor Purple Knave Jang	Purple	3:21
13.	"The Story"	Kang Chancellor Knave	Russo Pavel Morgan Hoskins MZMC	Hoskins MZMC	3:23
14.	"Ride 4 U (Remix)"	Kang Jo Young Chancellor	MZMC	KillaGraham Kennedy MZMC	3:39
15.	"Nirvana (Solo Ver.)"	Kang pH-1 Han Kim Young Choi Ahn Lee HML Heej 122	Russo Pavel Morgan Behr Sandapa MZMC	Fuego Sandapa	3:39
Total length:					48:43

Charts

Weekly charts

Weekly chart performance for *The Story*
Chart (2022)	Peak position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)^[22]	3

Monthly charts

Monthly chart performance for *The Story*
Chart (2022)	Peak position
South Korean Albums (Gaon)^[23]	9

The Story: Retold

A repackage of the album, titled The Story: Retold, was released on November 24, 2022. The reissue includes five new tracks along with the original 10-song track list that is rearranged in a way that "adds completeness to the plot".^[24]

Release history

Release date and formats for *The Story* and *The Story: Retold*
Edition	Region	Date	Format	Label
The Story	Various	May 24, 2022	Digital download streaming	Konnect Sony Music Korea
The Story	South Korea	May 24, 2022	CD	Konnect Sony Music Korea
The Story: Retold	Various	November 24, 2022	Digital download streaming	Konnect Sony Music Korea
The Story: Retold	South Korea	November 24, 2022	CD	Konnect Sony Music Korea

References

^ "Kang Daniel to return with 'The Story' this May". Bandwagon Asia (in Korean). May 2, 2022. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.
^ "강다니엘이 온다" [Kang Daniel is coming]. Sports Khan (in Korean). May 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Naver.
^ 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (May 4, 2022). "[📢]강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM [The Story] Pre-Order Notice 💿 예약 판매 : 2022.05.04 (수) 2PM ~ 공식 팬카페 애플리케이션 - Notice에서 확인해주세요. #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Twitter.
^ "'컴백' 강다니엘, 솔로 3년의 음악 서사…독보적 존재감 예고" ['Comeback' Kang Daniel, a 3 year solo musical narrative... prediction of unique presence]. Newsen (in Korean). May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "강다니엘, 첫 정규앨범 10곡 전곡 작사 참여" [Kang Daniel participated in writing lyrics for all 10 songs in his first full-length album]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). May 13, 2022. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "The K-pop megastar talks about his latest release Magenta!". Life Without Andy. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
^ "'컴백' 강다니엘, "나에 대한 믿음 많이 생겨"…13개월 동안 앨범에 공들였다" ['Comeback' Kang Daniel says "I have gained a lot of faith in myself"... worked on the album for 13 months]. Xports News (in Korean). May 15, 2022. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "Cover Story: Kang Daniel is The Artist You've Been Waiting For". Rolling Stone India. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.
^ "강다니엘 첫 정규앨범 발매 기자간담회" [Kang Daniel's first full album release press conference]. Yonhap News (in Korean). May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022 – via Naver.
^ 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (May 20, 2022). "[📢]강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM [The Story] Countdown Live with V LIVE💚: 2022. 05. 24 5PM (KST). Coming Soon! #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Twitter.
^ "[온라인몰] 강다니엘(KANG DANIEL) - 1st Full Album [The Story] FAN SIGN EVENT" [[Online Mall] Kang Daniel - 1st Full Album [The Story] FAN SIGN EVENT]. Soundwave (in Korean). May 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
^ "[단독]강다니엘·노사연, '식스센스3' 게스트 출격" [[Exclusive] Kang Daniel·Noh Sa-yeon, 'Sixth Sense 3' guest appearance]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). May 10, 2022. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "강다니엘, '블록버스터' 스페셜 게스트…RC카 대결 관심↑" [Kang Daniel 'Blockbuster' special guest... interest in RC car showdown↑]. iMBC (in Korean). May 27, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "강다니엘, 허리디스크로 '뮤뱅' 출연 취소…"충분한 휴식 필요"" [Kang Daniel cancels his 'Music Bank' appearance due to herniated disc... "Need enough rest"]. News1 Korea (in Korean). June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "Oh No! Kang Daniel Cancels Music Show Appearances Due To A Herniated Disc". Cosmopolitan Philippines. June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.
^ "Kang Daniel sells over 316,000 copies of his new album". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
^ "Digital Chart – Week 22 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
^ "강다니엘, 美 '켈리 클락슨 쇼' 출연… 클락슨 "가장 성공적인 솔로 아티스트"" [Kang Daniel to appear on the US 'Kelly Clarkson Show'... Clarkson "most successful solo artist"]. Ten Asia (in Korean). June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^ "강다니엘, 美 '켈리 클락슨 쇼' 압도적 무대..클락슨도 감탄" [Kang Daniel, overwhelming performance at the US 'Kelly Clarkson Show'.. Clarkson is also impressed]. Ten Asia (in Korean). June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^ 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (May 12, 2022). "강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM [The Story] Track List: 🕕Release On 2022.05.24 (KST). #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022 – via Twitter.
^ 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (November 13, 2022). "강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM Repackage : Retold Track List: 🕕Release On 2022.11.24 (KST). #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory #Repackage #Retold" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022 – via Twitter.
^ "Album Chart – Week 22 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.
^ "Gaon Album Chart – May 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.
^ "강다니엘, 타이틀곡은 '너바나'" [Kang Daniel, title track "Nirvana"]. Financial News (in Korean). November 14, 2022. Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022 – via Naver.

[1] "Kang Daniel to return with 'The Story' this May". Bandwagon Asia (in Korean). May 2, 2022. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022.

[2] "강다니엘이 온다" [Kang Daniel is coming]. Sports Khan (in Korean). May 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Naver.

[3] 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (May 4, 2022). "[📢]강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM [The Story] Pre-Order Notice 💿 예약 판매 : 2022.05.04 (수) 2PM ~ 공식 팬카페 애플리케이션 - Notice에서 확인해주세요. #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 4, 2022. Retrieved May 4, 2022 – via Twitter.

[4] "'컴백' 강다니엘, 솔로 3년의 음악 서사…독보적 존재감 예고" ['Comeback' Kang Daniel, a 3 year solo musical narrative... prediction of unique presence]. Newsen (in Korean). May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022 – via Naver.

[5] "강다니엘, 첫 정규앨범 10곡 전곡 작사 참여" [Kang Daniel participated in writing lyrics for all 10 songs in his first full-length album]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). May 13, 2022. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022 – via Naver.

[6] "The K-pop megastar talks about his latest release Magenta!". Life Without Andy. August 13, 2020. Archived from the original on April 22, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2021.

[7] "'컴백' 강다니엘, "나에 대한 믿음 많이 생겨"…13개월 동안 앨범에 공들였다" ['Comeback' Kang Daniel says "I have gained a lot of faith in myself"... worked on the album for 13 months]. Xports News (in Korean). May 15, 2022. Archived from the original on May 17, 2022. Retrieved May 17, 2022 – via Naver.

[8] "Cover Story: Kang Daniel is The Artist You've Been Waiting For". Rolling Stone India. May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022.

[9] "강다니엘 첫 정규앨범 발매 기자간담회" [Kang Daniel's first full album release press conference]. Yonhap News (in Korean). May 24, 2022. Archived from the original on May 24, 2022. Retrieved May 24, 2022 – via Naver.

[10] 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (May 20, 2022). "[📢]강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM [The Story] Countdown Live with V LIVE💚: 2022. 05. 24 5PM (KST). Coming Soon! #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2022 – via Twitter.

[11] "[온라인몰] 강다니엘(KANG DANIEL) - 1st Full Album [The Story] FAN SIGN EVENT" [[Online Mall] Kang Daniel - 1st Full Album [The Story] FAN SIGN EVENT]. Soundwave (in Korean). May 4, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022.

[12] "[단독]강다니엘·노사연, '식스센스3' 게스트 출격" [[Exclusive] Kang Daniel·Noh Sa-yeon, 'Sixth Sense 3' guest appearance]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). May 10, 2022. Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. Retrieved May 10, 2022 – via Naver.

[13] "강다니엘, '블록버스터' 스페셜 게스트…RC카 대결 관심↑" [Kang Daniel 'Blockbuster' special guest... interest in RC car showdown↑]. iMBC (in Korean). May 27, 2022. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022 – via Naver.

[14] "강다니엘, 허리디스크로 '뮤뱅' 출연 취소…"충분한 휴식 필요"" [Kang Daniel cancels his 'Music Bank' appearance due to herniated disc... "Need enough rest"]. News1 Korea (in Korean). June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on June 3, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022 – via Naver.

[15] "Oh No! Kang Daniel Cancels Music Show Appearances Due To A Herniated Disc". Cosmopolitan Philippines. June 3, 2022. Archived from the original on June 5, 2022. Retrieved June 5, 2022.

[16] "Kang Daniel sells over 316,000 copies of his new album". Korea JoongAng Daily. May 31, 2022. Archived from the original on May 31, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.

[gaon-17] "Digital Chart – Week 22 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.

[18] "강다니엘, 美 '켈리 클락슨 쇼' 출연… 클락슨 "가장 성공적인 솔로 아티스트"" [Kang Daniel to appear on the US 'Kelly Clarkson Show'... Clarkson "most successful solo artist"]. Ten Asia (in Korean). June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Naver.

[19] "강다니엘, 美 '켈리 클락슨 쇼' 압도적 무대..클락슨도 감탄" [Kang Daniel, overwhelming performance at the US 'Kelly Clarkson Show'.. Clarkson is also impressed]. Ten Asia (in Korean). June 17, 2022. Archived from the original on June 17, 2022. Retrieved June 23, 2022 – via Naver.

[20] 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (May 12, 2022). "강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM [The Story] Track List: 🕕Release On 2022.05.24 (KST). #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022 – via Twitter.

[21] 강다니엘 KANGDANIEL [@konnect_danielk] (November 13, 2022). "강다니엘(KANGDANIEL) 1ST FULL ALBUM Repackage : Retold Track List: 🕕Release On 2022.11.24 (KST). #강다니엘 #KANGDANIEL #TheStory #Repackage #Retold" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 17, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022 – via Twitter.

[22] "Album Chart – Week 22 of 2022". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 2, 2022. Retrieved June 2, 2022.

[23] "Gaon Album Chart – May 2022". Gaon Music Chart (in Korean). Retrieved June 9, 2022.

[24] "강다니엘, 타이틀곡은 '너바나'" [Kang Daniel, title track "Nirvana"]. Financial News (in Korean). November 14, 2022. Archived from the original on November 20, 2022. Retrieved November 20, 2022 – via Naver.

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