Cyan (stylized CYAN) is the second extended play (EP) by South Korean singer and songwriter Kang Daniel. It was released on March 24, 2020 by Konnect Entertainment and distributed by Sony Music Korea. Cyan contains five tracks with "2U" serving as its lead single.[1] "Touchin'" was pre-released in 2019 and included in the EP.
Background
On March 2, 2020, Kang posted on his Instagram account for the first time since his hiatus in December, updating that he completed recording music.[2] Following that post, Konnect officially announced a return in March.[3] On March 9, Konnect confirmed Kang would release his first mini album Cyan on March 24.[4] Pre-orders began on March 11.[5]
Kang described Cyan as the "first button" in the process of finding his true colors as part of his "color trilogy" project. For Cyan he aimed to project positive energy and put his dreams, passion, and challenges with the cyan color. He took part in the process of making the album from track selection and recording to choosing the release themes, working on the choreography, and being involved with music video production.[6][7] In an interview with Grazia Korea, Kang was asked about the goal of this first installment. He responded that the album was released shortly after his break, so he wanted the songs to be enjoyable to listen to. Just hearing that his songs were good meant he achieved his goals. Cyan was about new songs, and the next album in the trilogy encompasses what he is good at in addition to showcasing new things.[8]
Promotion
Kang kicked off promotions by appearing on the March 22 episode of Running Man and performed a preview of "2U".[9] Kang's comeback show aired on Mnet and M2 channels on March 24 at 8PM KST. He performed lead single "2U" in addition to B-sides "Jealous", "Touchin'", and "Adulthood" and prepared various content, including a look into his daily life.[10] No media showcase was held in consideration of the COVID-19 situation.[11] He performed on all music shows and appeared on radio shows Idol Radio, Volume Up, and Choi Hwa-jung's Power Time within the two weeks of promotions.[12]
Commercial performance
Cyan reached 260,000 physical album sales within a week. According to Hanteo Chart, Cyan had the highest cumulative first-week sales in 2020 by a soloist at the time and the fourth highest first-week sales among all albums released in the first quarter of 2020.[13] Kang also achieved a Gaon triple crown by topping the album, download, and BGM weekly charts.[14][15]
^"강다니엘 미니 1집 타이틀곡 '2U', 제목부터 통통 튄다" [Kang Daniel's 1st Mini Album Title Song, "2U", Bouncing from the Title]. Newsen (in Korean). March 17, 2020. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
^"강다니엘이 인스타 새로 만들고 처음 올린 게시물은?" [What is the first post Kang Daniel created and posted on Instagram?]. Xports News (in Korean). March 2, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
^"'이제 일어나겠다'고 한 강다니엘, 봄바람 타고 일어난다…3월 복귀 선언" [Kang Daniel, who said 'I'll get up now', gets up in the spring breeze... Declaration of return in March]. Xports News (in Korean). March 3, 2020. Archived from the original on March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
^"컴백, 강다니엘', 오는 24일 CYAN 발매 확정…컬러시리즈 3부작" [Comeback, Kang Daniel, confirmed to release CYAN on the 24th… Color series trilogy]. Xports News (in Korean). March 9, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
^"Daniel Next Door". Grazia (in Korean). April 24, 2020. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
^"'런닝맨' 강다니엘, "컴백 준비" 근황 전하며 '2U' 안무… "발걸음 가벼워"" ['Running Man' Kang Daniel, choreographing '2U' while delivering the recent status of "Preparing for Comeback"... "The footsteps are light"]. SBS funE (in Korean). March 22, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2020.
^"Mnet '강다니엘 컴백쇼' 24일 방송..신곡 '2U' 최초공개→리얼 일상까지(공식)" [Mnet 'Kang Daniel Comeback Show' broadcast on the 24th.. New song '2U' first released → Real life (Official)]. Herald Pop (in Korean). March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
^"강다니엘 측 "코로나19 확산 방지 위해 미디어 쇼케이스 NO" [공식입장]" [Kang Daniel's "No Media Showcase to Prevent the Spread of Corona 19" [Official Position]]. Mydaily (in Korean). March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
^"강다니엘, 음방 3관왕 달성..7일 '쇼챔' 끝으로 '2U' 활동 끝 [공식]" [Kang Daniel achieves 3 awards in music room.. '2U' activity ends with 'Show Cham' on the 7th [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). April 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
^"강다니엘, 새 앨범 CYAN 초동 판매량 26만장 기록..올해 솔로 가수 1위 [공식]" [Kang Daniel, recorded 260,000 copies in initial sales of new album CYAN.. 1st solo singer this year [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). March 31, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
^"강다니엘, 상큼·청량 '인간 이온음료' 탄생…꽉 채운 1주 차 활동 마무리" [Kang Daniel, a refreshing and refreshing 'Human Ion Beverage' born... End of full week 1 activity]. OSEN (in Korean). March 30, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
^"강다니엘, 음방 3관왕 달성..7일 '쇼챔' 끝으로 '2U' 활동 끝 [공식]" [Kang Daniel achieves 3 awards in music room.. '2U' activity ends with 'Show Cham' on the 7th [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). April 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2020.
