Voyager is the debut single album by the South Korean vocalist Kihyun. It was released by Starship Entertainment and distributed by Kakao Entertainment on March 15, 2022. The single album contains three tracks, including the title track of the same name.
On February 18, Starship Entertainment released a logo video and image that were posted on the official SNS channel of Monsta X that were revealed to be a combination of K and H, the English initials of member Kihyun, confirming his solo debut through Daum Cafe.[3][4] On March 15, Kihyun held a debut showcase on Naver Now's #OUTNOW to introduce Voyager along with its title track.[5][6]
The single album was released in three standard versions; Voyager, Somewhere, and The 1st Journey, along with jewel case and KiT versions. It also contains three songs; the title track "Voyager", ", (Comma)", which Kihyun participated in writing the lyrics with British singer-songwriter Etham, and "Rain".[7][8]
The music video for "Voyager" was released simultaneously with the album. Kihyun described the music video as a cross-section of a dream that escapes from the same daily life in search of his own pure love of music that was gradually being lost due to reality.[9] On March 24, Kihyun released a special clip for the song ", (Comma)".[10][11]
Voyager literally means "traveler" in English. It is an album that tells the story of Kihyun, who went on a trip to a new world, from a "traveler's point of view".[9][12]
"Voyager" is a pop number genre with strong addictive bass and guitar sounds, that emphasizes his cool vocals, along with the rocking band sound that soothes the weary mind.[9] It is also an exciting, high-energy song, about adventuring into the paradise he has always dreamed of, where the lyrics are about going off the grid and seeing the world, but they also reflect his personal experiences venturing into solo music. ", (Comma)" takes a slightly softer tone, using the lyrics to drive home a more personal message about constantly trying to appear like he is okay, with the pressure to perform at high levels, regardless of the mental and emotional toll, is something we all experience in the modern world. "Rain" clings on a darker, more mysterious sound than the previous two songs, describing the emotional aftermath of a painful breakup.[13]
Taylor Glasby of Clash described the title track as "a natural fit for Kihyun's vocal dexterity, the ability to settle into scratchy huskiness as easily as the power notes he's famous for".[1] For the three tracks, Kathleen Nolan of American Songwriter wrote "while 'Voyager' sets the tone of a thrilling new adventure for Kihyun, ', (Comma)' and 'Rain' highlight his emotional side and strong lyrical ability".[13]
The single album debuted at number six on the monthly Gaon Album Chart and sold more than 190,000 copies in its first month of release in South Korea.[14] Kihyun also received his first Hanteo Chart Bronze Certification Plaque for achieving 135,436 copies of Initial Chodong sales in its first week of release in South Korea.[15]
"Voyager" debuted at number 73 on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart,[16] and at number 183 on the monthly Gaon Digital Chart, making it Kihyun's first entry on the monthly chart for digitals.[17] For the other tracks, ", (Comma)" debuted at number 197 on the weekly Gaon Digital Chart,[16] although "Rain" did not enter the Gaon Digital Chart, it did appear on its component Gaon Download Chart, peaking at number 28.[18] All the three tracks also appeared on the weekly BillboardWorld Digital Song Sales chart, with "Voyager" debuting at number 6, "Rain" at number 8, and ", (Comma)" at number 9.[19]
^Lee, Seung-hoon (February 18, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 데뷔 7년만 첫 솔로 데뷔? 의문의 로고 영상 깜짝 공개 [MONSTA X Kihyun, first solo debut after 7 years of debut? Surprise release of mysterious logo video]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 19, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, No-eul (February 19, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 데뷔 7년만 첫 솔로 데뷔하나…기습 로고 공개 [MONSTA X's Kihyun to make his first solo debut in 7 years... Reveal the surprise logo]. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Seung-hoon (March 16, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, '보이저' 솔로 데뷔쇼 성료→라이브 최초 공개..몬베베와 풍성한 소통 [MONSTA X's Kihyun, 'Voyager' solo debut show completed → Live first release... Rich communication with Monbebe]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Lee, Hye-min (March 16, 2022). 기현, 솔로곡 '보이저' 첫 공개…'#아웃나우' 데뷔쇼 성료 [Kihyun's first solo song 'Voyager' released... '#OutNow' debut show completed]. Newsis (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Na-young (March 15, 2022). '솔로 데뷔' 몬스타엑스 기현, 오늘(15일) 첫 싱글 '보이저' 발매 ['Solo Debut' MONSTA X's Kihyun to release his first single 'Voyager' today (15th)]. MK Sports (in Korean). Retrieved March 23, 2022 – via Naver.
^ abcJeong, Ga-young (March 15, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현 "나만의 낙원에 초대하고 싶어요" [일문일답] [MONSTA X Kihyun "I want to invite you to my own paradise" [Q&A]]. Sports World (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, No-eul (March 25, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 첫 작사 참여곡 ',(COMMA)' 스페셜 클립 공개 [Kihyun of MONSTA X releases special clip for ',(COMMA)']. Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2022 – via Naver.
^Kim, Soo-jin (March 25, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 첫 작사 참여곡 ',콤마 (COMMA)'로 전한 감동 [MONSTA X's Kihyun, the first lyricist participated in the song ',COMMA', the emotion conveyed]. Star News (in Korean). Retrieved March 25, 2022 – via Naver.
^Hwang, Hye-jin (March 15, 2022). 몬스타엑스 기현, 오늘(15일) 7년만 솔로 데뷔…'VOYAGER' 발매 [MONSTA X's Kihyun, debuted as a solo artist for the first time in 7 years today (15th)... Release of 'VOYAGER']. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved March 19, 2022 – via Naver.
