“Let me spill my pain to you… I’m not someone who’s always smiling and always okay.”
This album feels closer to a confession than comfort. It is music created to release emotions, a record of bringing hidden feelings to the surface, says Wonpil. Wonpil, who once offered gentle solace through “A Journey,” no longer hides his emotions this time.
He lays bare everything: anxiety, loss, and suffocating frustration that existed behind his brightness. True to the album title 'Unpiltered,' he peels back another layer of emotion, returning with more honest music by expressing feelings without restraint.
“It’s such a dark story that I worry fans might be concerned. Just as I was able to release my emotions through this song, I hope it can become a kind of emotional trash can where listeners can throw away their negative feelings.”
Dispatch recently met DAY6’s Wonpil, who has returned with a solo album, to explore this new chapter in his music.
Uncharted
Wonpil will release his first solo mini album Unfiltered on March 30. It marks his return as a solo artist approximately four years after his first solo album, 'Pilmography,' released in February 2022.
The new album captures Wonpil as he is in 2026. “I’ve always liked a variety of genres,” he explained. “I didn’t want to be confined to just one, so I incorporated that mindset into all seven tracks.”
The album includes the title track “Highs and Lows,” along with “Toxic Love,” “Already Grown Up,” “Up All Night,” “Step by Step,” “Hold My Love,” and “Piano.” Wonpil participated in the creation of every track.
The starting point for this project was “trying something new.”
“While preparing for DAY6’s 10th anniversary album, I wanted to experiment with something different. That direction naturally carried over into my solo work.”
“My goal was simple—what kind of music can I make, and what can I show? Since it’s a solo album, I became more ambitious. I tried and challenged myself in more diverse ways.”
Unspoken
The title track, “Highs and Lows,” most clearly reflects that determination. It is a rock ballad distinguished by a powerful, escalating band sound. Wonpil adds emotionally charged high notes over rough drum beats.
“I don’t think My Day (fandom name) ever imagined I’d sing lyrics like this or perform a track like this,” he said. “It’s something I’ve envisioned for a long time. Woo Min, who’s been with me since my debut, brought it to life perfectly.”
Though it may sound like a love song, “Highs and Lows” did not begin with love.
“As we live, it’s hard to fully express our true feelings in words. I created this song as if releasing all those bottled-up emotions people endure.”
“Everyone experiences pain in life. I’ve gone through the loss of someone, and rather than hiding that grief, I wanted to talk about it. Working on this song helped me release a lot of those emotions.”
He also delivered a powerful performance in the music video, expressing the pain of loss through anguished cries.
“I stood in front of the camera in special effects makeup, and I became completely immersed. I think I poured out everything I had been trying to hide.”
Unveiled
Not only the title track, but every song on the album reflects Wonpil’s honest story.
“After my discharge, I realized that the public’s perspective on DAY6 had changed. I think that’s when I started to feel pressure.”
“I used to barely get nervous before performances, but now I do. That made me question whether it’s right to only show a positive side of myself. So this time, at least through my music, I wanted to let go a bit and show myself as I truly am.”
The track “Already Grown Up” captures the conflicting feelings of not wanting to grow up, yet accepting that becoming an adult isn’t entirely bad. The final track, “Piano,” expresses his honest fear of being forgotten.
“‘A Journey’ was only bright. I wanted to show a different side of myself as a person. I included even my darker emotions. But I hope fans don’t worry too much. I hope this album becomes an outlet where they can release their own emotional burdens.”
His first solo title track, “A Journey” continues to climb back up the charts every January 1 as a New Year’s song. When asked if this album has a track that could match it, he hesitated.
“I can’t think that way—it makes it harder. I don’t think there’s a song that can compete with it,” he said with a laugh.
“In terms of message, ‘Already Grown Up’ might be a comforting song. As for ‘Highs and Lows,’ I hope it becomes an emotional trash can where listeners can throw away their negative feelings—just like I did, I hope they can let everything out and feel relieved.”
Unfiltered
Within DAY6, Wonpil has always been the warm voice—an artist who writes, composes, and performs, supporting the emotional core of the group. Yet each time he steps out solo, he reveals a different side of himself.
If his first solo offered gentle comfort, this time he opens what lies beneath. Unfiltered emotions, unspoken loss, the process of becoming an adult, and the fear of being forgotten—'Unpilltered' is the album where Wonpil directly confronts his darker side for the first time.
He described the album as “a record of who I am at this point in time.”
“If you ask what my musical identity is, I still don’t know,” he admitted. “The kind of music I like keeps changing, and I don’t want to be limited to a genre.”
“I think the public defines my color. I just hope they do. What I want has always been the same—I want to make music that doesn’t age. Even after 10 or 20 years, I want it to remain timeless.”
From May 1 to 3, Wonpil will hold solo concerts at Jamsil Indoor Stadium in Songpa, Seoul.
“Performing in such a large venue does feel like pressure. But I want to prove myself. I’m working hard, preparing through rehearsals.”
“With this album, I want to tell My Day that I can try new things too, so there’s no need to worry. Whether it’s DAY6 or my future music, I’m thinking everything through. I’ll return with good music, and I want to show that I can do something new.”
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