Jang Han-eum, a standout vocalist from Mnet’s audition program “Boys II Planet” (2025), is returning to his solo career with his second EP, “Daydream” — an album filled with his own music and personal narrative.

“One of perks of being a soloist, compared to being in a group, is that I can deliver my own personal message,” the 21-year-old said during a press showcase held at Seongam Art Hall in southern Seoul on Monday.

“The primary reason for me to pursue music is to give hope and comfort to others,” he shared, describing the album as “a story about why we continue to dream despite everything.”

“There are so many people in this world who would mock others for having a dream or look down on those with big ambitions,” he said. “So I wanted to encourage listeners not to be shaken by others’ views and to pursue their dreams.”

“Daydream” comes about 10 months after his previous EP, “Lucid Dream” (2025), and marks the second installment of what Jang referred to as “the ‘Dream’ trilogy.”

“I wanted to create music with a focus on hope rather than love stories, and that’s where the ‘Dream’ trilogy started,” Jang said, adding that hints for the third and final piece of the series are hidden in the new EP.

“Daydream” features nine songs: two lead tracks “Wanna” and “Only 1,” along with B-sides “Imagine,” “Daydream,” “Kingdom Come,” “Helas (why do we live),” “Imperfect,” “After the dream” and “MidsummerNight.”

Jang is credited as songwriter and lyricist for all tracks in the album, named as the sole lyricist on every song except “Only 1.”

“There were difficult moments, from the period I worked on ‘Lucid Dream’ to my time on the broadcasting program and preparing the album alone,” Jang shared. “During those moments, I wrote down lyrics thinking I had to overcome this. Those moments were reflected in this album.”

With “Wanna,” one of the two lead tracks of the album, Jang took on new challenges by incorporating choreography into his performance for the first time as a soloist, as well as rap verses.

“I wanted to show different phases as a performer, especially since this is my first time performing as a soloist with a choreography,” Jang said. ”I tried various genres and styles across the nine tracks, so I hope to present those new sides of me.”

Jang competed in the Mnet audition program “Boys II Planet.” The show, which marked the second season of the “Boys Planet” franchise, aired from July to September last year, and debuted eight-member boy band Alpha Drive One. Jang was recognized for his vocal prowess during the show and advanced to the final round, finishing in 18th place.

He had reportedly been in talks to debut as a trio with two other popular contestants of the show — Chuei Li Yu and Kang Woo-jin — but the project ultimately fell through, with the two now set to debut as a duo and Jang remaining as a soloist. During the showcase, he refrained from addressing other artists’ activities.

Now, back on stage alone, Jang is ready to take on new challenges.

“This is my first song with a dance performance, so my primary goal this time is to deliver the performance well,” he said. “And I wish to leave an impression to the public so that people could think, ‘He’s good.’”

BY SHIN HA-NEE [shin.hanee@joongang.co.kr]