KIRE arrived at our ELLE Singapore shoot looking every inch the man on the go, luggage in hand, and exuding a laid-back demeanour that set a relaxed tone for the day. As the Apple Music playlist filled the studio with hits from Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Lil Wayne, and Kanye West, he kept the mood light between takes with small talk and humour, radiating an effortless charm. From the outset, it was clear that KIRE’s down-to-earth candour isn’t reserved solely for his fans but extends to everyone around him, including his crew and entourage.

During an hour-long break between the photo and video segments at The Singapore EDITION’s Wonder Room, I got to chat with him one-on-one. It quickly became clear that KIRE is here to be unapologetically himself. It’s a refreshing quality that shines through his stories and vision.

The Taiwanese star grew up with a childhood dream of pursuing music, a vision that continues to drive him as he embarks on his global tour, aptly titled "The Kid Who Flew". As we settled into our conversation, he shared his youthful ambition with a laugh: “I actually wanted to be in a boy band growing up. Any boy group—just not the stripper ones,” he jokes. Reclining on a velvet red couch, he recalls, “Back then, I was really into this boy band called TVXQ—they were massive at the time. There was also BIGBANG. I loved their music and how, as a team, they created such amazing music, choreography, and music videos.”

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Migrating from Taiwan to Texas at nine years old, however, meant that his path to music was worlds apart from what he might have experienced in Taiwan. “We didn’t have a K-pop training system,” he notes. On top of that, there were few Mandarin speakers in his area, which created a cultural shift for KIRE. “You know how someone might migrate to a country and continue speaking their own language because they’re surrounded by others of the same background? It was different for me,” he explains. “I didn’t speak Mandarin for 10 years and was effectively forced to learn English.”

With limited resources, KIRE found creative ways to pursue his dreams. “I learned to dance and produce music by myself; I learnt everything on YouTube.” Returning to Taiwan, he eventually formed the hip-hop duo BOI! But it wasn’t all smooth sailing: “I’d prefer five in a group because the choreography would be better visually, and there would be more personalities, so you’ll get more fans. It ended up being a two-man group, and that didn’t go so well,” he admits.

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Every artist dreads the thought of being unable to perform, and this nightmare became a reality for KIRE after he left the group. Bound by contract restrictions, he was unable to perform for two years. “It was painful. Imagine loving to perform, but being prevented from doing so for legal reasons,” he reflects. Making the most of his forced hiatus, he immersed himself in music production and the business side of the industry—skills he would later put to use as head of his label, H.A.L.O. Music.

Running his own label comes with its perks, but balancing creativity with business demands has proven challenging. “As a creative, you want to pursue ideas without worrying too much about budget, right? But as a business owner, I can’t afford to think like that—I have to be like, ‘If the company doesn’t have a budget, we’re going to go broke.’ At the same time, if an artist can’t explore their art, it stifles their passion to create,” KIRE explains. “To strike that balance, I aim to keep everything creative within a budget. The concept always comes first—if the idea isn’t strong, no amount of production can save it. But when a great idea meets a smart budget, that’s where the magic happens.”

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When it comes to musical inspiration, KIRE doesn’t hold back. “Kanye West—I like Ye, he’s one-of-a-kind.” It’s a fitting choice, given West’s boundary-pushing career and enduring impact on the industry. “I have all his albums on both CD and vinyl and try to collect as much as I can,” he shares, noting Power and New Slaves as his favourites.

KIRE admires Kanye for more than just his music. “Beyond the music, Ye showed that you can achieve so much, regardless of age. We’re in a society where, if you’re past 30 or 40, you’re expected to slow down, but he taught me that there’s always time to master new things, and you should go after what you want because you only live once.” Another artist KIRE dreams of collaborating with is BIGBANG’s Taeyang. “My gosh, he’s my hero,” he enthuses. “‘Taeyang’ means ‘sun,’ doesn’t it? He truly embodies that by brightening his fans’ lives whenever he performs or releases a song. I want to be an artist like that.”

Connection plays a pivotal role in KIRE’s songwriting. “When I’m writing a song now, I think about how I can connect with people—what can I say that will resonate with them? I want them to find their own story and connection within it,” he explains. Reflecting on today’s music landscape, he adds, “It’s wild how artists have to constantly push music out. Now we’re just creating IG content or TikTok challenges to get people to listen, but you can’t hate the game—you’ve got to learn and adapt.”

His latest single, l.s.d., is a sultry mix of R&B and electronic influences, drawn from his own experiences. “LSD, as most people know, is a drug, right? But for me, it’s more about lust, sex, and the ‘D’. The ‘D’ can mean anything—dream, desire, whatever you want. The song reflects personal experiences with different individuals, capturing that in-the-moment feeling.” Written in just half a day, he says, “It just flowed out.” Shot in a vertical reel format, the accompanying music video intensifies the mood: KIRE and his love interests in an octagonal space, with intimate visuals that perfectly match the song’s vibe.

When engaging with fans, KIRE leans into his natural openness, though he keeps certain boundaries in place. “I always take one-on-one photos with fans, and sometimes they’ll lean in and whisper, ‘KIRE, I’m so wet right now.’ They can also get a bit touchy. I already have my hands out and ask them what pose they’d like, but they’re already hugging and all,” he shares with a laugh. He’s quick to add, “I’m like, ‘Okay, I can’t have both your legs around me. And I’d rather minors didn’t say things like that!’”

Reflecting on his journey from boy band hopeful to solo artist and now label owner, KIRE has come to appreciate the value of patience. His advice to his younger self is simple but resonant: “Relax. It’s going to happen sooner or later. Be grateful, but never satisfied.”

KIRE's new single "l.s.d" is available to stream on all music streaming platforms.

*The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Photographer NATSUKO TERUYA
Producer & Stylist NAVIN PILLAY
Grooming AYANO
Photographer's Assistant DANIEL OLIVER WEST
Stylist's Assistant RIKA SELVIANA
Special thanks The Singapore EDITION