"Touchin'" (stylized "TOUCHIN'") is a song by South Korean singer Kang Daniel. It was released digitally by Konnect Entertainment on November 25, 2019 and was later included in his second EPCyan on March 24, 2020. The digital single included a second track "Adulthood" with lyrics co-written by Kang.
Background
On November 13, 2019, Kang Daniel posted a surprise teaser image on social media and announced news of a digital single release on the 25th at 6pm KST, marking his first comeback after releasing Color on Me four months prior. The single is said to be his first step towards a broad musical spectrum.[1] An image of entwined hands, which would serve as the single's cover picture, was posted on the 18th and also revealed the title track name.[2] The first set of black-and-white noir-themed concept photos was posted on the 20th, and a second set of photos featuring Kang in a suit was uploaded on the 21st.[3][4]
Composition
"Touchin'" is described as having an '80s to '90s pop sound that combines characteristics of various genres, including EDM, rock, and dance, highlighting a strong bass in the chorus. The song's motif interprets the first encounter between a film's main characters.
The second track “Adulthood” expresses thoughts about becoming an adult but not wanting to grow up yet. Lyrically, there is push and pull between the ideal free-spirited adult self and the tired and lonely adult self in real life. The song has a lively melody and features a soft synthesizer.[5]
Music video
The "Touchin'" music video teaser was revealed on November 22, 2019, and the full music video produced by FantazyLab was released on November 25, 2019. The video features Kang in a casual setting approaching an old CRT television and selecting a VHS tape labeled "Touchin'" to watch. A black-and-white film runs, and one of the characters is portrayed by Kang himself.[6][7]
Promotion
Kang debuted "Touchin'" at his Color on Seoul fan meeting held at KINTEX on November 23–24, 2019 prior to the official music site release.[5] He then performed "Touchin'" at awards shows Asia Artist Awards on November 26 and the 2019 Melon Music Awards. He also made radio and variety appearances, guesting on Cultwo Show and becoming a special MC for KBS2 shows Happy Together and Fun-Staurant, where he performed the choreography.[8][9][10] He was able to promote on music shows KBS2's Music Bank, SBS's Inkigayo, and SBS MTV's The Show. His return to music shows occurred nearly a year after his last music show performance in December 2018, and he received an award in person on The Show.[11][12][13] After Kang promoted for a week, Konnect announced he would be taking a break due to health issues, and his scheduled activities were canceled.[14]
^"강다니엘, 25일 싱글 발매..4개월만 기습 컴백(공식) 본문듣기 설정" [Kang Daniel, releases a single on the 25th.. comeback by surprise after 4 months [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). November 13, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"강다니엘, 새 싱글 'TOUCHIN' 커버 아트 공개..수록곡 작사 참여[공식]" [Kang Daniel, new single 'TOUCHIN' cover art unveiled.. participating in song lyrics [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). November 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"누아르 주인공 된 강다니엘?…신보 TOUCHIN' 콘셉트 포토 첫 공개" [Kang Daniel, the main character of noir?... new TOUCHIN' concept photo released for the first time]. SBS funE (in Korean). November 20, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"버건디 슈트 장착한 강다니엘…TOUCHIN' 두 번째 콘셉트 포토" [Kang Daniel wearing a burgundy suit... TOUCHIN' 2nd concept photo]. SBS funE (in Korean). November 21, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^ ab"더 넓어진 강다니엘의 음악적 스펙트럼…타이틀곡은 "TOUCHIN'"" [Kang Daniel's wider musical spectrum... the title song is "TOUCHIN'"]. Xports News (in Korean). November 18, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"강다니엘, 신곡 'TOUCHIN' 티저‥블록버스터급 스케일 영화같은 분위기" [Kang Daniel, the teaser for the new song 'TOUCHIN'.. blockbuster scale movie-like atmosphere]. Herald Pop (in Korean). November 22, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"강다니엘 '터칭' 컴백 1주차 #성공적 #최고의1분 #4관왕" [Kang Daniel 'TOUCHIN' comeback week 1 #Successful #BestMinute #4Crowns]. Star News (in Korean). December 2, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"'해투4' 강다니엘, 새싹 MC로 등장...신곡 'TOUCHIN' 무대 공개" ['Happy Together 4' Kang Daniel appears as a sprout MC... new song 'TOUCHIN' stage released]. Ten Asia (in Korean). November 27, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020 – via Naver.
^"강다니엘, '편스토랑' 스페셜 MC 출격...마성의 매력 뽐낸다" [Kang Daniel, special MC for 'Fun-Staurant'... showing off its magical charm]. Ten Asia (in Korean). November 13, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 17, 2020 – via Naver.
^"약 1년 만에 업데이트 된 강다니엘 '뮤직뱅크' 무대 영상" [Kang Daniel's 'Music Bank' stage video updated in about a year]. Xports News (in Korean). November 30, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"'인기가요' 강다니엘, 한 편 영화 같은 비주얼..독보적 존재감 'TOUCHIN'" ['Inkigayo' Kang Daniel, a movie-like visual.. unique presence 'TOUCHIN']. Herald Pop (in Korean). December 1, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"'더쇼' 강다니엘, 컴백 후 첫 1위…붕어빵 먹방 공약 지켰다 [종합]" ['The Show' Kang Daniel, first place after comeback... the fish-shaped food promise was kept [Comprehensive]]. Xports News (in Korean). December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"강다니엘 측 "불안증세 극심, 사실상 활동 어렵다"(공식입장 전문)" [Kang Daniel's side said "anxiety is extreme, practically difficult to operate" (official position full text)]. Newsen (in Korean). December 4, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
^"'더쇼' 강다니엘, 솔로데뷔 첫 1위 "노력하는 아티스트 될게요"[종합]" ['The Show' Kang Daniel, 1st solo debut number one "I'll be an artist who works hard" [Comprehensive]]. Herald Pop (in Korean). December 3, 2019. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2020 – via Naver.
