Singer-songwriter Kim Jae Hwan is preparing for a solo debut as his next career move following the disbandment of his former group Wanna One in December 2018.
His talent agency, Swing Entertainment, confirmed the reports and speculations on April 23, Tuesday.
"It is true that we are taking photos for Kim Jae Hwan's upcoming solo album today. He is currently recording his new songs as well, but the exact date of his debut is still yet to be decided," the company revealed in a statement.
According to previous reports, his debut effort as a solo artist will include tracks that he himself wrote.
This news comes over a month ahead of his first-ever solo fan meeting tour, "2019: Kim Jae Hwan Fan Meeting MIN:D," which will kick off on May 26 - a day shy of his 23rd birthday.
The event, which will take place at the Jamsil Indoor Gymnasium in Seoul, will be a back-to-back to show slated at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. KST.
The Asia-wide said tour will also see Jae Hwan serenade his fans (called WIN:Ds) across Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Malaysia.
Jae Hwan will be the seventh former Wanna One member to hold a fan meeting. Others who preceded him include Park Ji Hoon, Ong Seong Wu, Yoon Ji Sung, Ha Sung Woon, Bae Jin Young, and Lai Kuan Lin.
The 22-year-old Korean idol first gained attention when he joined the second season of Produce 101, placing fourth in the finale.
As a member of Wanna One, he, along with 10 other members, released the debut EP "1x1=1 (To Be One)" in August 2017. It contained the tracks "Energetic" and "Burn It Up." It was repackaged as "1-1=0 (Nothing Without You)," with "Beautiful" as the lead single.
In 2018, they released two more efforts - their second EP "0+1=1 (I Promise You)" and their full-length album "1¹¹=1 (Power of Destiny)."
Wanna One bid goodbye through a series of shows held in January this year. After their disbandment, all members were reported to embark on a solo career - with the exception of Daehwi and Woojin, who have signed under Brand New Music. They will debut as part of a new boy group.
