Singer Samuel Kim is set to make a comeback after years of radio silence.
He rose to fame in 2017 as a contestant on the second season of Mnet’s survival show Produce 101, representing Brave Entertainment. Despite being a strong contender and placing second in the first round of eliminations, he did not make the final lineup for WANNA ONE, finishing 18th overall instead. This outcome came as a shock to those who believed Samuel could be a leading member of the group.
Full Video of Samuel’s Journey in PRODUCE 101 Season 2
Before Produce 101, Samuel was a trainee at PLEDIS Entertainment, where he was part of the pre-debut group that would eventually become SEVENTEEN. However, he left the agency before SEVENTEEN’s debut, citing personal reasons. In 2015, Samuel debuted in the hip-hop duo 1Punch with rapper One. They debuted in January of that year with the song “Turn Me Back.” The duo disbanded eight months later when YG Entertainment scouted One.
Samuel with Seventeen – Cute boy- My baby ^^
Samuel continued to release music as Punch, collaborating with Silentó on the single “Spotlight” in 2016. Their collaboration won them the Global Collaboration Award at the 26th Seoul Music Awards in 2017. Later, Samuel toured the US with Silentó.
Punch x Silento – SPOTLIGHT Official Music Video
Fans can’t wait to see Samuel return
After appearing on Produce 101, he embarked on a solo career in 2017 under Brave Entertainment. He released his first full-length studio album that year and followed it with multiple EPs throughout 2018. That same year, Samuel partnered with Chinese singer Zhou Zhennan to participate in the second season of Tencent’s The Collaboration. They won the competition.
Samuel’s career encountered a setback when he filed a lawsuit against Brave Entertainment over contract disputes in 2019. That was the same year he lost his father. Samuel retreated into himself for a couple of years until he won the lawsuit against his former agency in 2021. In 2022, he began to inch his way back into the public eye by hosting the Arirang Radio program Radio N’ Us.
The anticipation for Samuel’s comeback has been building, especially after he teased fans with a possible tracklist in February.
His upcoming album Now, set to be released on April 21, promises to reflect his personal growth and professional evolution. A recently released teaser video features Samuel discussing his past struggles and the maturity he’s gained over the years, adding depth to the excitement surrounding his return.
Fans are eager for this new phase in Samuel’s career and are ready to support him however they can as a way to celebrate his resilience and determination to make a mark in K-pop. – K-Pop News Writer
Featured Image: Who’s excited for Samuel’s new material? We are! Source: Instagram/@its_kimsamuel.