Uncanny Valley To The U.S.

Key’s “HUNTER”

SM Entertainment

K-pop star Key is ready to hit the stage and the streets of the United States.

The 34-year-old singer is thrilled to finally return to the U.S. for the North American leg of his World Tour, KEYLAND: Uncanny Valley. Though Key has been back to Los Angeles to perform a solo set at this year’s SM Town Live! and KCON LA, he hasn’t done a full concert since he was with his group, SHINee, in 2017.

His tour kicks off tomorrow in Los Angeles, and then he heads to Oakland, Fort Worth, Brooklyn, Chicago, and Seattle – all within three weeks. While he’s here, he’s trying to pack in as much as he can into his tight schedule: concerts, press days, meetings, and rest.

“I’m so excited,” Key says over Zoom from the SM offices in Seoul. “I still don’t know why it took eight years [for a full concert tour], but I’m excited to meet my fans as a solo artist this first time. I’m going to have fun in the U.S.”

Key admits he’s finally doing this solo tour in the U.S. because he had the opportunity. He wishes he had more time to perform in more cities and even do a European leg of the tour, but his schedule didn’t allow it. Aside from his active music career, he’s also a regular on two Korean variety shows: I Live Alone and Amazing Saturday.

“Honestly, it was hard to organize my schedule because I’m doing [I Live Alone and Amazing Saturday] every week,” he sighs. “That’s why it was hard to organize my schedule, but I thought this was the right time to go to America. Maybe if there’s a chance, I want to go to Europe for next [time] too.”

For now, American fans can look forward to witnessing Key’s highly anticipated, curated stage performance. It’s linked to his recent album, Hunter, and is themed around “Uncanny Valley,” the eerie feeling when encountering something that looks almost human, like a lifelike doll or humanoid robot. Key was inspired to take this horror concept from his childhood, watching the “scary” music videos from visual rock bands like X Japan, KISS, Dir En Grey, and L’Arc-en-Ciel. He felt that the concept matched well with the album and was a beautiful showcase of his artistry.

“I wanted my facial expressions, my hands/gloves, my outfits, and everything like that into my show,” he explains. “But in a mild way.”

Don’t expect to hear heavy metal or loud rock music from the pop star. It’s just the visual essence of rock incorporated into the show. Key wanted to showcase that the vintage, old-school aesthetic is the way to go for these performances. He explains, “I love old school. Old school is the best genre. I wanted to show [you don’t need] computer graphics, [you] just focused on singing, dancing, concept album, and outfits. I wanted to focus on them truly.”

When he first planned his concert, he started with the album before he came across the term “Uncanny Valley.” Known for breaking the mold of what is expected of K-pop artists, he wanted to incorporate horror and urban myths/legends into the story, but not in the form of zombies, ghosts, or gore. He wanted it to feel realistic but also symbolic of his fight against his inner demons. Hence, in the music video of the title track, “Hunter,” he’s fighting himself.

“The black water in the music video means blood,” Key shares. “We strangle each other, and I kill [another version of] myself. It’s [another form] of horror. I try to put those kinds of things in KEYLAND: Uncanny Valley. Not only my facial expressions, but also my music turns like you cannot imagine. It immediately switches to the other music. So people at my first show couldn’t imagine what was coming next. They felt this weird, but exciting feeling that I wanted to put in my concert.”

Though his previous KEYLAND: Uncanny Valley concerts were livestreamed on Weverse back in September, the live experience of this concert is a whole other thing. The outfits, storytelling, choreography, and Key’s raw, robust vocals are why he’s considered one of K-pop’s “All-Rounders” and the “Concept King.”

He did share that mixing his previous music into the setlist was very difficult because those songs and the concept didn’t fit with the themes of Uncanny Valley. His entire mood and expressions in the performance would even have to change.

“The director and I discussed how we were going to put those songs in the middle of the setlist,” he explains. “I have to sing differently. I even have to smile differently. On the setlist, before “CoolAs” started, there is an introduction. It’s all about white noise, like a cell phone ringing, harsh noises, and all of those things. We put it in there. I wanted to put those songs on like white noise. That’s the only way I could do it in Uncanny Valley. I didn’t want to sing just dark songs.”

He does plan to speak to his fans in English, which he is fluent in. He proves his proficiency by doing this interview entirely in English. He smirks, “When I first made the setlist, we already considered having a U.S. tour. That’s why I put all English songs in there. I’m going to wear the same outfits, but I want to talk with my fans in English.”

Key recalls performing in Los Angeles this past summer at KCON and being greeted by the crowd with barking. He laughs, initially not understanding what it meant when he first heard it, but after hearing it more and learning its meaning, he absolutely loves it.

“That’s their chant,” he smiles widely. “When I first heard it, I thought it was crazy. I told them to calm down a little bit. But at KCON, I was enjoying it. Those fandoms were not all my fans, but they enjoyed my songs too. It felt so good to see them. It was heartwarming. At the last song, I felt so emotional. I definitely have to come to the U.S. more often.”

Key hopes that fans will go even crazier at his solo concerts. He wants to hear all the barking and shouts of joy. He laughs, “This time I don’t want to calm them down.”

In between his concerts, he hopes to find time to enjoy the city. He wouldn’t disclose his exploration plans for safety reasons, but he has cool spots at each location he wants to see. It’s been a long time since he’s seen many of the cities he’s visiting. He remembers that when he visited New York City a few years ago, there was only a Lego Store and a steakhouse. Now, it’s grown so much in every borough. He wants to document his time and experiences for his fans, “I think it’s important to show them my real life in America and how I am enjoying it.”

He is excited to greet his Chicago fans because that venue sold out the fastest, and he is curious about how and why. He looks genuinely confused, forgetting that he’s a popular artist with fans from all over the world.

“I want to ask them, ‘What the heck?” Key says inquisitively. “Chicago is the City of Music, right? I’m so excited to play in Chicago. But what’s wrong with you guys? It sold out really fast.”

It’s this humility that has made Key one of the most beloved artists in Korea. Despite almost 18 years since his debut, he still becomes emotional at every successful moment. Just recently, he broke down in tears during the filming of Amazing Saturday when he was informed that his album had won a Music Bank award. He is simply proud and happy to continue doing this as a career, especially in his 30s, and hopes his juniors understand they can do this too.

“[They] can do this better than me,” he says. “When [they] become my age, [they] can do way better than me. To all in the K-pop industry, I want to say that I’m still doing this. Don’t forget. I’m doing it. I will do this even at my age. I still can do this. I’m doing this because this is my job. This is what I do.”

He often thinks about his younger self – 20s Key – and how he thought he knew everything, but learned quickly, he did not. It’s not much different from his 30s now, but he feels more clarity about his identity. He laughs, revealing he’d tell Young Key not to be arrogant and to listen to the advice and opinions of his elders.

“In my 30s, it’s still blurry, but I can see myself somehow, and can put myself into an album and variety show,” he says, feeling wise. “It’s like selling your own brand. Branding is everything these days.”

Key has branded himself as a well-known, exceptional performer and a variety star who captivates audiences with his hilarious charm and “bestie energy” (especially with his friendship with dance choreographer KANY). He’s also the type who, when he wants to do something, he’ll do it himself. When asked if he’d ever be interested in doing a music festival, he never really thought about it – though Uncanny Valley would be great to perform at a festival.

“I just want to make my own festival,” he says coyly. “If you guys don’t invite me, I’m gonna make my own festival. I’m going to wear this [armor outfit].”

He recalls asking his stylist to create his armored corset outfit for the concert, which is visually stunning but must be challenging to move in. He says amused, “I discussed with my stylist about that first outfit, and my stylist tried to kill me. I [was like], ‘I’m paying you, so make this.’ It finally worked. So I’m doing my own show in North America as a solo artist. I don’t think of this as a concert. This is a showcase as a solo artist in America. I’m visiting all the areas, doing radio shows, and some interviews. I want to say to America: Hey, I’m here. This is Key.”

Key’s kicks off his first North American concert, KEYLAND: Uncanny Valley, kicks on December 3 in Los Angeles at The Orpheum Theatre. For more details on his show or to buy tickets, click here.