Day6’s Wonpil Releases New Solo EP ‘Unpiltered’ After 4 Years, Reflecting Inner Struggles

Day6’s 31-year-old vocalist Wonpil has released his new solo EP, ‘Unpiltered,’ four years after his 2022 album ‘Pilmography.’ Comprising seven tracks, this album moves away from Day6’s previously established image as a group known for upbeat youth anthems to present a more experimental and darker musical palette.

The album title, ‘Unpiltered,’ is a combination of ‘unfiltered’ and the singer’s own name, signaling his intention to deliver stories in their most honest form. The lead track, “Highs and Lows,” features a dark sound that reflects the harsh aftermath of a failed romantic relationship. Wonpil said, “As I got older, I realized I couldn’t create the same kind of music as before.” The album also includes tracks such as “Toxic Love,” “Up All Night,” and “Step by Step,” all of which explore various internal emotions.

Wonpil revealed that he went through deep internal struggles during the production process. He said he held back his tears until he was physically exhausted while filming the album’s concept video and music videos, and recalled encountering his own habit of smiling automatically. However, he explained that this album wasn’t inspired by a specific event but rather represents an intensified form of inner struggle that many listeners can relate to.

A key aspect of this project was reuniting with his producer after eight years. Wonpil collaborated again with JYP’s in-house producer Lee Woo-min, also known asCollapsedone, and said, “I felt an excellent chemistry from our first meeting.” Lee Woo-min is the composer behind Day6’s debut tracks such as “Congratulations,” “You Were Beautiful,” and “Somehow.” On ‘Unpiltered,’ he co-wrote a total of three tracks, including the lead track “Highs and Lows.” Wonpil drew musical inspiration from rhythmic pop artists like OneRepublic, aiming to bring to life sounds he had only imagined before.

As Day6 celebrated its 10th anniversary as a band, Wonpil said he fell into deep contemplation. The internal question of whether to maintain their image as a group known for upbeat songs or approach listeners with a different musical style determined the artistic direction of ‘Unpiltered.’ The other members of Day6 responded positively to this choice. Bassist Young K and drummer D.O. strongly supported “Highs and Lows” as the lead track option, while guitarist Sungjin praised Wonpil for stepping outside his usual musical style.