Nam Woo-hyun, 10th Solo Anniversary 2nd Full Album ‘2X8’ with 16 Songs... Three-Day Concert in November
Infinite member and solo singer Nam Woo-hyun is releasing his second full-length album, ‘2X8’, to celebrate his 10th anniversary since his solo debut. Following the album release, he will hold a three-day anniversary concert titled ‘Arbor DayVI - EVER GREEN’ at the KBS Arena in Seoul from November 6 to 8.
Infinite member and solo singer Nam Woo-hyun has released his 2nd full album ‘2X8’ to mark his 10th anniversary since his solo debut, capturing the music he has made over the past 10 years and the songs he will present in the future in one album. The new album, released at 6 PM on the 14th, contains a total of 16 songs, including the title track ‘DEVIL’. Nam Woo-hyun participated in the songwriting and composing of all the tracks and also contributed to the arrangements. It contains various genres such as ballad, dance, rock, and R&B, and the album production took approximately one year.
In an interview held at a cafe in Gangnam District, Seoul, on the 13th, Nam Woo-hyun looked back on the past 10 years, saying, "I think I lived very intensely and worked very hard." There were times when his weight dropped to 54 kg after being diagnosed with GIST, a rare cancer, and undergoing surgery in 2023, followed by intestinal obstruction. He described that period as feeling like he was being "unfairly targeted" and said, "I endured it well. I bit my lip and endured it." Following the new album release, he will hold the solo debut 10th anniversary commemorative concert ‘Arbor DayVI - EVER GREEN’ at the KBS Arena in Seoul from November 6 to 8.
| Category | Content |
|---|---|
| Solo Debut | 2016 |
| Album Tracks | 16 songs |
| Commemorative Concert | 3 days |
A 2nd Full Album Filled with 10 Years of Music in 16 Songs
The album title ‘2X8’ contains Nam Woo-hyun's birthday, his solo activities, and the time of Infinite. Nam Woo-hyun's birthday is February 8, and adding 2 and 8 equals the 10th anniversary of his solo debut, while multiplying them results in 16. 16 is the duration of Infinite's activities, which mark their 16th anniversary this year, and also the number of tracks in this album. According to his agency, the album will be released through music platforms at 6 PM on the 14th. This is his second full-length album released 10 years after taking his first step with the 1st solo mini album ‘Write..’ in 2016.
Nam Woo-hyun explained that he gathered the music he has made over the past 10 years into this album. In his previous work, he attempted various genres from ballads to dance and rock, and he also included songs of various genres in the new album. The 10th track, ‘The Tenth Page’, is a song for the fans who have been with him through his 10 years of solo activities, and the 14th track, ‘Boys and Girls’, features the voices of the Infinite members. ‘EVERYDAY’, which was a hidden track on a previous album, and the final song ‘Tree’ are also included.
The title track ‘DEVIL’ is an uptempo song that combines a pop-rock sound with a fast dance beat. Nam Woo-hyun stated that he included the theme of good and evil in the song. He said, "Doesn't everyone have good and evil? Evil is also oneself, and good is also oneself. I hope people don't get too shaken by such aspects and live according to their own convictions. I hope they love themselves a little more." He also participated in the performance and helped create the choreography for the chorus. He explained in the interview that he expressed the feeling of being constricted and the movement of a snake through the choreography.
Intestinal Obstruction after GIST Surgery... Weight dropped to 54 kg
Nam Woo-hyun was diagnosed with GIST, a rare cancer, and underwent surgery in 2023. GIST is a rare disease caused by mutations in the Ca jarl cells in the muscular layer of the gastrointestinal wall. After the surgery, he also suffered from intestinal obstruction. In the interview, Nam Woo-hyun said, "My health was bad so I had surgery, and that felt like being 'unfairly targeted' in my life. After that surgery, intestinal obstruction came, and it was so hard. I just couldn't eat anything, so I became 54 kg." He shared that it was so difficult that he experienced hair loss and there were periods when he could not eat properly.
He explained the difficult period in connection with his music work. He said that ‘It's Cruel’, included in his previous work ‘Tree Ring’, was a song made based on the experiences at that time. Nam Woo-hyun explained, "It was a song saying, 'Please don't target me unfairly'." He also said that after enduring the hard times with sheer grit, that emotion led to ‘DEVIL’ in this album. He said, "Because I endured with grit, those evils seem to have come out as 'DEVIL'."
Currently, he is continuing with exercise and diet management. Nam Woo-hyun stated that he exercises about five times a week and goes running more than three times a week. He said he avoids binge eating and late-night snacks and manages his diet. He said, "I am really working hard to manage my body." Looking back on his activities over the past 10 years, he said there were times of loneliness, solitude, and hard days, but he was able to make this 2nd full album by enduring and holding on. He explained in a related interview that among the album tracks, ‘DEVIL’ contains the emotions he held during the hard times, and ‘Tree’ contains his intention to offer comfort.
First Three-Day Performance at KBS Arena from November 6–8
Nam Woo-hyun will hold the brand concert ‘Arbor DayVI - EVER GREEN’ at the KBS Arena in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, from November 6 to 8. ‘Arbor Day’, which started in 2018, is a concert containing the meaning that it would be good to plant a tree in the hearts of fans before leaving. This is the first time he is holding a solo concert for three consecutive days. He previously performed at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park and said he contemplated moving to a larger venue as the previous performance was sold out for two days. This time, he decided to meet fans for three days to coincide with his 10th anniversary after difficultly arranging the venue schedule.
After the concert, he will also proceed with schedules for Busan, Daegu, and an Asia tour. In the interview, Nam Woo-hyun stated, "To be fitting for the 10th anniversary, I want to meet fans for three days in a somewhat abundant way, so I am touring Busan, Daegu, and Asia." He said he set the goal of holding a solo concert as a solo singer and has achieved it. He named holding a solo performance at the KSPO DOME located in the Jamsil area of Seoul as his next goal. He said, "I have a dream (to hold a solo performance). Someday! I will try my best so that I can go there. I will work hard."
Regarding the performance of the new album, he said he expects better results than his previous album, but regardless of the results, he will continue his activities. 'Tree Ring', released in July 2025, had the highest first-week sales among the albums Nam Woo-hyun has released. He expressed hope that this album would also surpass that record, but it also sounded as though he hopes many people will recognize his music and message. "I poured my soul into it, so I would be grateful if many people listen to it," he said. He added that if the concert sells out, "If it sells out, I will make sure to play festive music!"
Continuing Infinite activities and solo work
Nam Woo-hyun debuted with Infinite in 2010 and has engaged in both group and solo activities. He said the love of fans has been a great strength for Infinite to continue their activities. He explained that providing comfort to fans through performances and music is what a singer should do. Regarding activities with the members, he said, "There is even more synergy when we are together, and since we are family now, it is so joyful to be with the members. I am happy when we meet." He stated that while he likes working alone, he also enjoys being with the members, and revealed that Infinite activities are also being prepared.
The Infinite members participated in 'Boys and Girls' from this album. Nam Woo-hyun said in a related interview that he captured the voices of the members who have been with him for a long time in the album, and he even imagined the scene of singing this song together with fans at the concert venue. 'The Tenth Page' is a song dedicated to the fans who have been with him during his solo activities. The final track 'Tree' is a song connected to Nam Woo-hyun's name, containing the wish for listeners to lean on it and find comfort when they are exhausted. He stated that he wants to showcase music that could not be included in the album in the future.
He said he has continued to attempt everything from composing and writing lyrics to performing. "I think my conviction is to not be ashamed anywhere," he said, revealing that even when he lacked confidence in dancing, he worked hard to present performances on stage. In this album, he also participated in songwriting, composing, arranging, and choreography work.
After releasing his 2nd full album '2X8' on the 14th, Nam Woo-hyun will hold a concert commemorating his 10th solo debut anniversary from November 6 to 8 at the Seoul KBS Arena. He is scheduled to meet fans in Busan, Daegu, and on an Asia tour. He stated that he will continue to work on and showcase music that could not be included in this album, and that he will continue his activities toward the goal of holding solo concerts in larger venues.
Covers K-pop for SPECIALTIMES GLOBAL, and also writes Culture and K-Variety stories.
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