# Young K (영케이)
Young K (영케이), whose [Korean name](https://www.edgepedia.org/korean-name) is Kang Young-hyun (강영현), is a South Korean singer, bassist, and songwriter associated with the band DAY6. He debuted with the group in 2015 and subsequently released solo recordings, beginning with the EP *Eternal* in 2021.[1](https://www.donggukmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=80336) • [2](https://day6.jype.com/Default/DiscographyView?AamSeq=49)
## Career with DAY6
Young K became a [JYP Entertainment](https://www.edgepedia.org/jyp-entertainment) trainee in 2010 and was selected for DAY6, which debuted with *The Day* in 2015. [Dongguk University](https://www.edgepedia.org/dongguk-university)'s media outlet identifies him as a business administration student from its 2012 entering class and describes his work in vocals, rap, bass, and songwriting.[3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/young-k-mn0002327327) • [1](https://www.donggukmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=80336)
His songwriting contributions include DAY6 songs such as “Congratulations,” “예뻤어,” “한 페이지가 될 수 있게,” and “Zombie.” Alongside his work for the band, he has written for other performers. A 2023 interview in the *Korea JoongAng Daily* highlighted his contribution to H1-KEY's “Rose Blossom,” released that January, and reported that he had more than 160 copyrighted songs to his name as of August 2023.[2](https://day6.jype.com/Default/DiscographyView?AamSeq=49) • [4](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/entertainment/interview-young-k-brings-an-emotion-for-every-occasion-in-first-full-length-album/10652858)
## Solo recordings
Young K launched his solo recording career with *Eternal*, released on September 6, 2021. JYP's announcement listed seven tracks, including “끝까지 안아 줄게” and “Microphone,” featuring Dvwn.[2](https://day6.jype.com/Default/DiscographyView?AamSeq=49)
His first solo studio album, *Letters with notes*, followed in September 2023. It was his first new music after completing military service that April. The *Korea JoongAng Daily* reported that he had served in the Korean Augmentation to the [United States Army](https://www.edgepedia.org/united-states-army), or KATUSA. In an interview with *Muve*, he described military service as a period of recharging; the magazine characterized the album as spanning pop rock, R&B, and ballads.[4](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/entertainment/interview-young-k-brings-an-emotion-for-every-occasion-in-first-full-length-album/10652858) • [5](https://www.magazinemuve.com/interview/%EC%98%81%EC%BC%80%EC%9D%B4Young-K-%EC%9D%B8%ED%84%B0%EB%B7%B0)
The second studio album, *YOUNGEST*, followed in 2026. Its advance announcement identified “Shut The Door” as the title track and credited Young K with participation in writing and composing all 15 tracks. AllMusic reports that *Eternal*, *Letters with notes*, and *Youngest* each reached the top ten of the Korean album chart, with *Youngest* entering at number two.[6](https://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/512632) • [3](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/young-k-mn0002327327)
## Songwriting
Young K's career combines performance within a band with writing for his own recordings and other artists. The university profile treats his songwriting as a recurring part of DAY6's album credits, while the 2023 interview connects that work to his growing outside catalog. These parallel roles continued into the extensively self-written *YOUNGEST*.[1](https://www.donggukmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=80336) • [4](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/entertainment/interview-young-k-brings-an-emotion-for-every-occasion-in-first-full-length-album/10652858) • [6](https://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/512632)
## References
1. ["아름다운 청춘의 한 페이지가 되길" — 동국대학교 대학미디어센터 인터뷰](https://www.donggukmedia.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=80336)
2. [DAY6 : Discography — Eternal (JYP Entertainment official)](https://day6.jype.com/Default/DiscographyView?AamSeq=49)
3. [Young K — Biography, Discography, Albums & Expert Reviews | AllMusic](https://www.allmusic.com/artist/young-k-mn0002327327)
4. [[INTERVIEW] Young K brings an emotion for every occasion in first full-length album](https://www.koreajoongangdaily.com/entertainment/interview-young-k-brings-an-emotion-for-every-occasion-in-first-full-length-album/10652858)
5. [영케이(Young K) 인터뷰 — MUVE INTERVIEW](https://www.magazinemuve.com/interview/%EC%98%81%EC%BC%80%EC%9D%B4Young-K-%EC%9D%B8%ED%84%B0%EB%B7%B0)
6. [영케이, 2년 10개월 만에 솔로 컴백…타이틀곡은 'Shut The Door'](https://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/512632)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Music › Music scenes › East and Southeast Asian pop scenes › K-pop and the Korean popular music scene › Artists, groups, and people: K-pop and the Korean popular music scene › Project groups, units, idol bands, solo idols, localized, and virtual groups*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 19, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Sep 19, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license