Get to Know ALL’N, the Multi-Talented Artist on the Rise
- Kaitlin Kim
- 18 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Written and Interviewd by Kaitlin Kim Photo Cr. ALL'N
| ALL’N looks toward bigger dreams with “We Up” as he prepares to make his mark in the industry
ALL’N, also known as Sam Kang, has proven himself to be a versatile artist with a sound and style uniquely his own. Debuting with his single, “We Up,” on April 15, he began carving out his own space in the music scene while introducing listeners to his distinct musical identity. ALL’N showcases his versatility through his ability to rap, sing, and dance, bringing a well-rounded energy to his performances. His background as a violinist also adds another layer to his artistry, allowing him to bring a classical foundation to his approach to music and to draw from different musical influences. With his ability to move between different forms of performances with ease, ALL’N continues to show that he is an artist with plenty of room to grow and explore.
For those who may not be familiar with you yet, could you introduce yourself?
I'm ALL'N, a Korean American violin-driven K-pop solo artist and the founder and CEO of SKS Entertainment. I grew up between multiple countries and cultures, trained as a classical violinist from a young age, and eventually fell in love with K-pop because it combines music, performance, storytelling, and visual art. Today my goal is to build music that inspires people to dream bigger, work harder, and stay true to themselves while proving that independent artists can compete on the biggest stages.
As someone balancing both the creative and business sides of your career, what inspired you to pursue both a solo artist career and open your own company, SKS?
I've always wanted creative freedom. Starting my own company wasn't about becoming a CEO. It was about creating an environment where the vision comes first. Building SKS lets me make long-term decisions for my music, my fans, and future artists while understanding every part of the business behind the scenes.
Having grown up across the United States, China, Africa, and Korea, you’ve experienced many different cultures and environments from a young age. How do you think those experiences shaped your perspective on music and identity today?
Living in different countries taught me to appreciate different ways of thinking. Every culture influenced how I communicate, perform, and create. Rather than fitting into one box, I learned to combine those experiences into music that feels global while still respecting K-pop's identity.
YouTube ALL'N (올린)
You made your debut this April with the single “We Up,” introducing listeners to your sound and artistic identity for the first time. When starting the project, did you already have a clear vision for what you wanted your debut to represent and sound like, and how close did the final release come to that original idea?
Yes. I wanted 'We Up' to introduce optimism, ambition, and perseverance. The final version stayed very close to that original vision while evolving through production, choreography, and performance experience. It became a statement about believing in yourself before anyone else does.
One of the most striking aspects of your debut was how naturally you blended your background as a classically trained violinist with modern pop, hip-pop, and rap influences in “We Up,” creating a sound that feels rare in K-pop. What drew you to combining those styles, and how do you think that fusion reflects your artistic identity?
The violin has always been my voice. Instead of treating it as a gimmick, I wanted it to become part of modern K-pop production. Mixing classical melodies with hip-hop, pop, and rap creates a sound that feels familiar but still uniquely mine.
As you continue building your identity as an artist, when listeners hear your music, what’s one thing you hope they immediately recognize as uniquely “ALL’N,” and how do you hope your sound continues to evolve moving forward?
I hope they recognize authenticity, cinematic violin melodies, and messages that encourage people to chase ambitious dreams. I want every release to feel uplifting while continuing to explore new sounds without losing that identity.
Balancing both the creative and business sides of your career is something not many artists experience, especially this early on. As an independent artist building your own company, SKS, while also establishing your career at the same time, what have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?
Time. Every day I'm switching between producing music, planning releases, negotiating partnerships, managing budgets, and creating content. The challenge is making sure the business supports the art instead of replacing it.
Have you experienced a moment so far where you thought, “I made it”? If not, what do you think it would look or feel like for you?
Not yet. I've had moments that reminded me I'm moving in the right direction, like debuting on Korean music broadcasts and meeting artists I've admired. But for me, 'making it' means building something that lasts and positively impacts fans around the world.
YouTube KBS WORLD TV
You’ve become well known for sharing stories and moments from your life across social media platforms, including the viral elevator moment with the members of TOMORROW x TOGETHER. You also talked about how the idols you’ve worked with all had their own unique “aura.” If someone met you for the first time, what kind of aura do you think you give off – and do you think that differs between ALL’N as an artist and yourself as a person?
I think people see confidence and ambition. Off stage I'm much more analytical and constantly thinking about improving. ALL'N amplifies my confidence, but the core values—hard work, humility, and gratitude—are the same.
Lastly, as someone creating your own path independently, do you have any advice for others pursuing their own creative path, whether as an artist or in another field?
Don't wait for permission. Prepare relentlessly, keep learning, and focus on becoming so valuable that opportunities naturally follow. Progress usually comes from consistency rather than overnight success.
And to close things out, is there a final message you’d like to share with N’CORE?
Thank you for believing in me from the very beginning. Every stream, comment, message, and word of encouragement means more than you know. We're only getting started, and I can't wait to keep growing together. Let's continue dreaming higher together.
YouTube ALL'N (올린)
With his recent single “Dream Higher,” ALL’N continues to show just how much he has to offer as an artist. The new release marks another step forward in his ever-growing career, giving listeners another glimpse into his evolving sound. Already teasing new music ahead, ALL’N has made it clear that he is not slowing down anytime soon and that there is plenty more to come, leaving fans excited to see what he has in store next.
ALL'N
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