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Taeyong, the multifaceted leader of the K-pop juggernaut NCT, released his highly anticipated first full-length solo album, “WYLD,” Monday. Marking his return from a two-year hiatus that included mandatory military service, the 10-track project represents a stark artistic evolution as Taeyong took complete creative control, serving as both chief lyricist and sole producer. Hours before the global release, the 30-year-old discussed the psychological and musical shifts that defined his transition from a meticulously trained idol to a self-determined producer. Q: Your first studio album arrives after a two-year hiatus. What was the internal baseline as you approached this milestone? A: It is a mix of anticipation and genuine excitement. I spent the last two years looking back at my previous work, studying where I had been and identifying where I needed to evolve. I approached this project with a singular focus: to demonstrate measurable artistic growth. My hope is that when people listen, it triggers something primal — that it awakens their own musical instincts. Q: The album title swaps