Skyview High is back for a brand-new semester! The annual event, hosted by The Shops at Skyview, offered free, public activities that celebrated the richness of Asian culture. Throughout the summer, attendees could join summer school–themed classes centered around K-Pop music, Japanese fashion, Chinese dim sum, and more. Participants who’ve completed three classes and earned credits were invited to a special commencement ceremony featuring K-Pop star KANGDANIEL.
KANGDANIEL rose to fame as the first-place winner of the reality competition show Produce 101, earning him a spot in the project group Wanna One. After the group’s disbandment, he debuted as a solo artist in 2019. With his standout talent and charisma, KANGDANIEL has steadily built a dedicated global fanbase known as DANITY.
To match the school-themed festivities, fans arrived dressed in school uniforms for the commencement ceremony. The event began with lively performances by the Benjamin N. Cardozo High School dance team and AKF Dance Studio, both of which delivered dynamic dance covers of G-Dragon’s hit songs and the Skyview High theme song.
Soon, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived — KANGDANIEL took the stage as the event’s special guest. It had been two years since his last visit to New York during his First Parade World Tour, making his return an exciting moment for New York DANITY. During a Q&A session, he opened up about his latest EP, Glow to Haze, describing it as a reflective journey through both the bright and hazy chapters of his life. Fans showed their appreciation and love for his new music in return. He also announced his upcoming ACT: NEW EPISODE in USA Tour, with a stop in New Jersey on September 6. To top it all off, KANGDANIEL will be releasing a new single titled “No day,” giving fans something more to look forward to.
The next round of activities brought more excitement, featuring a solo performer and a dance crew who delivered energetic covers of KANGDANIEL’s songs. In the art session, fans had the opportunity to join KANGDANIEL in painting a portrait of DAM-YI, completing a large photomosaic of the artist. The final piece, created by art students from Francis Lewis High School, will be on display at Skyview Mall for the next three months.
While KANGDANIEL admitted that he’s not much of a cook, he took on the challenge of making sushi with guidance from a Japanese chef during the food session. Two lucky fans got to sample his handmade sushi, while another fan presented him with a specially prepared bento box.
The final session of the day featured a school uniform competition where several contestants showed off their best looks. The winner gifted KANGDANIEL a Sonny Angel, which they unboxed together on stage. Another standout contestant shared that KANGDANIEL had been one of his dance inspirations after watching him on Produce 101, motivating him to form his own dance team. His dream came true when he got to dance to “Movie Star” alongside the artist himself.
To wrap up the memorable day, KANGDANIEL posed for group photos with the crowd, promising a return for his upcoming show.
Special thanks to Skyview for hosting this event. Don’t miss your chance to see KANGDANIEL live in a city near you!