When the name “Daniel” trends on X Philippines or any global social media platform, it usually evokes thoughts of “Deej” or Daniel Padilla from the recently disbanded KathNiel love team.
However, Daniel” mysteriously trended on the X platform, formerly Twitter, on December 28, surpassing 144,000 reposts.
Contrary to expectations, this trend has nothing to do with post-KathNiel “Daniel” or “Deej”; it actually revolves around a South Korean trainee who mysteriously disappeared from the limelight a few years back.
Daniel Kim (다니엘), a South Korean-American trainee under Pledis Entertainment, gained recognition for participating in the reality survival show I-LAND.
The unexpected resurgence of Daniel’s name on X, formerly Twitter, prompted the Daily Netizen to investigate further.
Despite being a trainee, Daniel Kim has managed to captivate fans across Asia, particularly in the Philippines, a hotbed for K-pop enthusiasts.
New pictures of Daniel, an ex-I-LAND contestant and known Pledis trainee, surfaced on a Kakaotalk chatroom under the nickname “2024,” leading fans to speculate about a potential debut.
While fans express excitement about Daniel’s possible comeback, some cautious voices, like X user @tfswu, urge restraint, emphasizing that these developments are still speculative.
“This is just a rumor we’re not sure if he’s making his debut and if it will be with TWS this is just speculations!! the pictures are real tho :),” X user @tfswu posted.
The uncertainty surrounding Daniel’s future adds to the intrigue, with fans eagerly sharing screenshots of Daniel under the username “2024” in a Kakaotalk chatroom.
The images depict an evolved Daniel, resembling the figure who captivated fans in 2020. One photo shows half of his face covered with the collar of his knitted sweatshirt, accompanied by a greeting that reads “Luv y’all.”
Daniel first entered the spotlight as a participant in CJ ENM and Big Hit Entertainment’s survival show I-LAND on June 1, 2020.
Although he made it to the final 12, he did not secure a spot in the ultimate group.
The recent online appearance of Daniel has fueled speculations worldwide that he might debut in the upcoming year, 2024.
Excitement reverberates among K-pop fans on X, with some changing their profile pictures to an iconic image of Daniel with half of his face covered by his knitted collar.
Fans express their elation, stating that they have eagerly awaited a “Daniel update.”
“DANIEL UPDATE WE CHEERED,” posted an excited fan on X.
“IVE LIVED LONG ENOUGH FOR A DANIEL UPDATE FINALLY OMFG,” another fan happily posted.
As for Daniel’s absence from the limelight, some fans attribute it to his limited social media footprint, a departure from the norm for many trainees.
Koreaboo notes that it has been a while since Daniel was last spotted.
After his elimination from I-LAND, rumors circulated that he left Belift Lab and joined Pledis Entertainment. Clips posted by fellow classmates show Daniel attending classes at Hanlim Arts School.
In the context of South Korean entertainment, trainees undergo rigorous training in singing, dancing, acting, and language skills, preparing for a potential debut as part of a K-pop group.
The process is competitive and challenging, with not all trainees making it to debut. Some may leave the training process for various reasons, while others continue training before debuting or pursuing alternative career paths within the entertainment industry.
The Daily Netizen 