GQ Digital Cover: Mikah’s Endless Pursuit of Paradise: A Perfectionist’s Emotional Canvas

Speaking with Mikah feels like stepping through a door, where every word invites you further into his world. His voice carries a natural warmth, drawing you in as he passionately and openly shares about his journey. Despite an unimaginably hectic schedule, Mikah remains grounded, insightful, and calm. For him, life isn’t just about reaching the destination, but about embracing every step of the journey and staying open to the limitless possibilities ahead.

Mikah’s music career began at the age of 16 when he was scouted by a record label and debuted in Tokyo as a member of the group INTERSECTION. In 2021, he competed in the Chinese reality competition show CHUANG 2021 (Produce Camp 2021), where he subsequently became a part of the Chinese project boy group INTO1. After the group disbanded, Mikah shifted his focus to solo projects, releasing two albums, bleached漂 and PRETTY LIES, showcasing his unique musical style. With his sharp features, defined jawline, and signature blonde buzz cut, Mikah’s striking presence is unmistakable. Beneath it all lies a soul deeply devoted to creation. His latest album, PRETTY LIES, offers raw, unfiltered emotion, creating a striking contrast with the deceptive beauty implied by its title. Fresh off a tour and brimming with inspiration, Mikah is already deeply immersed in his next project. For him, music is more than just a profession: it’s a fundamental need, a way to process emotions, and a source of healing.

Growing up in Hawaii, Mikah was profoundly shaped by the natural beauty that surrounded him—the boundless ocean, the rhythmic ebb and flow of the waves, and the island’s tranquil energy. These elements instilled in him a sense of calm and creativity that continues to influence his work today. Like a pearl forming slowly in the depths of the ocean, Mikah’s talent and artistry have been honed over time, waiting to shine. Now, with the world at his feet, he’s ready to captivate the world with his brilliance.

Growing up in Hawaii, did you feel a connection to the ocean? And how would you describe your relationship with nature?

I was partially a city boy, always drawn to the idea of living in the city. But because I was very outgoing, adventurous, and spontaneous, I did a lot of things outside. Hawaii is the kind of place where you can really only do things outside. I’d always find myself at the beach surfing, in the mountains hiking, camping, or just doing random stuff with friends. But sometimes, I’d watch the sunset or wake up early to catch the sunrise, and I’d feel this serene bliss. I’d think to myself, “It’s crazy I lived here and grew up here.”

There were many moments when I connected deeply with nature as a young child. Now that I’ve been living in the city for so long, it feels really weird, and it makes me seek nature. Whenever I have the chance to be around nature, it makes me feel incredibly restored and calm. 

One of your latest songs is Chasing Paradise. What is your idea of paradise?

My vision of “paradise” changes constantly throughout different stages of my life and career. When I wrote this song, I thought about that question, but I realised I didn’t really have a definite answer. During the promotion of the album, I was often asked similar questions, and I always said that I didn’t want to tie paradise to a specific image. I didn’t want to expect anything or set myself up for disappointment. 

So, every time I think of “paradise,” I associate it with the feeling of happiness. I just want to be happy, in whatever form that takes. That’s the only thing I’m certain about when it comes to paradise or perfection at the end of the day. I don’t want to confine myself to a specific vision or a goal that I must achieve in the future. I just hope to have a future where I’m surrounded by love and friends, and I feel happy.

There is a line in the lyrics that goes: “If I’d go back in time, I’d enjoy the ride.” Is the journey or the destination more important to you, or both?

That’s a good question. Since writing that line, I’ve come to realise that the journey is definitely the most important part. I used to always focus on the destination. Even now. Maybe it’s because of my upbringing or societal influence, but it feels like so many people work toward a goal, and in the end, the destination becomes the sole focus. I don’t like that approach, and it also changed the way I thought about life. Now, I’m certain that the journey and the process in life are what truly matter. Since realising this, I’ve been trying to value every interaction I have, cherish the people around me, remind myself not to take anything for granted, and slow down. 

How would you say you have evolved over the years since you first stepped into the limelight? 

I think I’ve changed a lot. I’m not sure if it’s because I’m maturing as I get older, or if it’s due to the environment and industry I’m in, but I’ve become much more serious and a bit quieter. I used to be very laid-back and enjoyed the spontaneity of life. Now, I take everything very seriously, whether it’s my career or life in general. This change has really affected my personality, and I’ve realised I don’t like it. When I started meeting up with old friends that I had before coming to China, I noticed that my interactions with them were different. They would also tell me, “Wow, you’ve changed”. That made me reflect and realise they were right. Now, I’m trying to reconnect with who I used to be and understand why I changed so much. I’m also trying to be more social again because my work is so serious that it’s caused me to lose that sociable part of myself. So I’m just trying to live normally, and I’m slowly getting there.

What is your idea of a GQ gentleman?

I think confidence ties together a person’s style, vibe, and aura. When you’re confident in your own taste, it naturally shines through. So, confidence is key. You also need to know your own standards and beliefs. That self-awareness is what truly defines a gentleman, and it’s reflected in how you present yourself.

So what’s been making you feel confident lately?

After coming back from Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago, I developed a new habit that’s quite unusual for me: going to bed early and waking up early. Due to my job, I’m accustomed to staying up extremely late, sometimes until 3 or even 5 a.m., which leaves me feeling sluggish throughout the day. I get into this routine of waking up later and later, and I wanted to break that cycle. So, I found a CrossFit trainer and I wake up at 7 a.m. every morning to train with him, no matter how late I went to bed the night before. The workouts are tough, but they wake me up and make me feel great. This routine has not only improved my energy but also my singing. By waking up early and exercising, I also wake up my body and my throat, so when I record or sing later in the day, I’m warmed up. 

How was your GQ digital cover shoot experience? How did you feel during the process?

I really enjoyed this shoot. I’ve done a lot of magazine shoots, but working with teams from different parts of the world always feels fresh and exciting. I love seeing new approaches to styling outfits or creative shooting techniques. The team was young and diverse. The shoot felt very spontaneous—they’d suddenly suggest shooting in front of a random wall or standing on a sofa—and it was crazy because everyone had such a great sense of style and direction. 

It was really funny because the team wanted to use my white boots, which I’ve had for five years and wear almost every day. My fans always joke about those boots. They always ask me why I wear those boots and even “celebrated” when the boots broke once, but I had them repaired and kept wearing them. The stylist actually suggested I could wear those boots as they matched my outfit, and I was super tempted to do it. But in the end, I decided to go with the boots prepared by the stylist instead. It was really funny because he really liked my boots and wanted me to wear it, and I feel like nobody ever does that. 

What songs have you been listening to lately?

Recently, I discovered a musical artist named Alé Araya. I came across her music two days ago, and I’ve been playing it on repeat every day since. Her music inspired me so much. For the past week or two, I hadn’t even opened my music app because I felt like there wasn’t anything new or exciting to listen to. I was feeling kind of stuck as a music lover. Then I stumbled upon her music, and I started listening to a lot of music regularly again. Her style blends so many different elements, and every song feels like a fusion of genres. While working on my own project, her music provided me with a great deal of inspiration. Some of my favourite songs by her are Rivers, Earth Angel, Endless Sky, Midnight Gospel, Treetops, and a Spanish track called Con Razón.

Another artist I’ve always said I liked is Alina Baraz. Her voice, tonality, and overall style really influenced my style. Alé Araya’s tone reminds me a little of Alina Baraz, but her production is incredibly modern and feels very “right now.” I think she’s going to be huge in the future because her music is crazy.

What inspires your music?

My music is inspired by the thoughts that dwell in my mind and the things I’ve held back about. I feel like, most of the time, the songs I write are about sadness or things I don’t necessarily get the opportunity to talk to people about. So I end up writing about it, and creating music is like therapy for me.

Chasing Paradise and the concept of that EP revolve around things I often thought about in 2023 and 2024. That was the beginning of my solo career, the start of me actually accomplishing what I wanted to do. But at the same time, I felt like I hadn’t accomplished anything. The project I’m currently working on is also inspired by the emotional side of me and reflects the thoughts that constantly run through the back of my mind every day.

Instead of making ballads, you often use upbeat rhythms to express the emotional aspect of your music. How do you combine the melody and lyrics in your creative process?

Some days I go into the studio with a clear idea in mind, and other days, I start with a blank slate to see what comes out. For example, Miss You, a song from my EP, came out of nowhere. Earlier that day, I had been working on another song for a couple of hours but wasn’t happy with how it turned out. Not wanting to waste the day, I asked someone to play a simple tune on a Rhodes keyboard—something reminiscent of the style of Galimatias, an artist I like. He played a sound that clicked immediately. I pulled out my phone and started humming on it, and the song ended up being what I hummed during the first two takes. These are the songs that I end up liking the most. The melody for Miss You came really fast, but the production took about a month to refine because I had such a clear vision for it.

On the other hand, Chasing Paradise came from a more structured concept. It was the final recording session of my trip, and I had been reflecting on the idea of “paradise” and “perfection” that I’d been chasing since I was young. I realised that I had achieved what I once dreamed of, but it wasn’t what I had imagined. I shared this idea with the team, and we started experimenting with different chords. The song began with a slow melody, but most of the songs I recorded during that trip were slow. So I added an upbeat hook as a contrast to the beginning of the song and the lyrics. 
Overall, my creative process varies. I try not to pressure myself by setting rigid goals, as that can be counterproductive. Sometimes, I go in with a blank mind, as I did during a recent trip to Los Angeles, where I unexpectedly discovered the theme for my next project in the process of producing music. A new song I worked on brought out emotions I hadn’t fully acknowledged in my heart, and in the sessions that followed, I explored those feelings further and figured out exactly what I was hurting about. Travelling, especially on planes, often gives me time to reflect on how to make my music more relatable and cohesive. This year, I hope to create music that will strike a fresh chord with everyone. 

Do you consider yourself a perfectionist of sorts when it comes to your craft?

Yeah, I think I’m very OCD. I feel like I’m a perfectionist with a lot of things, which I don’t like. I think that if I were extremely talented, born with all the skills in the world, I wouldn’t care. But because I’m not, I notice every single flaw, and it really bothers me. I always feel the need to redo things over and over again. When it comes to my stage performances, recordings, visual direction, basically everything I do, I have a super clear standard and image in mind. I’m confident that this year, I’ll be able to produce meaningful and powerful works, delivering them to you with my best performance yet. Please stay tuned!

Photographer: Kei Yamada
Editorial Director: Jumius Wong
Creative & Fashion Direction: Shun Watanabe 
Creative Producer: Marina Fairfax
Stylist: Kurato
Production Manager: Nanami Tashiro
Casting Director: Second Li
Makeup and Hair Stylist: Narumi Nishihara
Set Designer: Yuusuke Ishii
Interview & Text : Kaitlyn Lai, Sing Lei
All jewellery from Mikimoto