Arzen Rose Dulzura

Japanese indie artist Rol3rt releases a reimagined version of his hit, ‘(how could i be) honest?’

Article (news)

Push Team

<p>Japanese Indie singer-songwriter Rol3ert releases a reimagined version of his breakout hit, “(how could i be) honest?” with DAUL featuring THAMA.</p><p>Rol3ert (pronounced “Robert”) is a 20-year-old Japanese singer-songwriter whose music combines globally influenced production with the melodic style of J-pop. His work is characterized by emotional sincerity and a cinematic sound, often resonating with listeners exploring themes of loneliness and self-discovery.</p><p>DAUL is a Korean producer and DJ under the label SEL. He is known for his hit singles, “In Touch.” THAMA is a South Korean singer-songwriter known for his work in R&amp;B and hip-hop, active since 2014. DAUL’s production introduces a more electronic and textured soundscape, while THAMA’s vocals add a distinct R&amp;B layer that reshapes the track’s emotional delivery.</p><p>Originally released in December 2025, “(how could i be) honest?” gained international traction, landing on Spotify editorial playlists across 18 countries. The track also performed strongly in Asia, appearing on viral charts in Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, while receiving radio airplay on Singapore’s 987FM and reaching No. 5 on the country’s Shazam charts.</p><p>On Spotify, the song surpassed 500,000 streams within its first month, marking it as Rol3ert’s fastest-growing release to date. Along with his other tracks, including “savior,” the song has also gained traction through user-generated content, contributing to its growing reach among younger audiences in the region.</p><p>A newly released version of the track reinterprets the original rather than presenting a conventional remix. It features Korean lyrics and vocals from THAMA, alongside electronic production by DAUL. While maintaining the emotional tone of the original, the updated version introduces a different sonic approach, blending elements of Japanese and Korean pop within a broader global sound.</p><p>Accompanying the release is a music video shot in Korea featuring Rol3ert and THAMA, which captures the emotional tone of the collaboration through intimate, cinematic scenes and understated urban visuals.</p><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-8" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DWywG6Kk72g/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=768&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A8%2C%22os%22%3A4252057.500000007%2C%22ls%22%3A167566.80000000447%2C%22le%22%3A167763.3999999985%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="847" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-8" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><p>With this collaboration, Rol3ert continues to expand his reach beyond Japan, positioning himself within a wider Asian and global pop landscape.</p><p>Stream the music video of &quot;(how could i be) honest?&quot; reimagined version on YouTube.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe width="913" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/B8YkS4_MsmY" title="(how could i be)honest?-DAUL MIX(feat.THAMA)-" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><br/></div><div><em>—by Jhezierae Alcantara, PUSH ABS-CBN Intern</em></div>

<p>Japanese Indie Artist Rol3rt reworks his hit song with a new collaboration.</p>

Japanese Indie Artist Rol3rt reworks his hit song with a new collaboration.