Cho Yong-pil: The Unstoppable K-pop Legend Returns with 20th Album
(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with Cho's news conference; RECASTS headline; ADDS photos)
SEOUL, Oct. 22 -- South Korean music icon Cho Yong-pil shows that age is no limit when it comes to his passion for music. At the age of 74, he proudly launched his 20th full-length album, titled "20," on Tuesday, making it his first studio album in 11 years.
"Creating new music at over 70 is tough, but I dedicated a lot of hard work to this project," he stated during a press conference held in Seoul to promote the new album. Although he hinted that "20" could be his final album, he remained open to the idea of making more music if inspiration strikes, saying, "I'll release new music again if a good opportunity arises."
During the press conference, Cho shared his thoughts about the public appearance: "I find these press events a bit awkward. I would rather perform in front of an audience, which gives me joy. I do feel nervous before going on stage, but once I’m out there, it all goes away."
Musical Diversity in "20"
In his newest work, Cho explores a wide range of music styles, such as rock, electronica, and ballads. The album consists of seven tracks, including the lead single, which has a Korean title that translates to "That's Alright." Two other new songs, "Timing" and "Why," were also included, all penned by foreign composers. Additionally, four more tracks were previously released as singles in 2022 and 2023.
The release of this album was delayed for about a year from its original schedule. Explaining the delay, Cho remarked, "I have been busy with concerts, but producing an album doesn’t come easily. I strive for perfection. Many times I would write a song, but then reconsider it the next day, thinking it wasn’t good enough, leading me to create something entirely new. I’ve probably ended up scrapping hundreds of songs this way."
Anthem for Modern Times
"That's Alright" serves as an uplifting anthem for those facing the complexities of life today. The track is characterized by its guitar-driven sound and Cho’s distinctive vocal quality. Coinciding with the album's digital release, the music video for the song was launched, featuring a star-studded lineup of Korean actors, including Park Geun-hyeong, Jeon Mi-do, Lee Som, and Byun Yo-han.
Introducing the lead track, Cho shared an interesting backstory: "Last spring, I was watching a sports match on television and noticed how the camera always focused on the winning team, never showing the losers. This made me think about how the losers must feel—disappointed, but perhaps also determined to do better next time. I wanted to convey that mentality through the lyrics." This inspiration was translated into lyrics by Lim Seo-hyun.
A Legendary Career
Cho made his debut in 1968 with the rock group Atkins. After spending a decade performing with various bands, including the Kim Trio, he launched his successful solo career in 1976 with the hit song "Come Back to Busan Port." His first full-length album, released in 1980, had hit tracks such as "A Girl Outside the Window" and "Short Hair Girl," making it the first in K-pop history to sell over a million copies.
Throughout his illustrious career, Cho has consistently remained a prominent figure in the music industry. He has released 19 studio albums filled with timeless hits like "Candle Light," "Dream," and "Leopard of Kilimanjaro," earning him numerous accolades and setting significant records. He was the first artist in Korea to achieve a million-selling album and total album sales exceeding 10 million copies.
The last full-length album he released was "Hello," his 19th, in 2013. The tracks from that album, including "Bounce" and "Hello," made significant waves in the music scene and even outperformed younger stars like Psy, known for "Gangnam Style."
“I was fortunate,” he humbly remarked when reflecting on the achievement of the album "Hello."
Despite the rainy weather, numerous fans gathered outside the venue of the press event, holding up banners to support their cherished artist.
The physical version of the "20" album is set to release on November 1. Following this release, Cho will perform concerts in Seoul on November 23-24 and again on November 30-December 1.
Kpop, Album, ChoYongpil, Music