by Cho Yong-pil is back. On the 18th at 6 pm, they released the single ‘Road to 20-Prelude 1’, which contains two songs, ‘In an instant and ‘Like the Serengeti.’ This is the first time he has released a single.
This single is a prelude to Cho Yong-Pil’s 20th album, which is scheduled to be released at the end of next year. In the first half of next year, a mini album (EP) containing parts of the 20th album will be released. And at the end of the year, the regular 20th album will be removed. If this plan goes as planned, a traditional album will be released ten years after the regular 19th album ‘Hello’ in 2013. It’s like the 10th anniversary of ‘Hello,’ and considering that, the album’s release date was set for next year.
The songs released this time are in pop or rock style, and the rock style ‘Momentary’ is particularly eye-catching. Rock, as many say, is the music of youth. Rock festivals have also established themselves as festivals for the youth of this era. But surprisingly, rock is non-mainstream music. In the United States, rock is a popular genre to the extent that big stars are called rock stars, but not in Korea.
It is also surprising that Cho Yong-Pil returns to young musicians, but even more surprising that he chose non-mainstream music. This is where you can feel his spirit of challenge in music.
It was like that in the 80s and 90s too. He was in a prime position and was very busy at the time. He needed more time and the need for musical challenges. However, he continued to challenge himself and even stood on the stage of a rock festival with indie bands.
In Korea, senior singers usually do something like a dinner show with hits from the past. Therefore, it is hard to find other than Na Hoon-ah when releasing a new album. Na Hoon-a’s activity is also a shocking case, in which case she is still familiar with and based on the famous trot. However, Cho Yong-Pil is not only working on a new album but also making an unpopular attempt at a music genre.
In 2013, it was a shock when they released ‘Hello’ and ‘Bounce.’ Since then, more than ten years have passed, and I am in my 70s. Life expectancy has been extended these days, so people in their 60s are not old, but people in their 70s are often considered elders. However, if you listen to this song without prior information, it would not be easy to imagine that it is a new song by an older singer in his 70s.
All parts are unique, such as the spirit of the musical challenge, the attitude to endlessly breathe with the times, and the body management that does not lose youthful voice. Musically, he is already a singer, and this attitude of life that he shows with his whole body can also be said to be the image of a singer.
This image shown by the great senior will become an example to many juniors. So, if many children follow in the footsteps of Cho Yong-Pil, it will eventually lead to the development of the Korean music industry.
This single is just a prelude. A mini-album and full-length album will appear next year. What other songs will there be? It is a blessing of K-pop that such an elder exists.
