SEOUL: South Korean music legend Cho Yong-pil proves that age is not a barrier to pursuing a career in music. The 74-year-old singer made a monumental return Tuesday with the release of his 20th full-length album, aptly titled “20,” marking his first studio album in 11 years.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Cho expressed the challenges of releasing new music at his age during a press conference in Seoul. “Releasing new songs at over 70 is challenging, but I worked really, really hard,” he said, acknowledging the possibility that “20” might be his last album. However, he also left the door open for future projects, stating, “I’ll release new music again if there’s a good one.”
Addressing the crowded press event, Cho shared his discomfort with press conferences, preferring the concert stage where he finds happiness. He described feeling nervous while waiting backstage, but noted that his nervousness dissipates once he begins performing.
The album “20” showcases Cho’s exploration of various musical genres, i
ncluding rock, electronica, and ballads. It features seven tracks, with the lead single’s Korean title translating to “That’s Alright,” along with “Timing” and “Why,” all three written by foreign composers. The remaining tracks-“Moment,” “Like Serengeti,” “Feeling of You,” and “La”-were previously released as singles in 2022 and 2023.
The release of “20” was initially planned for last year but was delayed by about a year. Cho attributed the delay to his busy concert schedule and the meticulous process of creating an album that met his standards. “It has to satisfy me,” he explained, recounting how he often scrapped songs after reviewing them, resulting in hundreds of discarded compositions.