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| ▲ South Korea's veteran K-pop singer Cho Yong-pil poses at the press showcase for his 20th full-length album, "20," held in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2024. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 4 (Yonhap) -- "Working with Cho Yong-pil was both the hardest and most meaningful experience of my career as a lyricist. He sought perfection in every single syllable," said lyricist Lim Seo-hyun, reflecting on the renowned artist's meticulous approach in music.
According to Lim, Cho's detailed process, from message and pronunciation to rhyme and rhythm, has garnered attention for the nuances in his new songs.
The legendary veteran singer has recently returned to the music scene with his 20th album, "20," after an 11-year hiatus. In the album’s title track, "It’s Okay," Cho's lyrics convey encouragement to those facing life's hardships with lines like, "Even if this path gets tough / Even if they say no / Now believe in yourself."
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| ▲ South Korea's veteran K-pop singer Cho Yong-pil poses at the press showcase for his 20th full-length album, "20," held in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2024. (Yonhap) |
Lim explained in a recent interview that Cho's dedication to each lyric detail served as a powerful reminder of the effort behind crafting quality music.
The female lyricist shared that the inspiration for "It’s Okay" came from observing the untold resilience of underdogs in sports. She noted, "When I first heard the song, I imagined a marathon—a long journey, like life itself. We wanted to comfort those who’ve endured difficult times, and Cho’s words about competition really resonated with that concept."
Cho’s commitment is also evident in the phonetic strength of his lyrics, adding impact with each emphatic sound. Lim highlighted how they carefully crafted lines such as "Lost your resolve!" to ensure a powerful resonance. "Cho emphasized the need for a strong phonetic expression where the melody peaks," Lim said.
This meticulous attention shines in the track "Timing," where Cho wanted a playful, rhythmic feel. The repetition of "Timing is everything" adds excitement while conveying a sense of anticipation and chance, matching the song’s theme of love's serendipity. Lim shared, "The way ‘Timing’ just rolls off the tongue made it perfect for the chorus, so I built the lyrics around it."
Reflecting on this experience, Lim expressed gratitude for working with a musician of Cho's stature. "Even my mother, who’s never commented on my work, congratulated me on this. It just goes to show the profound respect Cho Yong-pil commands," she laughed.
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