Baek Ji-young: 'Life's Graph Once Fluctuated Wildly... I'll Be on Stage As Long as I Can Stand'

▲ This image, provided by TRI-US Entertainment, shows K-pop diva Baek Ji-young. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Dec. 2 (Yonhap) -- "If I have the strength to stand, I want to keep performing on stage until I reach the age of legends like Im Jae-bum, Patti Kim, or Na Hoon-a."

Celebrating her 25th anniversary since debuting, Baek Ji-young reflected on her evolving outlook, saying, "I used to think I'd quit when my hair turned gray and it became too much to try, but I've changed my mind." Her journey, marked by Latin dance hits, a career slump, and a resurgence as a ballad queen, gives her words extra weight.

In a recent interview in Seoul's Gangnam district commemorating her new album Ordinary Grace, Baek shared, "Having worked for 25 years and lived nearly 50, raising a child and weathering life's ups and downs, I've come to see my life's graph differently. What once seemed tumultuous now feels more gentle as the scale of life has expanded."

She added, "Even the biggest damages or dramatic influences in my life didn't completely overturn it. Raising my child has especially taught me to value the present over the past or future."

▲ This image, provided by TRI-US Entertainment, shows K-pop diva Baek Ji-young. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Baek Ji-young rose to fame in the late '90s and early 2000s with Latin dance hits like "Choice," "Dash," and "Sad Salsa," cementing her status as a solo dance diva. 

After a period of hiatus and challenges, she made a stunning comeback in 2006 with the ballad "Won’t Love Again," followed by chart-toppers like "Like Being Shot By a Bullet" and "Don’t Forget." Her duet with 2PM's Taecyeon on the dance track "My Ear's Candy" in 2009 reaffirmed her versatility.

"I've been fortunate to have a resilient personality," Baek said. "I quickly let go of the bad and seek out the good, joyful, and peaceful moments. That’s what sustained me for 25 years."

As one of the few female solo artists to achieve top success in both dance and ballad genres, Baek modestly attributed her success to luck. "I originally intended to debut as a ballad singer, but back then, artists like Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin were hugely popular. I couldn't dance well, but I ended up debuting with the Latin track Choice. That was the turning point, allowing me to explore both genres."

▲ This image, provided by TRI-US Entertainment, shows K-pop diva Baek Ji-young. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Baek's new mini-album, Ordinary Grace, reflects her positive and steadfast outlook on life, focusing on the beauty of life's small, ordinary moments. The album features five tracks, including the title song "That’s Right ," "Fly"—a collaboration with her mentee Yoo Sung-eun from The Voice Korea—and other songs like "Deep Slumber" and "Hidden Light."

Baek described the album as "an unfamiliar yet tender project" that showcases a shift in her music. "In the past, I sang about sorrow and pain, but these songs convey a sense of composure and maturity, embracing life with acceptance."

The title track, That’s Right, was co-written by Kangta, a member of the legendary group H.O.T. Baek only learned of his involvement after the song was chosen as the title track. The music video was directed by Lee Eung-bok, a famed drama director behind hits like Descendants of the Sun and Goblin. Baek revealed that Lee's first-ever music video direction was thanks to her actor husband, Jung Suk-won, who introduced them.

In That’s Right, Baek conveys the bittersweet acceptance of a breakup, singing each note with sincerity. "'Eventually, the end,' is a lyric that resonated deeply with me," she said. "The song's message aligns with my personal journey—having experienced so much over 25 years, I feel like I’ve met this song at just the right moment."

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved