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| ▲This photo, provided by Cho Yong-pil's 50th committee, shows Cho Yong-pil. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by Cho Yong-pil's 50th committee, shows Cho Yong-pil. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
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| ▲This photo, provided by YPC, shows Cho Yong-pil. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov.19 (Yonhap) — When "Moment" and "Like Serengeti” by Cho Yong-pil, a living legend of the Korean pop scene, were unveiled on Friday at 6 p.m., compliments flooded in and out of the music industry.
Bringing younger and drastic music after his 19th full-length album, "Hello," in 2013, whether he will reenact ‘Bounce’ sensation once again is high profile.
◇ The choice of 'King of Singer' is sophisticated pop rock
Two of his new songs, “Moment” and “Like Serengeti” are both sophisticated pop rock genres.
“Moment” depicts the fateful moment when “My” heart subtly changes because of “You.”
The King of Singer threw off the weight in which his name Cho Yong-pil has and presented exciting 4 minutes and 7 seconds of rock music.
In lines like I used to be known for not being funny/ Boring remarks/ Laugh nonsensically, the typical image of Cho Yong-pil, wearing sunglasses and concentrating on music with all his soul, overlaps, bringing laughter to audiences.
He doubled the concentration of the song by using melody rap right before the chorus, Shining you, disorganized me/ It's a fantastic flow.
“Like the Serengeti” is a song that Cho Yong-pil wrote based on his visit to Serengeti in 1999 with the invitation of the Tanzanian government. Amazement he must have felt in the endless, overwhelming plains is conveyed in it.
Cho Yong-pil comforts the listeners by saying, Wide world like the Serengeti/ throw away your dreams/ Run for it, encouraging audiences to not forget their dreams with big hearts like Plains.
If “Moment” delicately described the change of mind like a miniature painting, “Like the Serengeti|” contrasted with the mood like of a full-shot Mother Nature documentary.
◇ K-pop world "Music that still has a sense of impact... Young people in their 10s and 20s who listen to New Jeans will also like it"
When Cho Yong-pil's new song was released, music critics all paid attention to how trendy it is.
Popular music critic Lim Jin-mo said, “The new song wields a powerful punch like the roar of a young rocker,” adding, “Rock sound and lyrics all focus on the younger generation who reacts to rock, not on his generation. It’s truly a young sound.”
He added, “His voice is young and strong unlike a voice in his 70s,” adding, “It’s a marvelous vocal.”
Popular music critic Jung Min-jae said, “Both songs are very trendy,” adding, “‘Moment’ has parts that are catchy and the chorus is fresh, which even the younger generation can enjoy. Even the teaser was unusual.”
He added, "Both songs were written by foreign composers, and they match well with the current sense of music, and Cho Yong-pil sang them so good,” adding, “‘Bounce’ and ‘Hello’ may not be familiar to people in their 10s and 20 since they were released nine years ago, but this can be a good song that can reach young people who listen to New Jeans' music.”
Popular music critic Kim Do-heon said, "I was surprised to see that he still actively holds the reins of creation," adding, "The music still has a 'sense of impact' and the way he uses the melody is outstanding. While it is written from an adult's perspective, the song is also friendly, not sounding like a song by an old or difficult singer.
Critics also agreed that his music has progressed since 'Hello' in 2013.
Popular music critic Kim Hyun-sik pointed out that, “While ‘Hello’ felt a lot like a regular song, but this song changed to the point where I wonder if he considered expanding it overseas,” adding, “It also feels like idol music."
Critic Jung Min-jae said, "I think it's music that goes one step further than 'Hello' and 'Bounce' because the youthful sense and the charms of Cho Yong-pil harmonize well.”
Critic Kim Do-heon said, "It is meaningful that he still does rock music on this huge scale. Even if it was said to have been by the latest pop singer or rock band, it will be believable which means that Cho Yong-pil listens to songs a lot regularly and always works hard.”
He also said, "No need to distinguish between rock and pop genres, the music world of Cho Yong-pil expanded further after 'Bounce.’”
The music industry also show interest in the direction of two new songs.
On the “Latest Release Chart,” a chart for new songs within 4 weeks of release on Melon, “Moment” came in 47th and 'Like Serengeti' ranked 63rd as of 8:00 pm on the same day. It was promoted without appearing on TV or without music videos and not even common viral marketing.
Critic Kim Heon-sik predicted that "Cho Yong-pil's songs will be popular among all generations since it has advantages of consuming and sharing music through social media.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
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