Cho Yong-pil’s Passion Moves Viewers: 'Dying on Stage Is My Dream'

▲ This photo of veteran singer Cho Yong-pil, 75, is provided by KBS. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Oct. 10 (Yonhap) -- “Dying on stage — that’s my dream. How happy would I be to die while singing? That’s what I live for.”

Veteran singer Cho Yong-pil, 75, once again proved his unmatched dedication to the stage, living up to his title as “the king of singers.”

The artist, who has united generations with timeless hits, left a deep impression as he spoke of his undying passion for music.

The KBS special “Cho Yong-pil: Forever This Moment,” broadcast on Oct. 6 to mark the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, has resonated strongly with viewers and recorded high ratings.

The program featured Cho’s concert held last month at Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome — his first KBS appearance in 28 years since the 1997 “Big Show.”

Opening with “Unknown World,” Cho performed 28 songs over 150 minutes, including “Can’t Find the Nightingale,” “Short Hair,” “Dragonfly,” “Come Back to Busan Port,” and “It’s Okay,” in front of 18,000 fans. He also presented a special collaboration with the KBS Symphony Orchestra on “Sad Beatrice.”

With familiar classics filling the setlist, viewers of all ages were captivated. 

According to Nielsen Korea, the main broadcast recorded a nationwide rating of 15.7 percent, ranking first among all terrestrial, cable, and comprehensive channels on Chuseok Day. The rating peaked at 18.2 percent during his performance of “It’s Okay.”

The behind-the-scenes documentary aired on Oct. 8 drew a 7.3 percent rating, while a special re-edited version that followed recorded 7.0 percent. The special included an unreleased performance of “My Friend” with the KBS Symphony Orchestra. A prequel episode aired on Oct. 3 achieved 3.2 percent.

KBS’ viewer board was flooded with praise such as “Three hours felt like three minutes,” “Our whole family got pulled into the TV,” “We sang together and had a joyful time,” and “It was an unbelievably moving performance.”

Beyond the nostalgic setlist, Cho’s unrelenting commitment to perfecting his craft struck a chord with viewers.

In an interview, he said, “I felt there wouldn’t be many more chances to meet everyone like this. I wanted to perform while my voice still holds up.”

The documentary also showed Cho facing challenges such as tinnitus and dry mouth during rehearsals. Even when his voice faltered, he took a sip of water and resumed practice with determination.

Cho credited his longevity to relentless training. “If you don’t sing, your voice ages,” he said. “So I build it up solidly. I practice really hard before every show. Music is the only thing I’ve ever known.”

Admiration poured in from fellow artists. Singers Lee Seung-gi and actress Go So-young were spotted waving light sticks at the concert. 

Shin Seung-hun said, “He gives me confidence that I can do the same at his age.”

IU remarked, “He’s a one-of-a-kind artist loved by every generation.”

Jannabi’s Choi Jung-hoon added, “Someone may inherit the title of ‘king of singers,’ but Cho Yong-pil will remain a greater ‘emperor.’”

Receiving heartfelt support from peers and fans alike, Cho promised to continue performing.

“I’ll keep singing,” he said. “If I can’t, I’ll rest for a couple of years and come back. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll rest another few years and return again.”

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