Cho Yong-pil, a living legend of the Korean pop scene, is ready to greet fans once again with his new album, "20." This marks his first full-length album in 11 years, since the critically acclaimed "Hello" (2013).

Released at 6 p.m. Tuesday, the new album features tracks from his previous releases, "Road to 20 - Prelude 1" and "Road to 20 - Prelude 2" in 2022, and several other new songs.


The album consists of a total of seven tracks, led by a track with a Korean title roughly translated as "It’ll Be Okay," according to his agency YPC Company. The lead track is a modern rock song characterized by its electric guitars and evocative lyrics. Following the lead are “Moment,” “Timing,” “Like Serengeti,” “Why,” “Feeling of You” and “La.”

Cho’s agency describes the new album as "a crucial benchmark for his musical legacy. As the 'king of music,' this album aims to showcase his vast experience and adventurous spirit."

Cho demonstrated his unwavering efforts and challenging spirit without reservation.

“I must keep learning. I’m studying various genres and researching vocal techniques. I try out the things I see other singers do and find it incredibly fun,” Cho said during a press conference at Blue Square Hall in Yongsan District, central Seoul on Tuesday.

“Since music is about expressing my feelings, it’s important to convey them to the public. I’m constantly researching in more detail.”

Despite being in the industry for over five decades, Cho never stops striving for perfection.

“I have never been satisfied with my music throughout my entire music career,” Cho said.

"There were many songs I created that I didn't like the next day. That's why my comebacks were delayed, and I was working on completing songs until the first week of October, but one song couldn't make it into the album."

"Many people think this album is going to be my last one but while I consider it my last full-length album, I might release an EP next," he said, hinting at his future plans.

Regarding the lead track’s lyrics "It’ll be okay” and "It's okay to be late," Cho said, "I worked on the album thinking about how a baseball player who doesn't get the spotlight must feel."

When asked which phase of his life he'd like to revisit, Cho said, "There was a time when I refused to appear on television programs because I felt conflicted about doing anything other than singing. Even when I held concerts during that period, attendance was low due to a lack of promotion. I wish I could go back and tell myself, 'It’ll be okay.'"

Regarding one of the tracks, "Why," Cho said, "I've never practiced as hard for a song as I did for this one. I focused a lot on my singing technique, falsetto and the song's delivery, practicing for several months."

"I haven't decided yet whether I'll sing this song at my upcoming concert, but if I do, it will be an amazing performance."

Cho will kick off a concert series at the KSPO Dome at Olympic Park in southern Seoul to celebrate the release of his full-length album. The first leg runs for two days, from Nov. 23 to 24, and the second from Nov. 30 through Dec. 1.

Cho debuted as a member of the rock band Atkins in 1968. After working for a decade in several bands, including the Kim Trio, he debuted as a solo artist with the hit single "Come Back to Busan Port" in 1976.

He rose to stardom through his first full-length album with hit tracks, such as "A Girl Outside the Window" and "Short Hair," which sold a million copies for the first time in K-pop history in 1980.

He has maintained his supremacy over his decadeslong career, releasing 19 studio albums with famous tracks, like "Candlelight," (1980) "Dream" (1991) and "Leopard of Kilimanjaro," (1985) among many others, while sweeping up awards and setting numerous records in the music scene.



BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [yoon.seungjin@joongang.co.kr]