Kim Chang-wan Band, Lee Sun-hee, Boohwal: Legendary Voices Awaken Again

Musical "legends" who dominated Korean popular music from the 1970s through the 1990s are making consecutive comebacks. These artists, all with careers spanning more than 40 years, are presenting new songs that appeal not only to fans of their signature genres but also to the MZ generation. Kim Chang-wan Band, celebrating its 50th anniversary next year, is currently on a nationwide concert tour following the release of new single "Seventy" in January. "Seventy" is the band's first new song in 10 years since "Time" in 2016. The track begins quietly as folk, then expands into ballad and dreamlike progressive rock. It is an epic piece running 6 minutes and 10 seconds. The lyrics repeatedly reference "seventy years old." Kim Chang-wan said, "I was worried the song would be read only as 'an old man's regret,'" adding, "I wanted to emphasize how beautiful and precious this time we have together now is." He particularly noted, "The direction of music is love and peace," and emphasized, "They say band music is popular these days, but rock is more of an attitude than a genre." Rock band Boohwal has also resumed activities on its 40th anniversary, releasing "Where Is Here," the first part of its 14th studio album. It marks 14 years since the band's 13th album in 2012. The album contains 10 tracks including title song "Wind in the Sails," along with "Melting into Flowers," "Flower," and "Scenery." Notably, the album features the late Shin Hae-chul's reinterpretation of "In Heaven" from Boohwal's second album (1987). Shin recorded the track in 1996 for a Boohwal tribute album, but it was never released due to various circumstances. The members finally brought it to the world 30 years later. Formed in 1985 and debuting with its first album in 1986, Boohwal survived numerous lineup changes and ups and downs to become a "rock band legend" in Korea, where rock remained a non-mainstream genre. Breaking the prejudice that "rock music is rough and difficult," the band earned enormous love with consecutive hits featuring lyrical words and melodies, including "Hee-ya," "A Story of Rain and You," and "Never Ending Story." Lee Sun-hee, the "national vocalist" who debuted in 1984 with "To J" and earned great love with songs like "Ah! The Old Days," will release new album "Now I Can See Love" on the 15th of this month. Her agency Chorokbaem Entertainment said, "This new song captures emotions of empathy that transcend generations," adding, "It will deliver a calm yet deeply lingering impression to those living today." Notably, composer Park Geun-tae, who created Lee's hit "Meeting You Among Them," participated in this song. The track is expected to captivate audiences with Lee Sun-hee's distinctive deep emotion, interpretive skill, and overwhelming vocals. Byun Jin-sub released new song "Miss Kim Lilac" on the 7th, reuniting with composer Ha Kwang-hoon for the first time in 22 years. The new song captures sentiments fitting the lilac flower's meaning of "first love" and "memories of youth." Han Young-ae, who debuted with folk group Haebaragi in 1976, will also release single "SnowRain" and embark on a nationwide tour to celebrate her 50th debut anniversary. This new song comes four years after her 2022 single "Until I Come to Love Love." "SnowRain" was written and composed by Boohwal leader Kim Tae-won, who also performed the guitar solo himself.

Kim Chang-wan Band, Lee Sun-hee, Boohwal: Legendary Voices Awaken Again

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