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| ▲ This image of South Korea's veteran singer-songwriter Cho Yong-pil is provided by YPC. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Oct. 22 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's veteran singer-songwriter Cho Yong-pil is set to release his 20th studio album on the 22nd, marking his first full-length album in 11 years.
According to his agency YPC, the title track of the new album, , "20," is "It's Okay," a song of encouragement dedicated to everyone living in today's world. The music video features actors Park Geun-hyung, Jeon Mi-do, Esom, and Byun Yo-han.
Last month, Cho Yong-pil announced the album release through his official website, stating, "This 20th album, which I have prepared for a long time, could only be completed thanks to the unwavering love and support of my fans. I sincerely thank you and hope to share a deep connection and emotions with you through this music."
Cho Yong-pil first rose to stardom in 1976 with the hit song "Come Back to Busan Port," followed by his debut album in 1980, featuring hits like "The Woman Outside the Window" and "Short Hair," which became the first million-seller in Korean music history.
Since then, he has set numerous records, including being the first in Korea to sell over one million copies of a single album and surpass 10 million in cumulative album sales. He was also the first Korean artist to perform at Japan’s NHK Hall and on the Kohaku Uta Gassen, as well as the first to perform at prestigious venues like New York's Radio City Music Hall and Carnegie Hall.
Known for his perfectionism, Cho Yong-pil insists on near-flawless sound and live performances, often collaborating with his band, The Great Birth, during his concerts. Even last year, marking his 55th anniversary, he showcased his enduring popularity by holding a solo concert at Jamsil Olympic Stadium, a venue reserved for Korea's top stars.
Cho Yong-pil's last full-length album was Hello (2013), which saw the title track and the song "Bounce" become major hits. He topped music charts and won first place on a terrestrial music program for the first time in 23 years. In anticipation of his 20th album, Cho Yong-pil pre-released singles Road to 20 - Prelude 1 & 2 in November 2022 and April last year.
The album 20 will be available on streaming platforms starting at 6 p.m. today, while the physical CD will be released on November 1st. To celebrate the album’s release, Cho Yong-pil will hold the "20th Album Release Commemoration Cho Yong-pil & The Great Birth Concert" at Seoul's KSPO Dome on November 23-24 and November 30-December 1.
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