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| ▲ Jeon In-kwon of the band Deulgukhwa practices at a rehearsal studio in Mapo Ward, Seoul, on Sept. 12, 2025, ahead of the group’s 40th anniversary concert. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 12 (Yonhap) – “I’ve gone through many trials over the past 40 years. When I faced hardships, naturally the members of Deulgukhwa suffered with me. But while I may have been frostbitten, frost never settled on Deulgukhwa’s music.”
At a restaurant in Seoul’s Mapo Ward on Thursday, 71-year-old Jeon In-kwon of the legendary rock band Deulgukhwa said this as he lifted a spoonful of naengmyeon. Having just finished two hours of rehearsal for an upcoming concert, he looked drained, as if he had poured out all his strength.
He pulled a carton of milk from his bag, poured it into a cup instead of water, and drank slowly before continuing his meal. He said sipping nutrient-rich milk is one of his own ways of keeping healthy.
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| ▲ Members of the Jeon In-kwon Band pose for photos at a rehearsal studio in Mapo Ward, Seoul, on Sept. 12, 2025, before an interview with Yonhap News Agency. (Yonhap) |
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Deulgukhwa’s debut album, which topped the list of “100 Greatest Korean Albums.” To celebrate, Jeon is preparing for a commemorative concert titled “Deulgukhwa Jeon In-kwon 40th Anniversary Concert – The Last Resonance,” set for Sept. 20–21 at Yonsei University’s main auditorium in Seoul.
Deulgukhwa made its sensational debut in 1985 with its first LP, rewriting the history of Korean pop music by turning every track — including “Haengjin,” “That’s My World,” “With You Every Day” and “Train to the World” — into a hit. Formed by Jeon (vocals), Choi Sung-won (bass), Heo Seong-uk (keyboard), Cho Deok-hwan (guitar) and Joo Chan-kwon (who joined formally from the second album), the group thrived on live performances and opened a golden era for Korean rock in the 1980s. As frontman, Jeon also produced solo hits such as “After Love” and “Round and Round.”
“Forty years is an incredibly long time,” Jeon reflected, “and three of our members (Joo Chan-kwon, Cho Deok-hwan, Heo Seong-uk) have already passed away. But Deulgukhwa never gave up.”
He continued, “Once you reach the peak of a mountain, the only way is down. But those who give up at that point are truly finished. The title ‘Last Resonance’ means that every ending is also another beginning.”
“Even now, I still have so much to practice. I’m 72 by Korean age, but I love music that much. As long as I live, I’ll be on stage,” he said.
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| ▲ Jeon In-kwon of the band Deulgukhwa practices at a rehearsal studio in Mapo Ward, Seoul, on Sept. 12, 2025, ahead of the group’s 40th anniversary concert. (Yonhap) |
Wearing his trademark black sunglasses and long silver hair, Jeon spoke slowly, his words brimming with pride in Deulgukhwa and love for music.
“Deulgukhwa changed the landscape of Korean music,” he said. “Before us, performances were mostly ‘recitals,’ but we shifted the scene to concerts. Back then, people said Deulgukhwa’s music was as sophisticated as foreign songs, but with Korean lyrics they could understand. That was the highest praise.”
The vitality of Jeon’s music has endured far beyond the 1980s. The 1985 track “With You Every Day” enjoyed renewed popularity in 2015 when it was featured in the TV drama “Reply 1988.” Another song, “Haengjin,” became an anthem in democratization rallies of the 1980s, while Jeon’s solo track “Don’t Worry My Dear” was sung at the Gwanghwamun candlelight protests of 2016–2017.
He recalled fans such as the late actor Lee Sun-kyun, actress Uhm Jung-hwa and film director Kwak Kyung-taek, saying: “Deulgukhwa’s music is timeless. I personally love ‘Please.’ The songs are human and pure, so anyone could relate to them.”
Yet Jeon’s career has been marked by breaks caused by the band’s dissolution and his own personal troubles. After their third album “Uri” (1995), Deulgukhwa reunited in 2012, only to halt again after drummer Joo Chan-kwon’s sudden death in 2013, leaving behind one final self-titled album.
“I regret not being more consistent in my music career,” Jeon admitted. “But at some point, I felt as if I had married music itself. I just love music so deeply.”
He often found solace by listening to music near vast seas like Manripo and cited his extensive LP collection as his true musical teacher.
“I learned from my 3,000 LPs,” he said. “If I had to name someone, it would be Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. His vocals are unmatched.”
When told his own singing — raw yet resonant — is also unique, Jeon simply shrugged: “Oh, really? I don’t know.”
As for the secret to his longevity, he said: “At any moment, just love music. If you love it, you’ll fall into it — that’s what happened to me.”
At his anniversary concert, Jeon will take the stage with the Jeon In-kwon Band, including Shin Seok-chul (drums), Kim Jeong-uk (bass), Cho Seung-yeon (keyboard), Lee Seo-jong (acoustic guitar) and Jeong Hyun-cheol (electric guitar). In addition to classic hits, they will premiere two new songs: “Congratulations,” carrying the message “You are strong and precious,” and “My Mother Goes to the Market,” a tribute to his late mother.
Asked if “Congratulations” could also be heard as a cheer for Deulgukhwa’s 40th anniversary, Jeon replied simply: “Yes.”
“Successful pop music,” he concluded, “is when I tell my story, and others like it too. For people to embrace my story — that’s what makes popular music such a beautiful art form.”
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