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| ▲This photo shows Yoonha. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Nov. 3 (Yonhap) -- "It was amusing and also weird. I kept checking back on the chart because it seemed unreal. I felt proud and great every time I looked."
Singer Yoonha said at an interview with Yonhap News Agency on Monday that "It has helped with my musical journey."
She is excited because title song "Event horizon" of her six full-length repackage album "END THEORY : Final Edition" released last March climbed back up the chart.
The unique lyrics of comparing break-up to "Event horizon" which indicates a certain point of Black hole where not even a light can come out received favorable attention, allowing out-of-chart song to gain attention.
The ranking rose sharply as her powerful vocal was also spotlighted during universities' fall festivals. The song ultimately topped on Genie and placed second on Melon, firmly climbing up the charts despite the returns of girl groups.
Normally, placing No.1 on music charts cannot be achieved without at least a huge fandom or the public's preference, so this success is a precious achievement for her in 18 years of debut (based on Japan).
Yoonha said, "I received a lot of congratulations from my family and friends," and "I was most happy when fans told me, 'Didn't I tell you that Yoonha is a worthy stock 15 years ago?'"
Yoonha showed off her skills as a singer-songwriter by participating in the lyrics and composition of most of the songs on this repackage album including "Event Horizon."
Love and parting are forever classic themes of the music industry, but the way she interpreted them with "Universe" stands out. Most titles of the songs in the 6th album are astronomical themes, such as "Oort Cloud" (a group of celestial bodies surrounding the outer solar system), "c/2022YH," "Stardust," and "Black Hole." Did she read 'Cosmos' by the famous astronomer Carl Sagan.
"Universe is subject I particularly like. I was impressed by 'Le Papillon des etoiles' by Bernard Werber. I wanted to express whole new planet that is different form Earth, which is the novel's last scene of arriving at a new planet. I was mesmerized with the obsession to draw something new.
Artist said, "I like looking at stars because universe is always my idol," adding, "Although I did read 'Cosmos,' I haven't finished it because there were difficult parts. But I did read it until it became hand-stained."
The imagination that connected universe with the END THEORY was also outstanding. In the current days when it is difficult to find lyrics using beautiful Korean lyrics, the song "Event Horizon" compares parting using lyrics such as the place of the missing star / Asurai white light / You will be able to see it for a while.
The singer looked back, saying, "I had a very lonely time during COVID-19 period, and it was a situation where I had no choice but to focus on work."
She continued, "In the early days when there was not enough information about the virus, didn't everyone think at least once that they could die from it," adding, "The album began with the thought that 'what if my family and I leave, what if it's my last.'"
She released her 6th album but decided to release a repackage album wanting to show more. She left to Jeju to write more songs in last Jan., thinking it is shame to only include songs that did not make the sixth album to the repackage album.
"While driving the Seogwipo in Jeju island, I saw sunset. People stopped their ways to watch the sunset. I thought missing what has already passed is same for everyone. This allowed the lyrics of 'Event Horizon' came out smoothly in just three days."
Yoonha said, "I wondered what it would mean if there were an end," adding, "In the end, the song deals with 'Why do people live' but I still don't have answer to it. I began writing thinking about where my existence stands and I felt like my curiosity was slowly resolving as I write."
Perhaps that is why listening to her album feels like listening to a wise man's question and answer.
"The conclusion I have come to is cherish the things around me and live happily. I hope my song cheers someone who is living a 'war-like life.'"
Yoonha comforts the listener with lyrics 'Let's break the shell of Beyond the Road' in the song "Ort Cloud," just like the expression "Cheering Song."
She added tap dance rhythm in the middle of the song to add the message "If you can't avoid it, enjoy it."
"c/2022YH," in which the melody unfolds like a sprint, reminds of Younha's past songs like "Comet" and "Password 486."
"That feeling is right. 'Salbyeol' means 'comet' in Korean. I wanted to make 2022 version of 'Comet.' I wanted to sing a cheering song showing that I am always running in circle, and if you look back, I will be there."
In her rookie days, she actively worked in the mid-2000s, traveling between Korea and Japan. Her image on TV was confident without no hesitation even at a young age of 10. But she shook her head, saying that wasn't always the case.
Yoonha said, "At that time, I was more of indie singer fighting for survival," adding, "I had no colleges to help or give advice. So I had no other choice but to consciously show that 'I can do it.'"
She then said, "Now that I have my company, colleges, and Lee Seok-hoon, I am very relaxed."
"I acted like I was strong at that time. When I won trophy with 'Password 486', I said 'thank you' and came down the stage happily but cried in the backstage. Producer joked around saying 'Why are you crying now when it looks better when you cry live.'"
Yoonha after an unforgettable year is busy preparing for the year-end concert. When "Event Horizon" became very popular that tickets were sold out early, fans commented that she rented the place not knowing her popularity.
She said, "'Event Horizon' received a lot of love, but I will not settle here and go on a musical adventure," adding, "Please wait for me as I will make songs of various styles like comet orbiting."
"Singer 'Yoonha' will always be here, so I hope to become a friend-like musician who you meet from time to time while you enjoy your life. I hope my song is your life's background music."
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Jiwon Woo.)
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