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SEOUL — Cho Yong-pil, the venerable singer whose illustrious career spans over half a century, defied age and captivated a jubilant crowd of 35,000 fans on Saturday evening at the Olympic Stadium in southern Seoul. With an unwavering charisma that still resonates deeply, the 73-year-old artist proved once again that age is but a number when it comes to delivering an unforgettable performance.
Affectionately referred to as "oppa" by his devoted fans, Cho Yong-pil celebrated his 55th anniversary in the music industry this year. Last month, he unveiled his latest EP, "Road to 20-Prelude 2," serving as a precursor to his forthcoming 20th full-length album, slated for release later in the year. The concert titled "2023 Cho Yong-pil & the Great Birth" was a testament to Cho's well-deserved moniker as the "king of pop."
From his soul-stirring vocals and masterful guitar skills to the overwhelming response from fans, the concert showcased an exuberant performance reminiscent of the grandeur associated with K-pop boy bands. In a gesture of appreciation, Cho generously provided LED light sticks to all attendees, which synchronized with the mesmerizing stage lighting.
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Throughout his remarkable career, Cho Yong-pil has enthralled audiences with an extensive repertoire spanning various genres, including trot music, pop, rock, hard rock, jazz, electronic, opera, and more recently, K-pop. Remarkably, he remains the sole artist to have achieved chart-topping success in every decade since the 1970s, a testament to his enduring influence on the Korean music scene.
During the concert, Cho delivered a resounding performance of 25 songs, encompassing timeless classics such as "Come Back to Busan Port" (1975), "Can't Find the Oriole" (1982), "Red Dragonfly" (1981), as well as contemporary hits like "Bounce" (2013) and his latest single, "Feeling Of You" (2023).
Acknowledging the challenge of crafting a setlist from his extensive discography, Cho humbly explained, "Whenever I hold concerts, some fans come up to me afterward and ask why I didn't sing their favorites. You have to understand my circumstances too." With his concert repertoire carefully curated for this occasion, Cho made a conscious effort to include songs he hadn't performed in some time, including heartfelt renditions of "Tragic" (1985), "Dear Friend" (1983), and the beloved "Come Back to Busan Port."
One standout moment was the performance of "Dear Friend," which served as a poignant finale during the 2018 "Spring is Coming" concert in Pyongyang, North Korea, when South Korean performers made history with their heartfelt melodies.
Notably, Cho also graced the stage with his seminal anthem, "Seoul, Seoul, Seoul" (1988), a composition he personally wrote and produced for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Reminiscing on the significance of the song, Cho revealed that it was first performed on the very same stage during the eve of the Olympics, amplifying the emotional resonance of the occasion.
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Blue YIM, yimyoungseo1010@naver.com
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