Legendary South Korean singer Cho Yong-pil swept the airwaves during the Chuseok holiday, uniting families with his timeless music.
KBS commemorated the 80th anniversary of Korea's liberation with a concert titled 'Cho Yong-pil, Forever This Moment' at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome on September 6. The broadcast of this concert on October 6 achieved peak ratings of 18.2% and a nationwide average of 15.7%. Following this, the behind-the-scenes documentary 'Memories of That Day' aired on October 8, garnering peak ratings of 9.1% and a nationwide average of 7.3%.
At 75 years old, Cho Yong-pil delivered a 180-minute performance without any guest appearances, captivating the audience with 28 songs. His band provided fresh arrangements that added new allure to familiar tunes, while the grand sound and detailed stage production mesmerized viewers.
Social media buzzed with positive reactions from various age groups following the broadcast. Notably, some from the 20s and 30s demographic expressed familiarity with many of the songs, despite not being born during Cho Yong-pil's peak years. This unexpected response highlighted his ability to bridge generations, allowing both parents and children to enjoy his music together.
This renewed interest is expected to boost ticket sales for his upcoming concerts. Starting December 13 in Busan, Cho Yong-pil will embark on the '2025-26 Cho Yong-pil & The Great Birth National Tour.' While some shows had available seats before the Chuseok broadcast, they have since seen a significant decrease. Some younger fans have even purchased tickets to attend the concerts with their parents.
Debuting in 1968, Cho Yong-pil has been a staple in the Korean music industry, with numerous hits like 'Short Hair,' 'Friend,' 'Monalisa,' and 'The Winter Tea House.' His concerts have consistently achieved remarkable success. Performing at the Gocheok Sky Dome, a venue typically reserved for top-tier idol groups with massive fanbases, Cho Yong-pil proved his enduring influence by filling the stadium solo, even in his 58th year in the industry.
Kim Ji-won, TenAsia Reporter one@tenasia.co.kr