Byun Jin-seop was the top celebrity earner in the past.
Byun Jin-seop was the top celebrity earner in the past.
Byun Jin-seop tells the story behind the birth of ‘Hope’.

In 'Now, This Moment', which airs on tvN STORY at 8:20 pm on the 11th, Byun Jin-seop, Korea's representative ballad singer and Korea's first official million-seller, appears as the 6th 'Living Legend' and sings the famous song that dominated the music industry in the 1980s. Share the hidden story in On this day, along with special guest Kwak Jin-eon, Byun Jae-jun, the second son of Byun Jin-seop, who is Korea's first male artistic swimmer and a musical actor, appears, showing off the warm father-son chemistry.

On the way to meet Byun Jin-seop, Yoon Jong-shin praises him, saying, “This brother is a great brother.” Accordingly, Baek Ji-young said, "This is the song I sang the most in my adolescence," and Kim Min-seok said, "I also did a lot of remakes," and each of them heads to Byun Jin-seop's house, recalling memories related to Byun Jin-seop.

Byun Jin-seop's newly moved home in Gangnam, which will be revealed for the first time on this day, is a huge newly built villa surrounded by mountains and boasts tight security, surprising everyone. When the neat interior, luxurious furniture, and even the duplex, a secret space with a twist, were revealed, Jjinchin Yoon Jong-shin showed off his witty remarks, saying, "I knew there would be soju in the house." In addition, Byun Jin-seop's trophy exhibition hall was also revealed, displaying the trophy of the day when he was the first in Korea to win both the Rookie of the Year Award and the Grand Prize, as well as numerous awards he received for his representative song 'Hope', giving an idea of his hot popularity at the time. In addition, Byun Jae-jun, the second son of Byun Jin-seop, who possesses idol-level visual beauty, appears and brings laughter with the chemistry between a real-life father and son, while also passionately singing Byun Jin-seop's 'Laura' and bringing a happy smile to those watching.
Byun Jin-seop was the top celebrity earner in the past.
Byun Jin-seop was the top celebrity earner in the past.
For a full-fledged, moment-to-moment journey, he visited Byun Jin-seop's university alma mater and reminisced about the moments when he was devoted solely to music, from the time he worked as a vocalist in the club band 'Talmud' to the time he walked around the music cafe 'Cherbourg' in Myeong-dong. However, Byun Jin-seop, who received high expectations from his family for his excellent grades in school, said that he had a conflict with his father, who was opposed to his musical activities. In the end, he confesses that the solo album he made to give up music actually changed Byun Jin-seop's life completely. This is the debut album containing the song 'Being Alone', which recorded the first million-seller. Not only did he show off the spirit of winning both the Rookie of the Year Award and the Grand Prize at the same time as soon as he debuted, but he also conveyed the vivid moment when he became the emperor of ballads, even surpassing Lee Moon-se's record due to his explosive popularity at the time.

The behind-the-scenes story of how Byun Jin-seop's representative song 'Hope' was created is also broadcast. A female student came to Byun Jin-seop, who was about to release his second album, and introduced him to a song he had written. That bold female student is composer Noh Young-sim. Byun Jin-seop, who was about to refuse, changed his mind after hearing Noh Young-sim's provocative words, "I'm going to give this song to Lee Moon-se." He reveals the background of 'Hope' being included in the album and an episode with Noh Young-sim at the time. In addition, the identity of another famous song that has unintentionally become a sore finger due to 'Wishful Matters' becoming a national song is also revealed. Byun Jin-seop recalls a time when he was disappointed that his 'favorite song', which he created with the most affection and effort, risking his musical career, was overshadowed by the popularity of 'wishful thinking'.

In addition, various anecdotes proving Byun Jin-seop's explosive popularity at the time are also revealed. Byun Jin-seop, who was said to be the number one celebrity earner in the 1990s, arouses interest by saying, “At the time, album profits alone were around 1 to 2 billion won.” Here, the story of how the genre called 'ballad' started with Byun Jin-seop, the episode where he had to move due to a safety accident that occurred due to his huge popularity, and the unexpected move of Lee Moon-se despite promising to focus only on performances with Lee Moon-se and cut off broadcasts and advertisements, etc. are touching. It tells an exciting behind-the-scenes story that brings laughter and surprise. The special music story of 'Living Legend' Byun Jin-seop, which featured luxury vocalist Kwak Jin-eon and led to a special tribute performance, can be confirmed through the broadcast.

'Now, This Moment', which raises interest with the hidden story of Korea's ballad emperor Byun Jin-seop, will be broadcast on tvN STORY at 8:20 pm on the 11th.

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr