Celebrating 35 Years: Ballad King Shin Seung-hun Captivates with Timeless Voice and Humor

Celebrating his 35th anniversary, the 'Ballad King' Shin Seung-hun captivated audiences with his timeless voice, unmatched vocal prowess, and surprising sense of humor.

On the October 20th episode of KBS2TV's 'Immortal Songs', the show was dedicated to Shin Seung-hun.

During the broadcast, Shin Seung-hun set the stage ablaze with a medley of mega-hits like 'I Believe' and 'You in My Smile'. The audience sang along and chanted his name, welcoming the return of the legend.

Shin Seung-hun, who sold 1.4 million copies of his debut album, becoming a million-seller right from the start, holds the record for seven consecutive million-selling studio albums and a cumulative album sales of 17 million, the highest in the history of Korean pop music. His record of 14 consecutive weeks at number one on music shows was also highlighted.

The show also featured performances by junior artists. Huh Gak moved the audience with 'Invisible Love', earning high praise from Shin Seung-hun, who exclaimed, "Huh Gak is amazing," and noted his impressive use of vibrato. Jo Jae-jazz reinterpreted 'You in My Smile', and An Shin-ae shared her past connection with Shin Seung-hun, expressing her respect by saying, "As a singer-songwriter, he is a guiding light."

Between performances, Shin Seung-hun shared candid stories. Regarding 'Invisible Love', he admitted, "I regretted making it because it's easy to go off-key during the high notes." He humorously recounted an incident in China where he did go off-key, jokingly telling people, "Only in Korea, I don't." He also shared how 'You in My Smile' was initially rejected by several agencies because of its informal language and high notes.

Shin Seung-hun's personal side was also highlighted. Musician Lee Won-seok, a close friend, mentioned, "A phone call with him lasts over an hour discussing music," showcasing Shin's endless curiosity. Jung Joon-il humorously admitted to sometimes deliberately not answering his calls, while An Shin-ae joked about her stew getting cold due to long conversations.

Shin Seung-hun also shared past photos, showing off his youthful appearance that hasn't changed much over the years. When teased about wearing a wig, he humorously replied, "Even my mother said that." He shared his skincare secret, "I rarely go out and always apply sunscreen," which drew laughter from the audience.

Reporter: Chae-ryung Lim, Ten Asia syjj426@tenasia.co.kr