South Korean music legend Cho Yong-pil proves that age is not a barrier to pursuing a career in music.

The 74-year-old singer made a monumental return Tuesday with the release of his 20th full-length album, aptly titled “20,” marking his first studio album in 11 years.

“Releasing new songs at over 70 is challenging, but I worked really, really hard,” he said during a press conference in Seoul to promote the album. Although he suggested “20” might be his last, he added, “I’ll release new music again if there’s a good oneAddressing the crowded press event, he admitted: “This kind of thing (press conferences) is a bit embarrassing to me. I’d rather be at a concert, which makes me happy. I feel nervous waiting backstage, but as soon as I come out, all the nervousness dissipates.”

On “20,” the veteran artist explored a variety of musical genres, including rock, electronica and ballad. The album features seven tracks, including the lead single, whose Korean title roughly translates to “That’s Alright,” and two o
ther new songs, “Timing” and “Why.” All three songs were written by foreign composers.

The remaining four tracks — “Moment,” “Like Serengeti,” “Feeling of You” and “La” — were previously released as singles in 2022 and 2023.

The LP’s release, initially scheduled for last year, was delayed by about a year. When asked why, Cho explained: “I kept performing concerts, but making an album isn’t something that happens easily. It has to satisfy me. Often, I would create a song, but upon reviewing the sheet music the next day, I’d think, ‘Ah, forget it,’ and end up creating a different song. I’ve probably made hundreds of songs like that.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency