[On The Record] Noble Trot Singer Gil Byeongmin: "Silver Spoon? It Was 'Parasite'"

'Mr. Trot 2' Challenger Opera Singer Gil Byeongmin Interview
Noble Baritone Pioneers New Trot Genre, Receiving Praise
Song as a Lifeline in Hard Times... Misunderstood as Silver Spoon
Trio Lattemore: "We Will Definitely Come Back"

Gil Byeong-min (29) is an elite. He graduated at the top of his class from the Vocal Music Department of Seoul National University’s College of Music and swept the top prizes in major domestic competitions. Recognized for his talent with awards such as the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award and the World Young Artist Award, he won first place at the 2016 Toulouse Vocal Competition in France. Since then, he has dominated international competitions in Italy, Russia, Georgia, Austria, and the United States, rising as a next-generation opera singer. In August 2019, he joined the Royal Opera House in the United Kingdom.

Gil Byung-min [Photo by The Road Music]

He did not rest on his laurels and continued to challenge himself. The following year, he appeared on JTBC’s audition program 'Fandom Singer 3' and finished in third place. Afterwards, he began activities as the leader of the crossover group Lette Amor. They released the midi album 'Wish', the art song album 'Kkot Ddae', and the classical album 'Gojon-ui Gil'. Last year, he took the stage as Emperor Franz Joseph in the musical 'Elisabeth' and challenged himself as a trot singer on TV Chosun’s 'Mr. Trot 2'. Having pioneered a new path of operatic trot on 'Mr. Trot 2', he finished in 12th place on the final ranking on the 2nd of this month.

I was curious about Gil Byeong-min’s story. A noble and sophisticated baritone. A golden spoon who steadily followed an enviable elite course. Elegant words such as a born opera singer describe him. Recently, at a location in Gwanghwamun, Seoul, he met with Asia Economy and shared honest stories he had never told since his debut. “Now I want to speak,” he said, slowly opening up about the long journey he has lived.

The Noble Baritone Who Pioneered Operatic Trot

[Photo by TV Chosun from 'Mr. Trot 2']

I first asked about his participation in the trot audition program 'Mr. Trot 2' as a contestant in the cross-genre category. Gil Byeong-min smiled and said, “It was a special audition that was not part of my life plan.” He said, “I postponed the acoustic recitals and concerts I had been steadily planning every month to fulfill the schedule of 'Mr. Trot 2'.” Then he nodded and said, “I feel proud to have survived as the last contestant in the cross-genre category. It was a time to find another path to sing without being bound by genre and to express my unique sensibility.”

He continued, “Seeing seniors Song Ga-in and Kim Ho-joong loved for their great performances in 'Miss Trot' and 'Mr. Trot' gave me courage. Many people from various genres, including hip-hop artist Sleepy and R&B singers, gathered in this cross-genre category. Along with the spirit of trot, we pursued fusion and novelty across all genres.”

He added, “As a vocal music major, I did my best to present new trot. I went straight ahead without turning back, and I was happy that masters Jang Yoon-jung and Jang Min-ho recognized me. After the 'Yeobaek' stage, I remember the judges’ comments saying that a new trot entertainer was born, like senior Patti Kim whose classical tone permeates trot.”

“Being loved through singing is a miraculous thing. I’m also happy when people say they were comforted by my singing. Singing is my companion and fellow traveler in this life. The filming site of 'Mr. Trot 2' felt like a countryside home during holidays. I saw all generations coming together through trot. I vowed to sing for the time given to me in this life.”

Basement Room and Hardship... Music Bloomed Like a Flower Amid Adversity

Gil Byeong-min revealed that watching young participants like Hwang Min-ho, Park Seong-on, and Song Do-hyun reminded him of his own childhood. He started singing with the KBS Children’s Choir. In elementary school, he was famous as a good singer among friends. Thanks to that, he was so popular that he never lost the class president position for six years. When asked if he was a popular golden spoon, he shook his head and said, “My family circumstances were difficult, so I couldn’t just sing.”

“Some people ask if classical majors are golden spoons, young masters, or princes. They ask if you have to come from a wealthy family to do classical music. Now that I think about it, my nickname on 'Mr. Trot 2' was ‘Prince’. I lived the exact opposite life. I started from the bottom. I never took a break from part-time jobs during middle and high school. I earned tuition even at Seoul National University. Because my family situation was difficult and life was harsh, I clung to singing as a lifeline of hope.”

I was quite surprised by the story Gil Byeong-min told for the first time. Despite participating twice in major audition programs and achieving significant results, he had never once played the sympathy card. When asked why, he said, “I kept it hidden.”

He said, “I wanted to talk about it when I was recognized for my talent and when it wouldn’t hurt to share.” He smiled and continued, “I started singing from a life with nothing.” It was entirely due to Gil Byeong-min’s efforts that he was able to enter the Seoul National University College of Music after attending Sunhwa Arts Middle and High School.

Gil Byeong-min [Photo by Potluck]

“When I lost my voice during puberty, our family’s financial situation worsened. You know the house of Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) in the movie 'Parasite' (2019), right? The scene where they scoop out water from the flooded basement on a rainy day resonated with me. I also lived in a basement and had similar experiences. I couldn’t afford vocal lessons during middle and high school, but thanks to a good teacher at school, it was possible. I spent whole days at the teacher’s house. The teacher played CDs for me, fed me, and taught me. I couldn’t pay for the lessons, but I’m grateful.”

“After entering Seoul National University, I lived fiercely while earning money. I lived in a basement near the school with a deposit of 5 million won and monthly rent of 400,000 won. I had nowhere to go because I had no money, and I couldn’t even dream of a private practice room, so I always practiced in the school practice room. I saved sleeping time and worked hard, and from the second semester of my freshman year, I was able to receive scholarships. I never stopped working to support my family financially, which became the driving force for me to sing quickly.”

Gil Byeong-min suddenly recalled his entrance ceremony at Sunhwa Arts Middle School. He said, “The entrance ceremony was held at the Universal Art Center, and it was shocking. It was like a scene from a drama, with people arriving in Mercedes cars driven by chauffeurs, laughing and chatting. At that time, I once couldn’t even afford the 720 won bus fare... I wondered if I really belonged in music, or if it was something for those kinds of people. I just endured that period. My parents worked day and night, going into debt to raise me.”

Despite his difficult circumstances, he did not give up on his dream of music thanks to his parents. Gil Byeong-min said, “My parents always told me that your generation should live for happiness. They told me to chase my dreams. Since singing is what I love most, they encouraged me to do it no matter what. They said they would somehow manage the money.” He then took a sip of coffee and said, “It’s a love I must repay for life.”

It was clearly not an easy story to tell. Gil Byeong-min mustered courage. He said, “Before, I hesitated because I worried my story wasn’t special and that I might be criticized if I spoke carelessly, but I wanted to convey hope. There are people like me, I did it, so you can do it too, let’s work hard together.”

Lettere Amor Forever in My Heart

Gil Byung-min [Photo by The Road Music]

Gil Byeong-min will hold a recital titled 'The Road Of Classics' at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei in Seoul on the 12th. It is a special event commemorating his 3rd debut anniversary, featuring various musical stages including album tracks as well as ‘Majung’, ‘First Love’, ‘Hunjung’, and ‘Say I Love You, Mariu’. Pianist and opera coach Jeong Tae-yang, a graduate of the Giuseppe Verdi Conservatory in Milan, will perform with him.

He emphasized, “I am the only person in the world who plays bass baritone in a diverse way.” He added, “As the album title 'The Road Of Classics' suggests, I want to look back on the path Gil Byeong-min has walked. I plan to sing various songs including crossover pieces and art songs. I want to present the essence of traditional classical music to those tired of everyday life.”

He plans to actively meet audiences this year. Gil Byeong-min will hold a talk concert at Yeongsan Art Hall on the 9th of next month and a Classical Friends concert at Seongnam Arts Center Concert Hall on April 16. The Friends concert will feature tenor Kim Jeong-hoon, who performed with him as a lead at the Royal Opera. On April 23 and May 28, he will continue the 'Road Of Classics' concerts at Kumho Art Hall Yonsei. He smiled and said, “I also have fun plans after that. It’s a spoiler, so I can’t reveal it yet, but I will announce it soon.”

He has also set various plans. Gil Byeong-min expressed his ambition to communicate with the public through his personal YouTube channel. He said, “I want to talk and sing through the channel and connect with the public.”

Gil Byung-min [Photo by The Road Music]

Attention was also drawn to the activities of Lettere Amor (Gil Byeong-min, Kim Seong-sik, Park Hyun-soo), who placed third in 'Phantom Singer 3' (2020). Gil Byeong-min said, “The members’ hearts are united.” He then hinted, “We plan to continue activities as a trio.”

“The most important thing is the agency. The Lettere Amor team can operate only if the three members’ agencies become one. Our hearts are united, but realistically, we are at a crossroads whether to meet a planning company to grow or to wait. I have a one-person agency, but everyone belongs to different agencies. I promised fans at the last concert that I would return, but since we became a trio, I feel sorry. I can’t guarantee how it will unfold, but I want to say that we will come back with new weapons and an evolved appearance over time. I hope that once the complicated routes are sorted out, we can show the fans what they want to see.”