Pre-release Track "Greeting" from Eighth Album to Be Released on the 17th
First New Song in Three Years Since 2022's Seventh Album "Seven Comma"
Singer Lim Jaebum is giving a greeting at the 40th debut anniversary press conference held on the 17th at Ilji Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News
"When I was young, I used to sing arrogantly. As time went on, the sense of responsibility grew heavier, and I realized I couldn't treat it lightly or play around. I had to pour my soul into singing," he said.
Singer Lim Jaebum reflected on his 40-year musical journey at a press conference celebrating the release of his new song, held on the 17th in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Debuting in 1986 with the first album of the band Sinawe, he shared, "When I first started music as a child, I fearlessly threw myself in, thinking I could do everything. But as 10, 20, and 30 years passed, even making a sound became frightening and daunting." He continued, "After recording, I always have lingering regrets. I wonder if my breathing was right, if I conveyed the lyrics properly. Regrets keep piling up. Music gets harder and harder, and I constantly reflect on whether I'm doing well."
At 6 p.m. on this day, he will release the pre-release track "Greeting," which opens the door to his eighth full-length album. This is his first new song in about three years since his seventh album "Seven Comma" in October 2022. "Greeting" is a pop gospel-style song that delivers a message of gratitude to the fans who have been with him for the past 40 years. The lyrics were written by lyricist Chae Jeongeun, who also wrote the lyrics for his signature songs "Confession" and "For You."
The release date for the eighth full-length album has not yet been decided. Lim Jaebum said, "For the sake of completeness, I will release one song at a time at a slow pace," and postponed the release of "The Time You Come," which was originally scheduled to be released together, to a later date.
Even when referred to as a "legend," he shook his head. Lim Jaebum said, "It's not time for me to receive that title yet. People like Cho Yongpil, Patti Kim, and Yoon Bokhee are the true legends," adding, "I'm only called that because fans have given me the name over time." He continued, "In the past, I sang with force, but now I want to deliver a more restrained sound that suits my age. I don't want to sound pretentious; I want listeners to feel comfortable."
Singer Lim Jaebum is having a photo session at the debut 40th anniversary press conference held at Ilji Art Hall in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, on the 17th. Photo by Yonhap News
Recently gaining attention for his warm-hearted feedback as a judge on JTBC's competition show "Sing Again 3," Lim Jaebum commented, "I think I've mellowed with age. All my edges have been smoothed out, my sharp thorns have been removed, and now I've become the neighborhood grandfather."
Starting in Daegu on November 29, Lim Jaebum will embark on a nationwide tour titled "I Am Lim Jaebum," with stops in Incheon, Seoul, and Busan. This tour will encompass his 40-year musical journey, from his Sinawe days to his eighth full-length album.
"Whenever I prepare for a concert and make the setlist, it's always a struggle," he said with a laugh. "But 'Confession' is always included." At the Seoul concert, he plans to introduce a new sound experience by applying an immersive audio system for the first time in an Asian pop music performance.
Finally, he said, "Whenever I get the chance during the tour, I'll carefully record one song at a time to complete the eighth album. There are still many tasks left. I don't know if I'll be able to make it to the 50th or 60th anniversary."
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