Lee Seung-gi Celebrates 20 Years with New Album 'With'

Lee Seung-gi is set to release his 20th-anniversary album titled 'With (위드)' on the 4th of this month. This special album features reinterpretations of five of his iconic hits, including '되돌리다', '내 여자라니까', '삭제', '하기 힘든 말', and '아직 못다한 이야기'. Fans can look forward to experiencing the matured vocal prowess of Lee Seung-gi after two decades in the industry.

The album also showcases collaborations with several talented artists, including the beloved vocalist Lyn, actor and singer Cha Eun-woo, renowned vocalist Lee Soo, unique voice Lee Mu-jin, and the music production team Captain Planet, who have frequently worked with Lee Seung-gi.

In expressing his feelings about the album, Lee Seung-gi stated, "It’s a touching moment that makes me feel more humble. After doing one thing for 20 years, I find myself contemplating and taking things more seriously."

He explained the choice to create a remake album, saying, "I wanted to reintroduce myself to the public before releasing new songs, showcasing who Lee Seung-gi is as an artist."

The music video for the title track '되돌리다 (With Lyn)' will be released on the same day at 6 PM.

Here’s a detailed Q&A with Lee Seung-gi regarding the release of 'With':

Q. How do you feel about returning as Lee Seung-gi with this album to celebrate your 20th anniversary?

- It’s a touching experience that makes me feel more humble. After dedicating 20 years to one profession, I find myself reflecting and taking things more seriously.

Q. This album is a remake of your many beloved songs. What led you to choose this format?

- I deeply contemplated how to greet everyone for my 20th anniversary. With a new company and a chance to reflect on my journey, I felt it was necessary to reintroduce myself to the public through a remake album before releasing new songs.

Q. The lineup of collaborating musicians is impressive. What influenced your choices for each track?

- I reached out to friends, and I’m grateful they agreed to participate. I thought collaborating with Cha Eun-woo on '내 여자라니까' would resonate with more people. For '되돌리다' and '삭제', I felt a strong desire to work with vocalists after hearing the arrangements. I personally love '아직 못다한 이야기', and I thought Lee Mu-jin's voice would add a new dimension, so I asked him to join. Since my beginnings were in band music, I wanted to enhance the band sound in '하기 힘든 말' through collaboration.

Q. It seems meaningful to work with fellow musicians who have been part of your journey. Were there any memorable moments during the collaboration process?

- It was my first time working with Cha Eun-woo, and I was impressed by how quickly he absorbed the direction during recording. I was very satisfied with the result. Working with Lyn was something I had longed for, and I was thrilled it finally happened. My collaboration with Lee Soo was memorable as well; he asked if we could raise the key in the latter part of the song, and I boldly agreed. I encourage karaoke enthusiasts to give it a try!

Q. The title track is '되돌리다', originally released in 2012. What made you choose this song as the title?

- When I heard the arrangement for '되돌리다', it felt the most exhilarating, and I immediately thought it should be the title track. It’s also one of my most popular songs, so I chose it without hesitation.

Q. What aspects of the album did you focus on the most during production?

- I concentrated heavily on the arrangements. I wanted to create a fun and refreshing remake that listeners would want to revisit.

Q. Are there any specific tracks you’d like to highlight for their reinterpretation? What should listeners pay attention to?

- '아직 못다한 이야기' is a cherished song of mine, and Lee Mu-jin’s voice adds a rich texture to it. This song also helped me earn the nickname '홍보 승기' when I first appeared on '1박 2일'. I believe I’ve interpreted and sung it even better now, so I hope everyone gives it a listen.

Q. It’s been 20 years since you debuted with '내 여자라니까'. Have there been moments that made you realize how much time has passed?

- When I meet seniors at events like weddings, I often find that I’ve worked with many of them on broadcasts. Meeting seniors who have been in the industry for 50 years really makes me reflect on how long I’ve been at it.

Q. As Lee Seung-gi, do you have plans for future album releases? If so, what genres are you considering?

- My primary goal is to create music that resonates well with the public. I believe that what the public enjoys is also what I enjoy.

Q. The album 'With' encapsulates both your past and future. Do you have any specific goals as a singer, actor, and entertainer moving forward?

- As always, I don’t have any special goals. I just want to continue doing what I love for a long time, and I believe it’s enough to have a place where I can contribute.