Lee Seung-gi Reflects on Balancing Music and Variety Shows
On May 7, singer Lee Seung-gi appeared as a guest on MBC FM4U's 'Kim Ina's Starry Night' to discuss his new song 'Jeongri' and share his thoughts on his activities in the entertainment industry. During the broadcast, he surprised listeners by performing 'Dae-dolida' and 'Emergency Room' at their request. Host Kim Ina praised his performance, stating, "Hearing it live feels like a massage; it resonates deeply, much like how opera singers evoke emotions through their singing."
Kim Ina expressed her disappointment that Lee Seung-gi has not been able to focus more on his music career compared to his variety show appearances. Lee Seung-gi responded, "The most challenging part of juggling variety shows, acting, and singing is that variety and music are fundamentally at odds. I often found myself in physically demanding situations, sleeping poorly, and pushing my voice to the limit, which hindered my ability to focus on my music. Now, I want to dedicate myself more to singing."
He highlighted his song 'Boy, Walking the Path,' a collaboration with NELL's Kim Jong-wan, sharing, "I sought him out frequently despite not having a prior relationship. He tends to be reclusive, sometimes disappearing when he gets absorbed in something. I expressed my desire to work together for about a year, and he graciously agreed."
Lee Seung-gi expressed his admiration for Kim Jong-wan, stating, "He is a true artist who writes music with sincerity, not just as a commercial endeavor. I feel fortunate to have connected with him. The lyrics of the song were crafted through our conversations, reflecting my own experiences."
Reflecting on the song, he noted, "If I were to sing it again now, I feel I could do it even better. I understand now why he created this song, as I was under pressure to quickly produce an album at that time."
He also mentioned the song 'Love,' composed by Kwon Soon-kwan, saying, "I reach out to artists even if I don't know them personally, just to express my admiration and request a song. I enjoy listening to music that resonates with me, and while I love high notes, I often prefer more soothing melodies."
Next, he chose 'All the Time We Spent Together,' a song written by the renowned lyricist Kim Ina. He explained, "I asked her to write lyrics that would resonate more with my fans."
Kim Ina shared her thoughts on writing the lyrics, noting, "Lee Seung-gi is not one to express weakness. He tends to avoid sharing his struggles, fearing it might upset those who care for him. I wrote this song based on my observations of him, hoping to strengthen the bond with his fans."
