Singer Im Chang-jung never tired of singing

Sep 10, 2019

Singer Im Chang-jung released his 15th regular album "Never Ending" Sept. 6.

Singer Im Chang-jung released his latest album "Never Ending" last Friday. The 15 songs are about each month from January to December with the extra track "13th month," and two instrumental versions.

"I have arranged the songs thinking what kind of feeling would fit for each month. For "Never Ending" I intended to name it "13th month" in Korean to implicate unfulfilled love, because it is the month that does not exist," Im said.

Over the past 24 years since his 1995 debut as a singer, he has maintained a similar style.

"I like songs that have a good melody," Im said. "I don't think I need to change anything if a change will only make the melodies worse and listeners don't like it. I can always change the style through arrangements in music."

Yet he wanted to make some changes to this album.

"I used to compose 80 percent of the songs, but this time I left it to the producer, and tried to refrain from composing," he said. "I only took part in choosing the title music and September," he said.

One of the reasons for making changes is to make his music to appeal to younger people, he said.

"I think if the melody and lyrics are good, the song will be loved by people regardless of time," Im said. "But I think there should be changes in arrangement to interact with the younger generation. It is kind of like a service, or can be compared to good wrapping paper for the customers. I would like to use good wrapping paper for the young listeners," he said.

In order to catch up with the trends, he listens music on YouTube. "Lately I have been using YouTube for old music like Boyz II Men as well as new ones," he said. He added he was a big fan of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK.

He said he's interested in training junior musicians and founded an agency called YES IM. Through his agency, he said he plans to help several K-pop groups make their debut. He also gives out his songs to young singers, one of whom is Kim Jae-hwan from disbanded boy band Wanna One.

"I release my albums regularly around this time of the year, but I never get tired. It is just fun. I love when my humming is combined with the sound of the piano and other instruments and becomes a melody. I feel excited when I hear the demo, guide, sound mixing etc.," Im said. "I think it's amazing how music is made."

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