[Interview 1] Hwang Chi-yeul, the Evolution of a Traditional Ballad Singer... A Refreshing Summer Ballad, "Us, Summer"

[Sportschosun Baek Ji-eun] The all-round singer-songwriter Hwang Chi-yeul has returned with a refreshing summer ballad.

Hwang Chi-yeul released his summer album, "I Love Summer," at 6 p.m. on the 26th. The album captures the many emotions of the season, including love, excitement, heartbreak, and longing, through Hwang's deeply expressive vocals.

The title track, "Us, Summer," tells the story of a passionate midsummer love and the longing left behind after it ends, with lyrical lyrics. Blending band sounds and guitar melodies, the song offers a refreshing sense of joy, almost like watching a youth fairy tale. Its lyrical yet stylish melody, along with Korean lyrics heard for the first time in a while, appeals both to Gen Z, who are captivated by Y2K, and to listeners in their 30s and older who miss the nostalgia of that era.

Hwang explained, "At first, I had chosen a different song as the title track, but I changed it to this one. When I listened to the monitor version, many people said it felt like an animation OST and that it was a song that brought images to mind, so I thought it suited summer better. The lyrics are about a breakup, but it is a song you can still enjoy in a refreshing way. The word 'us' also appears in the lyrics, so I thought it would be a song I could sing together with fans at concerts."

This album is not only Hwang's first summer album since his debut, but also a release that carries strong collectible value because it shows his growth as an artist. It includes five tracks across a range of genres, from his signature traditional ballads such as "Hold Your Breath and Your Name" and "The Night I Hate Myself Most for Hurting You," to sweeter confession songs like "I'll Tell You in Summer" and breezy city pop like "Summer Is Blowing In."

Hwang said, "Until now, I sang ballads that showed only my own pain and shared the sorrow of heartbreak with listeners. But this time, it feels like I am moving toward a stage that everyone can enjoy together, especially with fans. Of course, my roots are still in sad ballads delivered in a straightforward way. I started with ballads and showed that side of myself many times through competitions, so I still believe it is my greatest weapon and the instinctive color I do best. But if I only did that, it might feel a little dull for the people who have listened to my music for more than 10 years. So I wanted to try something different from time to time and make music we can enjoy together. Seeing fans smile and have fun has become the kind of image I want to pursue."

Baek Ji-eun, silk781220@sportschosun.com