[Interview 2] Hwang Chi-yeul: "Ten Years in Obscurity, a Company Gone, Plans Collapsed... Our Miracle"

[Sportschosun Baek Ji-eun] The lost 10 years. How many people can truly understand what that weight feels like?

Hwang Chi-yeul is now one of the most respected ballad singers in the Korean music industry. But before he became who he is today, he endured countless tear-soaked nights.

Hwang Chi-yeul made his debut in 2006 with the OST for the drama Lovers, a remake of Im Jae-beom's "Confession." He later released the single album Cheolyeol in February 2007 and the full-length album Five Senses in June, but he was unable to promote properly because of issues at his agency. He later appeared as a guest vocalist for 015B with Verbal Jint and also formed the group Wednesday, but he failed to draw attention and eventually worked as a vocal trainer.

In 2013, he even reached the point of terminating his contract with his agency and considering quitting music altogether. Then came I Can See Your Voice. His appearance, with idol-like looks and a husky voice backed by outstanding vocals, thrilled the public. He later cemented the name Hwang Chi-yeul in the public mind with legendary performances on Immortal Songs.

From there, it became the "Hwang Chi-yeul syndrome." He rose as a Hallyu star, appearing on Korean variety shows such as I Live Alone and Radio Star, as well as the Chinese program Singer 4. His first mini album, Be Ordinary, released in 2017, sold more than 200,000 copies, an unusual feat for a solo artist. Songs such as "You Stuck in Me," "It Seemed Like I Was Going to Say It Was the End," and "Do You Live Well Without Forgetting Me" became successive hits, propelling his career even further.

Even so, he still feels hungry for more. He said that because he experienced deprivation, he came to understand how precious opportunity is.

Hwang said, "I came up to Seoul alone and made music by myself. Even when I wanted to learn piano, guitar, and singing, everything cost money, so I had no choice but to teach myself. When I debuted on my own, I even performed on music shows from the three major broadcasters with a song called 'Once,' but then my company suddenly disappeared, and I had no stage left to stand on. When I worked as a guest vocalist for 015B, I went on a radio program, but then I suddenly could not continue promoting. You never know when something will disappear."

He continued, "But now it has become 'us.' There are fans who walk this path with me. Thanks to them, I can still release albums even in a sluggish ballad market. I was so happy in China, and that situation felt like a miracle. Even now, some people ask me privately whether it was hard, and I tell them, 'I was so happy, and I experienced so many miracle-like moments that I am grateful.' I want to keep working in a more enjoyable way while I still can. I used to be alone, but now it is us. I also hope my fans can remember me as a page in their memories, and that I can keep renewing the record for happiness. I think that is the image I am pursuing."

That positive mindset is fully reflected in his music. Music that listeners can enjoy and feel happy with, music that offers comfort and healing, is the very identity of Hwang Chi-yeul's sound. The clearest expression of that comes through the title track "Us, Summer" from I Love Summer, released on the afternoon of the 26th. Its refreshing band sound, bright melody, and lyrical lyrics naturally draw listeners in.

Hwang said, "I feel like I have only had things to be grateful for. In the past, it was, 'Do you want coffee or a meal?' But now I can have both a meal and coffee, and that is something to be thankful for. While being with my fans, I came to think, 'Let’s appreciate the small things and feel as much happiness as we can in a day.' Since I can only be happy if I make an effort, I am living while trying to feel happiness so that my goal can be each day. Now, I focus on 'us.'"

Reporter Baek Ji-eun silk781220@sportschosun.com