[Interview 3] Hwang Chi-yeul: "Why Don't I Have 'Celebrity Disease'? Because I Don't Even Feel Like a Celebrity"

[Baek Ji-eun, Sportschosun] One of the most feared ailments in the entertainment world is so-called "celebrity disease." It usually appears after a long career or at the height of popularity, and if it worsens, it can lead to serious controversies over character or attitude.

Hwang Chi-yeul, however, seems to have been vaccinated against it from birth. Although he is widely known as a "versatile singer-songwriter," a "true balladeer," and a "digital music powerhouse," he remains humble, saying, "I have never thought of myself as the top."

Hwang Chi-yeul said, "I'm not Jang Dong-gun or Won Bin. I'm just the kind of friendly older brother next door. So I treat my fans that way, too. When I fly, if fans are on the plane, I ask them to take photos that come out well. I also hang out with them in the business lounge and joke around. I do take pride in having experienced the best moments of my life. I was incredibly lucky, and good fortune came my way. But I don't think of myself as a celebrity. I've just always lived that way, and when I looked around, the environment had changed. I don't think I changed by doing anything special. I was simply living a restrained, healthy life and pursuing happiness as I am, and only the surroundings changed."

Hwang Chi-yeul released his summer album, "I Love Summer," on the 26th at 6 p.m. The album captures the many emotions of summer, including love, excitement, heartbreak, and longing, through Hwang's deeply expressive vocals. The title track, "Us, Summer," is a refreshing summer ballad that lyrically portrays a blazing midsummer love and the longing left behind at its end.

Hwang Chi-yeul said, "Whether everyone will like this song is a concern and a task for every singer. I think the staff who are watching me are the people who know me best, so I do share my opinions, but I follow the staff's judgment completely. I've been in the industry for 19 years, but I spent about 10 of those years as an unknown singer, so I learned quickly that rather than pushing ahead with my own stubbornness, other people's perspective is more accurate. If I insist only on my own thoughts, I could end up going in the wrong direction, but the staff keeps me grounded. I trust them 100%."

Hwang will hold a solo concert, "Us, Summer," at Nodeul Island Live House on July 4 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. The show is expected to fully showcase his strengths as a performer, for which he is also well known. A variety of segments are planned, including his hit songs, events using short-form videos, and live stages based on fans' stories.

Hwang Chi-yeul noted, "It feels unfamiliar, but I'm putting a lot of effort into the lineup, including the short-form videos and story segments that fans enjoy. I'm focusing on communication so that everyone can laugh together, sing along, feel moved, and have fun. In the past, my performances were more about showing off, like, 'Look how well I sing.' But as time goes by, I want the feeling to be one of healthy laughter, and the main goal has become making sure fans are always happy. Rather than running toward goals or success, I've shifted toward pursuing the happiness of a healthy day."

Baek Ji-eun, silk781220@sportschosun.com