Profile/Giveaway #2: YI SUNG YOL
First, I’d like to say that I know having lots of ads can be distracting on blogs. I’ve deliberated a lot on which ad blocks to use or not, and I’m never perfectly satisfied. But the ads are also why I’m able to give away free stuff like this, so there’s that silver lining.
Since the last free CD giveaway (and artist profile) went over pretty well — hey, what free stuff doesn’t, right? — I thought I’d continue with another great but overlooked artist, singer-songwriter Yi Sung Yol. (Also spelled Lee Seung Yeol/이승열.)
The Rules: Like last time, leave a comment with your email address so I can contact winners. I’ll give away FOUR CDs — winner gets his/her choice of CD, either Yi’s first album “이날, 이때, 이즈음에…” or his second, “In Exchange.”
Giveaway closes: A week from today, noon PST on Friday, June 20 27. I’ll close entries then and post winners later that day.
SONG OF THE DAY
Yi Sung Yol – “우리는” (Us) from the soundtrack of Que Sera Sera (reposted from an earlier post).
[ Download ]
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THE MUSIC & DISCOGRAPHY
Yi Sung Yol is a singer and songwriter currently enjoying a successful career as a solo artist as well as being a frequent contributor to drama and film soundtracks; his (mainstream) profile took off in earnest after he collaborated with groove-electronic group Clazziquai in singing the theme song “Be My Love” (posted below) for 2005’s My Name Is Kim Samsoon.
His modern rock sound has drawn comparisons to U2, although I think that’s perhaps more because of the timbre of his voice (comparing it to Bono) than the music itself. Although his solo career got its start in 2003 with his first album, Yi’s roots in the Korean modern rock scene go back much farther — he debuted in 1994 as half of rock duo U&ME BLUE with his college buddy Bang Joon-seok. At the time, Seo Taiji & the Boys was enjoying popularity in the kpop mainstream for introducing a new dance-pop-rap sound, while the Western world was in the throes of the alt-rock and grunge movements — Brit-rock had Oasis, Blur and Pulp; the States had Pearl Jam and Nirvana.
U&ME BLUE’s style differed from existing kpop genres, neither a part of Seo Taiji’s dance-pop (which itself changed significantly in subsequent years) nor the underground club scene. The duo was part of a “new Korean rock” sound, and put out two albums, disbanding in 1997. The two friends went their separate ways professionally (they remain good friends personally), and Bang Joon-seok went on to a successful film soundtrack career.
Albums:
U&ME BLUE Vol. 1 “Nothing’s Good Enough” (1994)
U&ME BLUE Vol. 2 “Cry Our Wannabe Nation” (1996)
Yi Sung Yol Vol. 1: “이날, 이때, 이즈음에…” (This day, this time, this moment…) (2003)
Yi Sung Yol Vol. 2: “In Exchange” (2007)Soundtrack contributions:
Wonderful Days (2003)
…ing (2003)
Duelist (2005)
My Name Is Kim Samsoon (2005)
One Fine Day (2006)
Que Sera Sera (2007)
Spotlight (2008)
Official website: http://www.syblue.co.kr/
Yi Sung Yol & Clazziquai – “Be My Love” from the OST of My Name Is Kim Samsoon [ Download ]
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Yi Sung Yol – “비상” (emergency) from the OST of Wonderful Days. [ Download ]
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THE EARLY YEARS: U&ME BLUE
Born in 1970, Yi Sung Yol spent much of his life abroad in the U.S., attending New York’s Binghamton University, which is where he met Bang Joon-seok in their freshman year. The two were roommates and got along well; both enjoyed music and played guitar, which made dreams of forming a band a natural progression.
One of their early musical moments was an event sponsored an Asian organization at which both performed — Yi Sung Yol sang an Lee Seung Chul song, while Bang Joon-seok, who spent his adolescence in Chile, sang a Chilean song. They began writing together, accumulating a catalog of songs over the next several years, recording their songs as four-track analog recordings.
After graduating, Yi returned to Korea, and Bang to China. Both wanted to continue with music (despite parental opposition), so Bang traveled to Korea under the excuse of going on vacation, but in reality to reunite with Yi and pursue music. They knew a writer at a broadcast station and sent their demo tapes everywhere. Eventually, two places contacted them.
One of those was Song Studios, a sort of hub for musicians and songwriters in the ’90s, run by Song Hong-sub, whom the artists called Captain Song. He had two categories for music: interesting or not. He found U&ME Blue’s tape interesting. They liked Song Studios. It was 1993.
TAKING A BREAK
U&ME BLUE put out two albums and remained relatively underground in the rock scene — in fact, most of their popularity came belatedly after both partners went on to more (commercially) successful solo careers. (These days, their out-of-print albums sell for upwards of $100 each.) Perhaps they were just before their time. At that point, however, Yi began doubting whether he could make a career of music. It seems that during this period, Yi had not only a professional slump but a musical one as well — after U&ME broke up in 1997, Yi returned to ordinary life, dissatisfied with his odd jobs but needing to make a living. He used his English skills to take a job as a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam instructor, and interviewed with an insurance company. At one point, he even re-enrolled in school to study mass communication.
In 1999, Yi started working with friend and began writing songs again, doing his own programming and guitar-playing. After working on his music for a year, he was struck with a growing desire to put together an album, but had nowhere to release it. Without any traditional outlets for distribution, he even considered uploading a “single album” online to an mp3 site.
It’s at that point that he happened to run into Song Hong-sub (of Song Studios) while living back in the States. Song told Yi that if he was really interested in putting out a solo album, he wanted to work together. Soon after, Yi received a call from Song, telling him, “The situation looks good now, so let’s draw up a contract.” This was 2000.
By the time Yi returned to Korea, his former partner Bang had established himself as a successful film composer, serving as music director for hits like Park Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area. Yi continued working on his demos until, in 2002, the main engineer working at Song Studios, Kim Byung-chan, moved to the label Fluxus Music.
Yi Sung Yol – “푸른 너를 본다” (Looking at a blue you). [ Download ]
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Yi Sung Yol – “다행-믿어지니” (Do you believe it?). [ Download ]
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GOING SOLO
Yi released his solo debut album in 2003 with Fluxus, “이날, 이때, 이즈음에…” (This day, this time, this moment…), with the track “Secret” as the album’s single. His music had evolved from his earlier days into a more grown-up sound — more contemplative and abstract. But he kept traces of his musical roots; U&ME BLUE incorporated elements of blues and jazz into their rock, which can be heard in Yi’s first solo album as well. The songs were more lyrical, and Yi explains that he now enjoys writing lyrics much more than he had back in his U&ME days; he’s more attentive to nuance these days. In answer to the question of why he uses English lyrics in many of his songs, he answers that he often writes them in English first, although there are also songs that he likes to keep entirely Korean-language as well.
It was four years before he released his (fantastic) follow-up album, “In Exchange,” but Yi explains that the process of composing and songwriting was ongoing in the interim. About a year after completing the first album, he started the second, which he worked on for the following two years. He recorded demos of the songs on his own, at home, then reworked them in the studio.
This album showed a more focused musical point of view, and more personal lyrics. Yi explains that it was the things in his life from which he drew inspiration — his parents, his wife, even the sight of wrinkles on the elderly. He’d also settled into the stability of a seven-year-long marriage. The result is an album with simple yet contemplative lyrics and a mature musical aesthetic.
THE CURRENT STATE OF AFFAIRS…
Yi acknowledges that the personal stability in his life has changed his sound. He recalls first arriving in Korea after living abroad for ten years, and being shocked at the amount of change that had occurred. In experienced a similar feeling despite a shorter time away when he returned to Korea in 2000, startled to find that Korea had changed yet again in a few short years. Now, his personal and professional life has found a level of stability, a sense that works its way into his songs.
His music isn’t just a tune or a song, Yi explains, but has a narrative and a story, a dramatic element: “I think of music as something within me.” He’s a musician who doesn’t like hearing or seeing himself on television — it makes him feel embarrassed, awkward. That’s a part of show biz, but he doesn’t consider himself a part of the entertainment machine that churns out singers based on hit singles and image. That’s not an aspect of his job that he’s comfortable with.
Asked if he’d ever reteam with U&ME partner Bang Joon-seok, Yi answers that Bang is someone he respects, whom he considers a friend more than a colleague. He’d like to work with him again, although for the time being both find it difficult to manage in light of their busy careers.
Yi Sung Yol – “새벽, 아침의 문” (Dawn, the door to morning) (repost) [ Download ]
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Yi Sung Yol – “스물 그리고 서른” (20 versus 30) (repost). This is a song I was particularly struck with when I first heard the lyrics. It’s characteristic of him — simple, thoughtful. The sentiment is not particularly profound, but rather intimate and insightful. I’m not a poet, but I’m also drawn to the way Yi strings his lyrics along, not necessarily ending a sentence at the end of a line, but connecting line to line. Read below. [ Download ]
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Like coffee and cigarettes, strong and bitter Even when facing the world, feeling stripped naked, Thirty years old, I await another start. I face the world once again, 커피와 담배처럼 진하고 또, 독한 벌거벗은 채로 세상을 맞서도 서른 살 은 기다림 또 다른 시작을. 다시 한 번 여기 세상을 맞서는
Twenty years old, all aflutter, the world was beautiful.
As though love were easy, and promises too.
When those young nights passed,
tears flowed, reason unknown.
I couldn’t feel fear
in those days of freedom and time of love.
That’s the me I miss.
It’s like keeping promises, and love.
Wearied hearts hold their ground.
And when it’s hard to endure,
and tears flow, reason unknown,
having to pray for myself,
for these meaningless worries of the world
to now be left behind.스무 살 땐 설레임, 세상이 예뻤다.
사랑이 쉬웠듯이 약속도 그랬다.
젊은 밤이 지날 땐
나도 몰래 눈물이 흘렀다.
두려움 느낄 수 없었던
자유롭던 날들 사랑했던 시간
그리운 내 모습이여
약속을 지키듯이 사랑도 그렇다.
녹스는 가슴으로 버텨내는 시간
견디기 힘들어서
나도 몰래 눈물이 흐를 때
날 위해 기도를 해야 해
아무것도 아닌 세상의 고민들
이제는 버릴 수 있게
If you don’t want to wait for the giveaway, you can buy the albums: Volume 1 “이날, 이때, 이즈음에…” or Volume 2 “In Exchange.”
RELATED POSTS
Tags: artist profiles, CD giveaways, musicians, song lyrics, Yi Sung Yol
left my email
tis wonderful… these giveaways. esp when the artist is 이승열
too bad I already own them, he’s an excellent songwriter and musician
기다림 is the saddest song I know
I really liked the que sera sera OST as well as the Kim Sam Soon’s didn’t just pay to much attention to the artist though. Its good that you continue to feature overlooked artists even with out the giveaways tie-in.
Thank you for the great write-up of U&Me Blue! It’s really hard to track down material on them in English. Or their songs.
Leaving my email and name!
Wow, I really liked his voice!!!
Realy strong, so beautiful…
Leaving my email too!!!
Oh wow, this is interesting O_O
I’m always up to trying the music overlooked artists! =D
The Bono comparisons are apt, and his vibrato can be knee buckling. Mm hmm! If you look around Youtube, you can find his live cover of U2’s One.
I like how you introduce us to many people in the music scene besides those screen hoggers like Wonder girls etc. Their music is mediocre, but you introduce truly exceptional singers. THANKS!
Ooh, I really like his music. I definitely wouldn’t mind a CD of his… 스물 그리고 서른 in particular, has a really relaxing, soothing feeling. Very pretty. ^_^
I’ll enter! I love his voice! Thanks javabeans!
Hi there, I check in and read your blog at least once of day! Free CDs, that’s so cool…Love this guy’s voice. Hope to hear from you soon.
]
interesting.. I’m in! *crosses fingers*
so easy !
i dont know this singer at all… i hope i’ll win to discover him !
yay….im in too. your blogs keep me updated. thanks for this!
love him. pants off.
…ing was one of the first K-movies I ever watched, and Im SooJung leaning out the window, listening to “Bird” on her headphones (and thinking how cool and lonely and young she was) is a vivid cinematic memory. The music (esp the songs by U&ME BLUE) was one of the many things I loved (and I mean LOVE) about …ing, and like a hundred K-movies later, it’s still my mostest favoritest OST (and “기다림” still breaks my heart – man that is the saddest saddest song).
It’s cool to know that 이승열 also worked on a couple of my other favorite soundtracks like Wonderful Days, Duelist, MNIKSS and QSS.
The lyrics to “20 vs. 30″ are lovely (and gave me goosebumps).
It’s a delight listening to his wonderful music and reading your words. Thank you so much for doing features like this (and the giveaways sure doesn’t hurt, heh ^_^).
I would love to sample his music. . . thanks.
oooh!! thats the guy in the Samsoon OST song wif Clazziquai!!~ haha thx 2 Alex~ i’m so into lounge music now~~ Mm gona go look into yi sung yol now XP thx!
I’m really unlucky with giveaways, but I’ll try this one out
Thanks for the opportunity, and for the awesome blog.
Hmm…let’s see how much my luck has improved since last time ^^;;
The only thing better than CDs are free CDs
Wow, I had no idea he sang the “Be My Love” song w/ Alex! Thanks for all these songs, Dramabeans!!
leaving my email… thanks for sharing his music
I loveee his voice!!! (leaving email)
Thanks for introducing us to talents who are lesser known in popular media. The lyrics to 20 vs 30 have even more significance for those of us “slightly” over 30.
Oooh count me in! I loved the song from QSS especially and “스물 그리고 서른” (20 versus 30) is simply wonderful. Thank you for letting us sample more of his great songs! ^_^
please choose me! i love listening to new music!
wow, i love this kind of unknown artist,
always willing to try new stuff!(:
thanks so much for introducing him,
haha now i know who sang that song from Kim Sam Soon.
thanks again!(:
thanx for introducing me to such cool and interesting music that i may never have known existed.
So do you choose the winners by dumb luck or is there something else ? lol
Anyway, never hurt to give it a try.
thanks for having another CD giveaway and giving away 4 CDs!! thanks a lot for contributing to kdramas and to us, youre audience. I really like his music and crossing my fingers for a win! thanks again! ^_^
thanks for the intro to another great artist, your taste is always spot on. your like the Alexandra Patsavas of korean music.
You’re awesome for doing this
featuring talented artists and giving away CDs.
he has quite a down to earth perspective to life and i like how he expresses this thru music
Thanks for the introduction to another artist.
The way you write him, he seems a very grounded person: no airs about him or pretensions about his artistry. It’s very refreshing.
Thanks again for sharing.
I hope I win!!!!
I love his voice!
He sang that song in “One Fine Day” too, right?
pick me pick me!
wow. I love Be My Love and Kim Sam Soon. Be My Love is actually my cell phone ring tone. =)
Ahh!!! I love Yi Sung Yol!!!! ^-^
I hope I win!
I think that he has a very unique voice. It is really distinct to the point that you will always know he is the one singing…not many artist are able to do that. It sounds soulful and beautiful is so many ways.
He might be underrated but even so he is amazing:)
Thank you! I really love his style!
He’s great! Thanks for introducing his music to me.
Love his voice. Thanks for the great music!
@25 Helena – ditto!
I love this artist! What an amazing voice =]
Hmm, I love the tone & quality of his voice, nice and smooth … He does seem pretty diverse, but maybe you just do a really good job narrating his career. I also love that he collaborates and contributes to soundracks, etc. I’m all about the soundtracks.
Thanks for doing this, you’re the best.
“Ooh, ooh!” *raises hand in air* “Pick me, pick me!”
Thanks for another chance at another great cd!!!
Thanks for this =D
yay!! this is so fun. im in!!woot..
Horray for giveaways! It’s great that overlooked artists and underdogs like Yi Sung get to be featured in this post.
MNIKSS OST is the best. So is Que Sera Sera OST, which i remember was given an award before. The info sounds really attractive too. FLUXUS artists are all talents, My Aunt Mary, Loveholic, Clazziquai, and of course including Yi Seung Yeol … Although he’s not my most favourite singer other than Loveholic, i like his songs.
I want to win!! =) Luv his voice
I’m in love with his voice — thanks for sharing.
Wow! I so enjoyed this post! I’ve been downloading all the songs of his that you’ve been posting after having fallen for his voice the very first time I heard him. So I truly appreciated reading about the development of his music as an artist.
thanks for your entries! i enjoy reading them everyday n________nV
also thanks for throwing out giveaways!! so niicee! THANKS!
Wow, perfect timing, he’s become one of my recent faves!
Ps awesome blog
Wow! Guess I came back from my vacation on time
. Haha. Just went to the Caribbeans for a post-graduation trip 
. Glad to be back! Thanks for the give-away!
I want to participate!
)
( crossing my finger..
Here’s to winning some CD’s for the wifey!
Javabean,
Again, I’ve learned something new from you.
Recently, I watched the movie “…ing” and loved the soundtrack. I had no idea that so many of the soundtracks, such as QSS, Duelist, Sam Soon & Spotlight, are all from the same composer/singer.
This is a delightful surprise.
Thanks for the information and your blog.
hoping….
Oh, awesome! I like this artist
Let’s get lucky!
He was the one (other than Alex) in Be My Love?
Wow, that’s all I’ve heard of him but I love that song.
thank god for ads, then. I’d love to enter this giveaway. He sounds pretty good. I’ll probably buy his album if I don’t win this. But boy, I hope i do win. ^^
Leaving my e-mail. I love Lee Seung Yeol! (:
Ah this is the guy from QSS soundtrack, which remains my favourite KDrama soundtrack ever.
*crosses fingers and hopes to win*
Wow. I’ve never heard of Yi Sung Yol before… Though I have heard that MNIKSS song. Anyhow, I really, really like his music, and his philosophy on music. And the lyrics of 스물 그리고 서른 are really beautiful.
After listening to “비상” (emergency), I realise why people make comparisons to U2.
still, I think his voice is very unique!
Thanks for introducing us to his music!
(and also Thank You for many great Korean artistes e.g. Nell, Oldfish, Peppertones, Clazziquai, Blue Sorbet, Casker, Adult Child, BlueDawn, EPIK HIGH!!)
Sounds good. The singer and the present.
his voice is really unique. it’s not like THAT great, but it’s not bad.
but his style is cool.
Hello! I’m really glad that you are continuing with the giveaways! There can never be too many free goodies right? Hahah, moreover, it spices things up, doesn’t it?
Since I was one of the lucky winners last round, I shan’t take part this time. But I just wanted to say how I fell in love with his songs after Que Sera Sera!! (I was so blind to overlook his talent from MNIKSS.) His voice is a real standout man! Love his songs. Thank you for sharing it with more people!! 
Didn’t recognize the name but certainly recognized the voice. It’s one I’ve heard many times and I just love it! Thanks so much for helping me put a name, a face and a context to it! No need to include me in the CD give-away – just greatly appreciated the in-depth info! Thanks again!
I’m crossing my fingers! :0)
hi
i have left my email. i’m a regular reader and love love love your blog. good job, keep it up.
thanks
Love what you’re doing Java as well as your blog! What a great way to introduce an underrated and talented Korean artist to many kpop music lovers, love his previous works to date.
ahh.. “be my love,” the memories…
i’m attending suny binghamton this fall!!
Ohh, good for you, enjoy your weekend down San Diego way.. Sure hope you get a cool breeze down here ‘cuz it’s gonna be super hot up here in the central coast… Keep on chugging, friends and family enjoy your blog and follow it religiously….have a good weekend.
Oh, I’m so happy you introduced us his beautiful voice. I’m so in love with his voice after One Fine Day, searched everywhere for more of his information (in English of course) but it’s so hard to trackdown. Thanks so much for bring him here ^^
I first known him with the song 이유 (The Reason) in One Fine Day. Many of you may not like that drama but its OST was just beautiful, relaxing and soothing. And while most people who favour OFD ost like other songs by Loveholic, I just feel mesmerised by his voice.
Not to forget “20 vs 30″, so meaningful.
To #70 Nonbirira, his voice is unique rite? Once you get to know the voice, you recognize him at once.
Thanks again Dramabeans, enjoy your weekend in San Diego.
hey hey
im very intrested since he sang be my love.. i love that song!
i really like the music you post on your blog
wowee…i’ve never heard of him before, but i like his songs! i loved that song from sam soon. it’s so catchy :] i’m really curious as to how his other songs sound so i’m entering as well! XD haha. even if i don’t win, thanks for introducing me to a new artist i’ve never heard of! ^^V
XD didn’t participated in your first give-away-action… and won’t do it in thiis one… because I already have his 1st and 2nd album *lol*
But I just wanna say, that it’s a really nice and good idea for your blog ^^
*hope, someone who comes regulary will be happy after this week though XD*
He sounds very interesting- you have me curious!
Also- can I still enter? You posted this yesterday, and put the closing date as yesterday too. Hope it’s ok for me to still enter now ^_^
thanks for introducing me to another great musician. i love his voice. hope i win.
i love his voice……and its so refreshing to listen to some decent korean artists as loads of them are just so commercialised …*cough* super junior *cough* good choice of artist javabeans….well come to think of it, i do enjoy most of the songs you put up on your site.
Thanks for the detailed synopsis of the man’s musical history and discography . Yi’s been on my YouTube favourites list — and YesAsia wishlist — for ages.
Thanks! This is so cool, thanks for your wonderful blog!
thanks for sharing!
oh wow i’de love to listen to his songs
sounds real interesting
(leaving my email)
thanks!
Whoa cool, a giveaway! He seems very low-key, and his music and voice are fantastic!
Hey! I never knew he had a contribution to My Name Is Kim Samsoon till you mentioned it.
I am obviously living in a closet.
Not bad for vocals… Truly unlike the bubblegum, sweet as sugar, typical Korean artists.
I hope I’ll win this!
This is my third try. If the others came through , please forgive. I am an American woman tired of the films,music and tv shows from here. I love Korean TV shows, films and music. This sweetheart of a man makes me cry. I love the melodie and his voice, even though I don’t know what he is singing about.Tuesday I will be 68 years young and would love to own this music.I A would like to have the album with Quea Sara Sara on it.I am devoted to your website and look every day to see what is new.When I first found this site I did cry all my music I love was here and down loadable. Thank you so very much. Ivory
I’ve never heard of him before reading this post but wow, he has a really nice voice. I really like how you share these relatively unknown artists. I’m bored of the so-called idol groups that are dominating the k-music world.
i totally love these great but overlooked artist posts!
did i mention that i love your blog? i guess only 92938492734 times
ill enter!
ill enter!
Thanks for doing this! Appreciate it tons
Leaving my email…thank you for the blogging. It’s awesome!
I really enjoyed the “새벽, 아침의 문” post! This is my first time listening to this artist, and his songs are really beautiful and musical…(does that even make sense?!) Anyways…I’m hopeful! Thanks for the chance and the showcase of an interesting artist who was previously unknown to me…
Thanks for this giveaway, I’m a great fan of your site!
Thanks for sharing! This song rocks!
I love your website and read it very often. I’m not very familiar with Korean music, but I would love to listen to his cd. 99th comment!
Thanks for another giveaway….
I especially liked “푸른 너를 본다”
woohoo, another giveaway! hehe since I have won the first one, I might not win again but it’s worth a try. Thanks Dramabeans for the Oldfish CD!!!
Cool beans! I’m trying for it too!
it’s very hard from my country to get the album, but he is one good artist!
Just like others, i’m leaving a comment here now to try out my luck! ^^
He does have a unique voice and even swings your mood to the sky. Just liften up all the probs in head away.
But it’s kinda pity that not really lots of ppl actually appreciate such music and voice.
But from your listing it’s good to see that he’s featured in a number of OST.
^^
Thanks for this interesting contest and introducing him up into your blog too!
wow, this post sure has gotten lots of comments!
ohh ! didn’t know he was the dude from ‘be my love’
he’s awesomee.
yayy. a giveaway.
wow. this guy’s music is pretty coool.
thanks dramabeans. [;
Thanks for introducing great music with each post. It’s brilliant that at your website I can get updates on the drama world and yet also be recommended great music.
It’s time for the people out there to know what awesome musical talent Korea has; it is not just about prancing prepubescent girls in tini-mini-skirts and cutesy underaged boybands….
“20 vs. 30″ is definitely my favorite song!
I just heard this man sing and he is wonderful. Thank you for give away.
Ooh his music sounds interesting.
thanks again for introducing good music – am enjoying what i’ve heard so far, and i like how his voice hits you at first go.
thanks for the info..i am just starting to learn korean..it’s good to know another kind of music there !
Thank you for the offer!
*cross fingers*
Thanks for featuring another great artist!
thanks for the giveaway
and sharing your musical tastes which I enjoy
I want, I want!
I definitely don’t wanna miss my chance to get my hands on his *cough*1st*cough* solo album. Admittedly, his brand of music take its time to grow on me, but I kinda dig his style of melancholic pop, if it can be labeled as that. ;p
So, here goes! *fingers crossed*
I first heard Yi Sung Yol’s ‘Us’ when you shared it here.
After listening to more, I feel he’s a rare musician, because his lyrics are sincere and something people can relate to. It’s music like his that keeps me grounded yet lifts my spirits.
Not forgetting his awesome soothing deep rich melodious voice! He’s a treasure.
Good luck to everyone including myself in winning this.
its a free gift… so am in….
i love his voice.
I love this site even more now!
I’ve been playing kpop music I get from your site for my kids… I’d love to add this to the collection!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
His music is quite good and his voice too
I first heard of him in Que Sera Sera OST..was blown away by his voice, especially when his song was played in the scene of helicopter flight..awesome..:)
I’m glad I finally found out who the guest singer on Be My Love is, I loved his voice in it.
Thanks so much for doing this! *crosses fingers*
Sounds like a good artist – I’m so intrested!
Putting my name in the hat! Thanks much.
wow…..what can i say he got talent
hehehehehe
my email too hehehehe
Wow! I’ve been in kind of a slump lately. That is, I’ve had a hard time finding music that I really enjoy (and fits my mood). This is nice! I really like his voice. It sounds like something I can listen to for quite some time without tiring of it.
I can’t tell you how much I love your music choices on the blog! One song that I particularly enjoyed (and still do, when the mood strikes) is “Too Long” by Yael Naim. Beautiful
Anyway, thanks again for the music. If I happen to win, that’d be awesome! If not, thanks for the mp3s! Once I get a job (and after I receive those precious paychecks) I’ll have to check him out some more!
Count me in! (last minute is always my thing..hehe)
I never heard of him before but I’m glad to discover another good voice. I like “Be my love” SOoo much but I never knew that he was the one who collaborated with Clazziquai. Frankly speaking, he may not have the typical voice that appeal to most k -music fanatics but this is what that makes him so unique amongst others. In fact, I find his voice to be rather soothing to listen to especially when you are lazing around in the afternoon. Thank you so much for the recommendation.
such a great aura and really like a story i think…
I LOVE free stuff! Thanks a bunch for this dramabean. woohoo!!
You don’t know how happy this post makes me. I just came back from vacation and was going through and catching up…and I went “WOW!”. I’ve said this so many times but Yi Sung Yol ranks right on top of my list of all-time favorite musicians. Urinun still makes my heart beat harder! And everytime I see more news on him I get so excited!
Thank you so, so much for this. It completely makes my day. So many people stumble on my blog looking for more information on him…and you are so appreciated by all his fans overseas for this, who can’t get to the same news and information as Korean fans can. His voice and style is so unique and he has really touched many people just with one song, because you can feel his depth and the fact that he truly enjoys making music–the greatest quality in a musician. And I also love his lyrics (the songs I can decipher…and thanks for that translation too!!). His live performance of Bi Sang that I just stumbled on youtube was so amazing too.
Many, many thanks, sarahbeans!
The older you get, the more complicated life is. “20 versus 30″. Thank you for sharing this meaningful song.
I’m usually attached to songs rather than the artists who wrote and/or sang them. Maybe a successful game of chance might change this.
leaving my email! almost missed the deadline!.
I just listened to the songs you’ve posted and they’re really very nice!
I just discovered your site recently and I’m very happy that I have; you give me a lot more to think about when I watch kdramas and our tastes seem to be very similar so I tend to poke around your dramabeans.com whenever I feel like I need a different drama to watch.
E-mail included!
Can I also just say: thanks for the info on his own thoughts on his music, and the insight into his personal life. That’s something we fans really don’t get to read about much and its such a treat to read about. Thanks again!
Wow! I’m glad I saw this today. I hope I get chosen. I love “Be My Love” and the U&Me Blue songs in the “…ing” soundtrack, but I didn’t know anything about Yi Sung Yol or Lee Seung Yeol. Thank you for featuring him in your blog!
I hope I get chosen to receive one of the CDs!
Oh! Listenng to the “…ing” sountrack now. I just realized that he also sang the seventh song “gi da rim.” I like his songs/compositions!
interesting! I love sampling all the music you post on this website =)
[...] thank Javabeans enough for this post on YSY, like a gift for us information-starved fans. http://www.dramabeans.com/2008/06/profilegiveaway-2-yi-sung-yol/ It has so much information on his music, his background with UMe&Blue, his personal journey [...]
I like his songs. My favourite: 20 vs. 30
Have a nice day… =)
hi this is a nice discovery! i think he sings well and he has a unique sound in his songs. i’m wondering how come i cant download the songs because in zSHARE after clicking the link to download, there’s no downloading? is it possible to post the files again? sorry to trouble!
This is a post that I just discovered… I heard him in the clazziquai’s song “Be My Love” since then I was trying to find some info about him…. I didn’t know all this time you had it in your space….anyway thank you so much . I believe his voice is awsome… and “20 vs 30″ is the stage I am….
Cheers!!!
one question, where i can get the songs you posted??? …. thanks
Hi! Could someone help me please.
I loved the soundtrack of the movie “…ing”, the music director of it was of it was Bang Joon-Seok (방준석) (from U&Me Blue), he wrote and composed most of the songs. Yi Sung Yol even sings track 07 (기다림).
Anyway, when I tried to find the soundtrack tracklist to edit the tags of the MP3s, in some places they say some of the songs were performed by U&Me Blue and in others it says these tracks were performed by 블루 인 그린 (Blue In Green).
Is ‘블루 인 그린 (Blue In Green)’ another name of U&Me Blue or is it associated with Bang Joon-Seok and or Yi Sung Yol? If not, which are exactly the tracks performed by U&Me Blue besides ‘Bird’?
javabeans,
have you heard his cover of WG’s Nobody in Music Travel La La? its just amazing ~~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVTkfKLBRn4