151

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 ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

 

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 ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Yi Sung Yol – “비상” (emergency) from the OST of Wonderful Days. [ Download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 

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 ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Yi Sung Yol – “다행-믿어지니” (Do you believe it?). [ Download ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

 
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 ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

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 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 ]

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.


      Twenty years old, all aflutter, the world was beautiful.
As though love were easy, and promises too.

Like coffee and cigarettes, strong and bitter
When those young nights passed,
tears flowed, reason unknown.

Even when facing the world, feeling stripped naked,
I couldn’t feel fear
in those days of freedom and time of love.
That’s the me I miss.

Thirty years old, I await another start.
It’s like keeping promises, and love.
Wearied hearts hold their ground.
And when it’s hard to endure,
and tears flow, reason unknown,

I face the world once again,
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.

커피와 담배처럼 진하고 또, 독한
젊은 밤이 지날 땐
나도 몰래 눈물이 흘렀다.

벌거벗은 채로 세상을 맞서도
두려움 느낄 수 없었던
자유롭던 날들 사랑했던 시간
그리운 내 모습이여

서른 살 은 기다림 또 다른 시작을.
약속을 지키듯이 사랑도 그렇다.
녹스는 가슴으로 버텨내는 시간
견디기 힘들어서
나도 몰래 눈물이 흐를 때

다시 한 번 여기 세상을 맞서는
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: , , ,

151

Required fields are marked *

I'm in love with his voice -- thanks for sharing.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

thanks for your entries! i enjoy reading them everyday n________nV
also thanks for throwing out giveaways!! so niicee! THANKS!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow, perfect timing, he's become one of my recent faves!
Ps awesome blog :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Wow! Guess I came back from my vacation on time :D. Haha. Just went to the Caribbeans for a post-graduation trip :D. Glad to be back! Thanks for the give-away!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I want to participate!
( crossing my finger.. :P )

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Here's to winning some CD's for the wifey!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

hoping....

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Oh, awesome! I like this artist :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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. ^^

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Leaving my e-mail. I love Lee Seung Yeol! (:

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Ah this is the guy from QSS soundtrack, which remains my favourite KDrama soundtrack ever.

*crosses fingers and hopes to win*

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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!!)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Sounds good. The singer and the present.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

his voice is really unique. it's not like THAT great, but it's not bad.
but his style is cool. :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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!! :D

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

I'm crossing my fingers! :0)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

hi
i have left my email. i'm a regular reader and love love love your blog. good job, keep it up.
thanks

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

ahh.. "be my love," the memories...

i'm attending suny binghamton this fall!!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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*

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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 ^_^

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

thanks for introducing me to another great musician. i love his voice. hope i win.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks! This is so cool, thanks for your wonderful blog!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

thanks for sharing!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

oh wow i'de love to listen to his songs
sounds real interesting
(leaving my email)
thanks!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Whoa cool, a giveaway! He seems very low-key, and his music and voice are fantastic!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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.

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

i totally love these great but overlooked artist posts!
did i mention that i love your blog? i guess only 92938492734 times :D

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

ill enter!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

ill enter!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for doing this! Appreciate it tons :)

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Leaving my email...thank you for the blogging. It's awesome!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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...

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for this giveaway, I'm a great fan of your site!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for sharing! This song rocks!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

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!

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *

Thanks for another giveaway....
I especially liked "푸른 너를 본다"

0
0
reply

Required fields are marked *