Singer Jeong Seung-hwan noted that he honed his skills while practicing singing during his military service.
Recently, Jeong Seung-hwan conducted an interview to commemorate the release of his new digital single "In Spring" at the Antenna office located in Gangnam, Seoul, and shared stories about the new song.
Jeong Seung-hwan had entered active duty in July 2023 and completed a year and a half of service in the Army Band before being discharged in January.
After about a year and 11 months since his previous work "Epilogue," Jeong Seung-hwan announced his return and, when asked about the most significant aspect he focused on while preparing this album, answered, "Since there was almost a two-year hiatus, it was most important to focus on what I can do best as Jeong Seung-hwan, delivering my ballads and songs as well as possible. The music that captured what I could do best is ballads, and I aimed to convey that as effectively as possible. Now that considerable time has passed and my age has changed, I wanted to show a more mature image, both musically and vocally, which was a crucial point."
He revealed that he had several worries and anxieties in the army, saying, "Regardless, it was a time I had to go through, so I thought I should make good use of that time. As a singer, when contemplating how to utilize that time, practicing was my only option. Personally, it felt like a time of secluded training."
He added, "While serving in the military, I studied to further develop my singing and made continuous efforts whenever I had the chance. Since I cannot replay the time I spent idle as a singer, I wanted to develop myself so that when I returned, I could show an even better side."
Having served as a vocalist in the Army Band, Jeong Seung-hwan mentioned, "There was a practice space there, and the friends I lived with were vocal music majors, so it was mutually beneficial to teach and learn from each other. While serving in the army band, I participated in many performances, and I tried not to lose my stage sense. Fortunately, whenever I thought my time had stopped, the audiences at the venues I performed welcomed me warmly, and particularly, the soldiers were really supportive. Seeing that they enjoyed it gave me a lot of comfort regarding my worries and anxieties."
He became a topic of conversation when it was reported that he gained weight during military service, stating, "I gained about 10 kg. I was happy, but I wasn't happy when I looked in the mirror. Getting into soccer helped me lose weight gradually. Back then, I was eating three meals a day diligently, which caused me to gain weight quickly. I was happy at that time," he said with a laugh.
When asked about fellow singers like Woosung and NCT's Jaehyun, who are also serving in the Army Band, Jeong Seung-hwan explained, "We are in different units. I saw them during various performances where different army bands meet. Woosung is a friend I met in the military. We didn't know each other before, but we became friends in the army, being the same age. There were aspects where we relied on each other as fellow singers, and it was nice to see them. I also gained comfort in those moments." He added, "Actor Kim Min-jae was my junior. We spent time together, and he was a friend I met in the military, though I didn't know him outside. We became really reliant on each other since we are in the same industry and have the same age and situation."
Now, a decade has passed since he was a runner-up in SBS "K-Pop Star 4" in 2015, and Jeong Seung-hwan shared, "Reflecting on it now, I didn't really grasp it back then, but I feel like I was blessed with incredible fortune. I joined an audition program, received love, and had good results, and then, before officially debuting at Antenna, I met the song "If It Were You," and the song from my debut album also achieved good results on the charts. Looking back now, I wonder how that was even possible. It truly was a time filled with blessings."
He continued, "I feel like I've been able to use that time as a stepping stone, and I'm proud of how far I've come. As time has built up, the support I receive from those who have been cheering for me feels heavier and different. I feel deeply moved by the consistency of their support."
Now entering my 30s, he remarked, "I had high hopes for a wonderful decade, but I thought it wouldn't go as I imagined. But upon entering it, I find that nothing much has changed. The only desire that remains unchanged is the wish to keep improving as a singer, to sing better than before."
He added, "I always have the desire to keep improving as a singer and to sing well. I hope there will be more songs that are loved, and as I watch seniors like Sung Si-kyung, I often think about how remarkable their paths have been as I age. I wish to follow their footsteps and grow into a more sophisticated artist, aiming to firmly establish myself through a fulfilling 30s."
[Photo] Antenna
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