Singer Lim Hyun-jung has returned to music after a long wait.
Lim Hyun-jung released her 6th studio album 'Extraordinary' on various online music sites on the 26th of last month. This is her first studio album in 19 years and a new release after 6 years. She participated in the writing and composing of all tracks once again, revealing her own musical world sincerely.
This album includes a total of 12 tracks, including the title track 'The Way to Me is Beautiful', 'The Butterfly', 'Talking of Eternity', and 'Youth (London Version)'. The album broadens the musical spectrum through a diverse sound that crosses genres such as rock, jazz, classical, and folk, and the collaboration with the London Symphony Orchestra, along with renowned musicians like Matt Dunkley and Geoff Foster, greatly enhances the album's completeness.
Through this album, Lim Hyun-jung expressed the emotional strands she faced for a long time through music. This work, which delicately unravels the emotions she confronted while reflecting on herself, delivers a more sincere resonance than ever.
Lim Hyun-jung, who announced her welcome comeback, personally shared the behind-the-scenes of the album's production and her thoughts on the work.
Below is Lim Hyun-jung's Q&A
Q1. What kind of album is the 6-year-awaited new song release and 19-year-awaited studio album 'Extraordinary'?
▶ This 6th studio album is completed after 9 years of work that started in 2016. As a singer-songwriter, I wrote the lyrics and composed all the songs, as well as produced it, but I don't think I can say that I am completely satisfied or that I love it. However, since I made it with all my efforts to the end of my limitations, I would like to say it is an album that I love in terms of completeness.
When it comes to the album, I think the sound is enjoyable enough to listen to. You can hear the meeting of genres like rock, jazz, classical, and folk with pop music through the performance of the London Symphony Orchestra. Lyrically, my personal thoughts and life philosophy from 2008, when I took a break from music, to 2024 are incorporated into the lyrics, so I hope you listen widely.
Q2. You directly participated in writing and composing all the songs. How did the song work proceed, and which song contains the most thought?
▶ I gradually started working in London from 2018, and from 2021, I began to collaborate extensively with Geoff Foster and Matt Dunkley. The arrangement direction was coordinated through video meetings and image sharing, and each song was completed after a minimum of 3 to 8 re-recordings and vocal coaching. By exchanging countless emails, I was able to explain my life and the songs, the background of the compositions and lyrics, and I think the recording process was a meaningful experience in life. It was difficult to pick one song that I am particularly attached to; I poured energy equally into all the songs.
Q3. What message does the title track 'The Way to Me is Beautiful' convey?
▶ First of all, the collaboration with a choir of over 40 and an orchestra of over 75, totaling 115 performers, delivers a very beautiful and grand emotion. Before entering the title arrangement, during a Zoom meeting with Geoff Foster and Matt Dunkley, I suggested imagining what Napoleon's psychological state or feelings might have been like when he crossed the Alps to reach Vienna.
This song expresses the feelings of challenging what one believed was impossible and eventually tasting joy through unexpected success, regardless of the circumstances. "The Way to Me" ultimately symbolizes the process of knowing oneself through the journey of life. The song conveys that even if that path is one of hardship and trials, it can eventually lead to beautiful joy.
Q4. How was the collaboration with the 75-member London Symphony Orchestra? I'm also curious about the atmosphere on site.
▶ I couldn't help but admire while working together how an orchestra of that caliber is so open and flexible to various genres of music, such as pop and jazz. The passion and understanding for sound and music were not at a level I could mention from my perspective. The atmosphere during the recording was majestic yet warm and lively. It's an experience I miss sometimes.
Q5. What kind of stimulus did working with world-class musicians like Geoff Foster and Matt Dunkley provide?
▶ Personally, Geoff Foster was the best collaborator. He seemed like a person born for music, as he was so devoted, focused, and understanding of my music, which surprised me a lot. His focus brought my capabilities to their maximum potential.
Working with Matt Dunkley also provided great stimulus for me as an arranger; I pondered how to create such original and beautiful arrangements. Both of them seemed to consider not whether someone did well or poorly but whether I understood my song properly and showed passion. Both of them led sincere work not only with their skills but also with warm personalities.
Q6. Collaborations with domestic artists like Shin Yoon-cheol and Jung Dong-hwan also stand out. How did you come together?
▶ Guitarist Shin Yoon-cheol has been one of my most beloved Korean guitarists since I debuted. He has done guitar recordings and live sessions on many tracks for my 2nd, 3rd, and 4th albums, and he participated in this album as a backing vocalist for 'The Butterfly.' Pianist Jung Dong-hwan is also one of my most cherished performers. Despite his busy schedule, he came all the way to London, and we created wonderful results together in a studio with a very special piano.
Q7. What message do you want to convey to listeners through this album?
▶ I hope people love themselves and others as they are and live freely. Those are the values I sincerely wish for the most.
Q8. Do you have any musical plans or activities for the future?
▶ I plan to return to London in mid-July to prepare for the recording of the gospel version of 'The Way to You is Beautiful.' CD and LP releases are also scheduled. After that, I intend to spend some quiet time without music work for a while to recharge and think calmly about ways to communicate more deeply with my listeners.
[Photo] Charlie Clift
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