Singer Im Jae-beom, celebrating his 40th debut anniversary, thought of the fans who have always stood by him. Out of gratitude to his fans, Im Jae-beom returned with the greatest gift he can give: "music."
Im Jae-beom held a press conference at Ilji Art Hall in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, starting at 2 p.m. on the 17th to commemorate the release of the pre-release track "Insa" from his eighth full-length album and the holding of his 40th debut anniversary national tour concert. On that day, Im Jae-beom expressed his feelings about celebrating his 40th debut anniversary and his gratitude to the fans who have supported him for a long time.
Im Jae-beom, who began his music career in 1986 as the vocalist of the band Sinawe, celebrates his 40th debut anniversary this year. To mark the occasion, he opened the curtain on his eighth full-length album with this year's new song "Insa," and will meet fans through the national tour concert "I am Im Jae-beom."
On celebrating his 40th debut anniversary this year, Im Jae-beom said, "When I was young and first started music, I mistakenly thought I could do everything without fear. After 10 years, 20 years, 30 years passed, each thing became frightening and scary, and I worried whether I was doing it right," adding, "It gets harder as time goes on."
The pre-release track "Insa" from the eighth full-length album, released today (17th) at 6 p.m., is a new work announced about three years after the seventh full-length album "Seven Comma (SEVEN,)" in 2022, and is a pop-gospel style song that fully contains feelings of apology and gratitude toward fans.
Lyricist Chae Jung-eun, who collaborated on the birth of Im Jae-beom's hits such as "Gohye," "For You," and "Emergency," rejoined to complete a message with depth. For Im Jae-beom, "Insa" is a lyrical letter to the fans who have been with him for the past 40 years, a prayer of thanks for believers, and for someone, a message of gratitude to his mother.
About his first new song in three years, "Insa," Im Jae-beom said, "The lyrics really hit me," adding, "When I record other songs, I don't look back at the lyrics after recording, but with this song I looked back at the lyrics after recording. It made me choke up."
He added, "'Insa' can be a thank-you message to fans, gratitude to God, and an infinite thank-you for what my mother gave me. I hope people will take it as a message of thanks to those who gave endless love."
There was also a reason he chose "Insa" as the pre-release track for the 40th anniversary project. Im Jae-beom explained, "For the 40th anniversary, there is nothing I can give fans but songs. I wanted to express my gratitude, and I thought it would be better to leave something memorable with the fans rather than only saying it in words."
In particular, Im Jae-beom drew attention by saying that another song almost became the pre-release track but he insisted on "Insa." He said he choked up when checking the lyrics of "Insa," and added, "There are many faces that make me choke up, but my daughter came to mind first. That's the point that made me choke up." Im Jae-beom also revealed his tender feelings toward his daughter, saying, "During adolescence there must be things you can only say to your mother, and I'm sorry as a father for making her go through that without her mother."
In addition, Im Jae-beom's new album includes songs in the pop-ballad genre, such as "The time you come," which he had not tried before. Longtime partner and producer Park Ki-deok, Mad Soul Child's 14o2, who created the OST "Dear" for the film The Man from Nowhere and Im Jae-beom's "Love," and lyricist Kim Eana joined forces.
Reflecting on changes in himself over 40 years of musical life, Im Jae-beom said, "In the past, when I entered the recording studio I was overflowing with confidence and sometimes over-sang. I often felt satisfied alone and thought, 'This is enough,' but now even when I think I'm okay, I check again. So it has become increasingly difficult to be satisfied," he confessed.
Im Jae-beom also mentioned "the years" regarding how his image has changed from a formerly intense, charismatic one. He said, "Maybe because of age, the edges are no longer sharp and the pointed sting has been drawn out. It feels like Dongbe grandfather," adding, "There were many ups and downs, and I thank the fans who stayed with me and supported me during that time." He frequently expressed repeated gratitude to the fans who give him so much love despite not releasing albums or performing often.
Although Im Jae-beom has lived a 40-year musical life, he was uncomfortable with the epithet "legend." He shook his head and said, "People like teacher Cho Yong-pil are legends. I don't yet have the seniority to deserve that epithet."
With the release of his eighth full-length album, Im Jae-beom will hold the 40th debut anniversary national tour concert "I am Im Jae-beom" starting in November. This concert, held about 2 years and 8 months after Im Jae-beom's national tour concert "The road home..." which continued from 2022 to 2023, will begin with a performance in Daegu on Nov. 29, followed by Incheon in Dec., and additional performances are planned across the country including Seoul next year.
About the 40th anniversary national tour concert, Im Jae-beom said, "I plan to unfold the past 40 years one by one as storytelling. From Sinawe to the eighth full-length album, I'll select and stage the songs I want to play one by one," and he previewed songs such as "Gohye," "Emergency," and "For You."
As Im Jae-beom revealed, this concert is expected to be an opportunity to look back on his 40-year musical journey and share the deep resonance contained in his life and music with fans. Having produced numerous hits such as "Gohye," "For You," "Emergency," "When this night passes," "A wound deeper than love," "Tattoo," and "Love," Im Jae-beom is expected to present his sincerity and sensibility through this concert. Fans anticipate being able to experience Im Jae-beom's representative songs, containing 40 years of time, with an even deeper sensitivity.
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