'The Ballad of Us' TOP6 Lee Yejie, Lee Jihoon and Song Jiwoo finish the competition and continue to pursue further growth and challenges.
In December last year, SBS survival program "The Ballad of Us" ended. After the arduous competition, Lee Yejie, Lee Jihoon and Song Jiwoo immediately embarked on a nationwide tour concert, meeting fans across the country.
Starting in Seongnam and moving to major cities including Daegu, Seoul, Busan and Daejeon, Lee Yejie said, "It felt real that so many people came to see us. Hearing about sold-out shows made me feel that many people were interested and liked what we did, and afterward I actually felt regret. I was left wanting more of the stage. I hoped that after performing I would think 'I did well,' but I still feel I haven't shown performances that make me feel that way, so I feel regretful. It was also my first time having the opportunity to hold a concert in front of so many people, which doesn't happen often. While doing the nationwide tour I thought, 'I can still do more but it's already over,' and I learned a lot," she said.
Song Jiwoo added, "After the competition ended and we held concerts, my mindset when singing was different. During the competition it felt like I was going to sing, but during the concert it felt more like going to meet (the audience), so it was fun," she said, sounding excited.
Lee Jihoon said, "Because many people who enjoyed watching the competition came to the concerts, I worked hard to convey the emotion of the competition as it was. After the shows I felt they were performances that left many regrets. I don't know if I can ever give a perfect performance in my life, but I noticed that it also varied depending on my condition on a given day. After doing many performances, there were days I could deliver the emotion I gave on one day and days I couldn't, and that was regrettable," and added, "It made me resolve and pledge to become a singer who gradually reduces those regrets."
Lee Yejie proved her skills by winning "The Ballad of Us." Known for her distinctive husky voice, she recalled, "I originally didn't know much about ballad, so I applied with the idea of studying the ballad genre," when she first decided to appear on "The Ballad of Us." Saying she learned a lot through the competition, Lee Yejie explained what she focused on during performances: "When I sing I tried to capture my speaking voice tone as much as possible. Since I'm reinterpreting existing ballads, I needed my own interpretation. So I concentrated on putting my voice tone in and interpreting the emotions in my own way when singing."
Song Jiwoo, praised for her attractive tone, majored in classical vocal music in middle school. Although she later gave up classical vocal studies and attended a general high school, her thirst for music only grew. She eventually restarted music on her own and challenged "The Ballad of Us" with the thought, "I want to meet many friends who make music," ultimately finishing sixth. She said, "I applied thinking I should try to overcome stage fright, and because I deal with nerves by practicing a lot, I think I became less nervous over time," adding, "While competing I thought a lot about what stories my voice could carry. Every time I sang a song I focused on understanding it and singing with that understanding."
Runner-up Lee Jihoon said he was drawn to the logo reading 'From Lee Moon-sae to IU' and applied to "The Ballad of Us." After entering high school and improving through practice, he wanted to show his developed skills. He said, "While competing I focused on creating a story. I made rounds 4–5 into one story, focusing on a story in which the feeling of not wanting to let go of my parents grows until I am able to let them go."
After "The Ballad of Us" ended, the three spent busy days with their own musical activities in addition to the nationwide tour. As the winner of "The Ballad of Us," Lee Yejie appeared on MBC survival "Ones" to compete for the title of "the best of the best," seeking once again to prove her skills and capabilities. Having finished in sixth place and ending her journey just short of the final, Lee Yejie said with regret, "My fellow 'The Ballad of Us' members watched the broadcasts and cheered me on a lot, so I feel a bit sorry. It wasn't that I wanted to win first place more than anything, but I came out representing 'The Ballad of Us,' and I still feel regretful that I couldn't show a truly great stage."
Meanwhile, Song Jiwoo was the first participant in SM C&C 708090 remake project "SM:ALL ROOM," and on the 10th of last month she promoted on music shows with a remake of Lee Eun-ha's classic song, the new track "Bombi (Spring Rain)." She said, "It's an existing song and a classic, so I felt a lot of pressure. I worried I might ruin the song. Still, I thought if I kept the atmosphere of the classic and added my color, people might like it, so I 고민ed a lot about how to sing it comfortably, beautifully and well," adding, "Music shows are scarier than I expected. I really felt like I had debuted. I felt a bit lonely without my 'The Ballad of Us' friends. Still, friends came to cheer sometimes so I could perform without being too nervous," she recalled.
On the 20th at 6 p.m., Lee Jihoon will release the digital single "A decent person" through music sites and begin full album activities. "A decent person" is a song composed and written in part by singer-producer Yoon Jongshin. Lee Jihoon said, "It's a song about someone who quietly watches over me when I'm struggling and want to give up. In this song I focused more on singing as if speaking in conversation rather than singing. Producer Yoon Jongshin told me during recording, 'Don't sing, give comfort,' which was a turning point. That became what made the song better," pointing out the song's key points.
From the competition of "The Ballad of Us" to the present, the three have experienced a variety of things and have grown step by step. Lee Yejie said, "I think place and environment are actually very important for singers. Touring various venues nationwide taught me a lot about how to capture the sense of being there. I learned a lot about how to stage a show, what fans find better or boring parts, and such," adding, "So I think I will appear more grown during the encore concert."
Song Jiwoo said, "During concerts the audience is present, so the feeling is very different from competitions. I tend to tremble a lot, so at first I couldn't make eye contact with the audience. But as time went on I was able to make eye contact and convey things to the audience, which I think is growth."
Lee Jihoon also said, "The concert stage was wider than the competition stage. So I thought about how to convey myself to people in this wide space. I decided to think of each large audience member as if they were having a one-on-one conversation with me, and that became a clear growth point. After that I was able to perform more candidly and like I was talking."
Riding the popularity of the nationwide tour concerts, Lee Yejie, Lee Jihoon and Song Jiwoo, along with the TOP6 members, will hold encore concerts for two days on the 9th and 10th of next month at Olympic Hall in Olympic Park to keep the momentum going. When asked about the difference specific to the encore concert, Lee Yejie hinted, "When we did the nationwide tour concerts we only performed songs from 'The Ballad of Us,' but this time there are songs we did on 'Ubaladio,' and I also have a stage I showed on 'Ones.' We made a diverse setlist. And since the concert is in May, and May is family month, we planned many stages at the end to target the hearts of families."
He added, "The nationwide tour concerts used a similar setlist across regions. We thought different people would come to each area, so we kept it similar, but surprisingly many people came to see every show. So for the encore concert we put together something a bit different and special. Also it's a TOP6 concert and other friends will appear as guests, so I think it will be good," raising expectations. It was said they prepared many stages in new combinations just for the encore concert that they couldn't show on broadcast.
After the competition the three signed exclusive contracts with SM C&C and will meet the public as solo singers with their own music beyond being participants of "The Ballad of Us." Lee Yejie said, "I want to try band music. Ballad is a genre centered on emotion, and while expressing emotion through singing is very important, I also think the emotional support from the accompaniment is important. So I thought about understanding other instruments and doing band music," sharing the music she wants to make.
Song Jiwoo said, "Since my voice is a strength and people said the lyrics are easy to hear, I'd like to participate in OSTs. I want to try calm and composed songs, like writing a letter," and Lee Jihoon said, "My first goal is to be called Lee Jihoon, stepping out of the mold of MZ Kim Kwang-seok. Ultimately my goal is to create rhythmic songs or anthems like senior Lee Chanhyuk and build a concert setlist around them."
In particular, the three expressed a strong desire to be singer-songwriters. They are currently writing lyrics and composing themselves. Lee Yejie said, "I want to create songs that make people know what kind of person I am after listening to my entire album. I want to make songs that feel like records," and added, "My goal is to make an album solely of songs I wrote and composed and have that album be recognized."
Song Jiwoo said, "I want to weave my experiences into songs so others can empathize. I want music that paints scenes," adding, "My goal is to perform many times in small theaters with my own songs."
Lee Jihoon said, "I want to infuse many of my experiences. There are many things in the world that inspire me, so it's a little hard to say exactly what emotions I want to include, but if I release an album I want to make a story of eight to nine tracks into one album. Each song is important, but my goal is to make an album where you can clearly see what story the whole album wants to tell. These days people don't seem to listen to lyrics much. I think if a singer appears who makes people listen to lyrics again, people might focus on lyrics, so I want to be that singer. Living like that, when I become a singer who can fill concert halls I want to return to small theaters and communicate with people every day," he said.
"The Ballad of Us" has already confirmed season 2 and is recruiting new participants. When asked about the burden of being the "invited winner" who will follow her going forward, Lee Yejie said, "It's a burden but it's also wonderful. Of course I don't think I won because my singing was superior to other contestants. I think I was really lucky to make it. Because of that I got the opportunity to appear on 'Ones' and received many love calls from many places, for which I'm very grateful. Still, as the winner I will work hard so I'm not forgotten."
She added, "Once I received a short message via Instagram DM. That person said, 'I always support you. Thank you for reminding me of my late father.' Seeing that felt like being struck on the head," and continued, "I love the fans and I'm so grateful. We prepared the encore concert so you won't regret coming, so I think you and your families will be even more moved if you come as a family. I really hope you come to the encore concert."
Lee Jihoon also expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support, saying, "People cheered for me, but I tend to be bad at expressing gratitude. I'm awkward at showing those things, but I'm always thankful, and the words of support keep me going one by one."
Song Jiwoo also said, "First of all, please come a lot to the encore concert," adding, "I get a lot of messages but I'm bad at replying. I can't reply to just one person. Still, I'm always grateful for the support, and I'm so thankful I don't know if I deserve it."
[photo] OSEN Park Joonhyung reporter
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