By Kwon Mee-yoo
One of the greatest, iconic singers of Korea, Cho Yong-pil, 61, will hold concerts across the nation from May after a break of about two years.
Known for presenting hit songs in a sophisticated manner and on spectacular stages Cho Yong-pil’s performances are sure to thrill audiences spanning generations. The concert is titled "2011 Cho Yong-pil and the Great Birth Tour Concert _ Song of Wind." He will tour with his band “The Great Birth.”
Cho will fill the two and a half hour show with hit songs from "Return to Port Busan" and "Dear My Friend" to "The Leopard of Kilimanjaro" and "The Eye of the Sun."
The concert tour will kick off in Seoul at Gymnastics Stadium, Olympic Park on May 7 and continue onto Uijeongbu Stadium on June 4, Cheongju Stadium on June 11 and the Changwon Exhibition Convention Center on June 18.
In the latter half of the year, concerts are scheduled at Gyeongju Stadium on Sep. 24, Seongnam Sports Complex on Oct. 1, Kintex Ilsan on Nov. 19, Busan Exhibition and Convention Center on Nov. 26 and Exco Daegu on Dec. 3.
The concert venues have a capacity for audiences numbering up to 20,000 and Cho is expected to draw 100,000 fans through the nine concerts.
Debuting in 1979, the enduring artist released many albums including 18 studio as well as other live albums and compilations. Beginning with the first "The Woman outside the Window" album and lasting until the 18th, "Over the Rainbow," Cho explored a wide range of Korean music from rock & roll to trot (Korean traditional pop music) and inspired sympathy through his music.
Tickets cost 99,000 won to 154,000 won. Reservations can be made on ticket.interpark.com. Call 1544-1555 for more information.