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| Members of boy band Shinhwa pose during a press conference held at Amoris Hall at Times Square in Seoul on Tuesday. The K-pop band recently released their new album "Heart." Yonhap |
By Kwak Yeon-soo
The longest-running K-pop band Shinhwa is back with a new album titled "Heart" in celebration of 20 years in the industry. This album comes over a year and a half after the release of its 13th studio album "Unchanging: Touch" in January 2017.
Shinhwa ― consisting of members Eric Mun, Lee Min-woo, Kim Dong-wan, Shin Hye-sung, Jun Jin and Andy Lee ― has continued to release albums and hold concerts under the management company its members established together in 2011. The legendary band is highly acclaimed for its unchanging teamwork and lineup.
The new album consists of six tracks including the lead single "Kiss Me Like That," a dance tune with addictive acoustic guitar riffs. Popular lyricist Kim Eana penned the song.
Singer-rapper Yoon Mi-rae features on the track "In the Air" and Pentagon's Hui helped compose and write the lyrics for the emotional love song "Don't Leave Me." The other songs included on the album are "LEVEL," "Here I Come" and "L.U.V."
The members opened up about the album name to explain its meaning and mark their 20th anniversary.
"The name Heart comes following our heartfelt gratitude to fans and our commitment to be on stage and off as Shinhwa as long as our hearts beat," leader Eric said during a press conference held at Amoris Hall in Seoul, Tuesday. "The 20th anniversary means a lot more to those who supported us and watched us come this far, especially our fans and colleagues."
In choosing the lead track, playing up their performance skills was an important factor. "Although we are named the longest-running K-pop band in existence, we want to stay trendy, chic and in vogue. That's why we displayed subtle dance moves, which appear more sophisticated and sexy," main dancer Min-woo said.
Dong-wan said there was no secret to staying together as a band for over 20 years; they were simply lucky. "If such a secret ever existed, all idol bands would've lasted without disbanding," he said. "We were just lucky in choosing the right thing at the right time."
He blasted the idol industry for following after Japan in the way they treat idols like disposable, mass-manufactured products. "When I see the harsh treatment and marginalization of girl groups in the music industry, I come to wonder whether feminism could ever bloom here in Korea," he said. "Everyone working in this industry should be aware of such problems and be able to raise questions when they are faced with wrongful acts."
The band will put on two days of concert performances on Oct. 6 and 7 at the Olympic Gymnastics Arena in southeastern Seoul.
"The arena is a meaningful place for us because we held our 10th anniversary concert there in 2008, as well as holding our comeback performance in 2012 after completing military services," Min-woo said. "I hear there will be new audio equipment and stage lighting, so we're really looking forward to it." Tickets start at 99,000 won and go on sale Sept. 3. Visit ticket.interpark.com for more information.
The six-member boy band debuted in 1998 with "Resolver." Their hit songs include "Hey, Come On," "Wild Eyes," "Brand New" and "This Love."
