The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Entertainment & Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Fri, July 1, 2022 | 08:25
Sibling duo AKMU returns with star-studded collaboration album
Posted : 2021-07-26 19:55
Updated : 2021-07-28 10:45
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down
Lee Chan-hyuk, left, and Lee Su-hyun of sibling duo AKMU pose during an online press conference, Monday. Courtesy of YG Entertainment
Lee Chan-hyuk, left, and Lee Su-hyun of sibling duo AKMU pose during an online press conference, Monday. Courtesy of YG Entertainment

By Dong Sun-hwa

For the first time since its 2012 debut, brother-sister duo Akdong Musician (AKMU) has put out a collaboration album featuring some of the most attention-grabbing singers in the music scene: IU, Lee Sun-hee, Zion. T, Beenzino, Crush, Sam Kim and Choi Jung-hoon of indie rock band Jannabi.

When the names of AKMU's partners were disclosed, fans went wild, showing their excitement over the collaboration that would add more variety to the duo's eclectic discography.

"Just like Marvel's Avengers, we have joined hands with the heroes of the Korean music industry this time," AKMU's Lee Su-hyun said during an online press conference, Monday. The event took place a few hours before the release of AKMU's new retro-flavored album "NEXT EPISODE."

The lead single "NAKKA" ― meaning "falling down" in Korean ― features soloist IU. The two band members revealed they decided to ask IU to team up for the project, as she was, they thought, the best one to relay the song's message to the public.



"Through NAKKA, we wanted to tell people there always is someone supporting them even if they fall from the top. And after partnering up with IU, we thought it would be great to have more musicians involved in our other tunes."

Chan-hyuk, who took part in composing "NAKKA," cited the 2017 American musical drama film "The Greatest Showman" as his well of inspiration. Starring Hugh Jackman and Zac Efron, the movie revolves around the 19th-century entertainer P.T. Barnum and his circus.

"I was inspired by a scene portraying how the members of Barnum's circus supported him after he fell from grace," Chan-hyuk said. "They were telling him that they did not stay with him just because of his fame… For them, his failure was not a problem."

Veteran singer Lee Sun-hee, who had her heyday in the 1980s with hits like "Dear J" (1985) and "Fate" (2005), featured on "Battlefield," while singer-songwriter Zion. T lent his voice for "BENCH." Beenzino and Choi Jung-hoon featured on "Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock" and "Fight," respectively, with Crush and Sam Kim singing "Stupid Love Song" and "EVEREST."

"Our new album has a piercing message of transcending freedom," Chan-hyuk noted, adding that he coined the term "transcending freedom" to best describe the album.

"Transcending freedom refers to inner freedom, which allows people to remain unfazed by any external forces…. I strived to reflect this idea in all seven tracks of NEXT EPISODE."

Su-hyun added that Chan-hyuk, who mostly immersed himself in crafting AKMU's songs and writing their lyrics, played a more active role in vocal performance this time.

"Our fans will be able to hear Chan-hyuk's vocal prowess," she said.

Chan-hyuk wrapped up the session by delivering his goal with the album.

"In the past, I wanted to change the world and people through our music," he said. "But now, I know the beauty of diversity… I just hope our album can send a message of hope to those who need it."


Emailsunhwadong@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
LG
  • Will Japanese PM Kishida accept Yoon's olive branch?
  • Heavy downpour hits central regions [PHOTOS]
  • Minimum wage for next year increased 5% to 9,620 won
  • Major expressway in Seoul closed off due to heavy downpours
  • Samsung chief's daughter to attend Colorado College in fall
  • Hole-in-one golf insurance policy exploited by fraudsters
  • 'Tangible outcome' in arms deal with Poland expected soon
  • Jill Biden advises first lady Kim: "Just be yourself"
  • [INTERVIEW] 'New order takes root in fashion e-commerce industry'
  • LG, Hanwha, LS eye EV charging biz for future growth
  • [INTERVIEW] Park Hae-soo talks about differentiating his character in 'Money Heist' remake [INTERVIEW] Park Hae-soo talks about differentiating his character in 'Money Heist' remake
  • Korean studies struggle to grow despite success of K-pop, K-dramas Korean studies struggle to grow despite success of K-pop, K-dramas
  • 'Money Heist: Korea' ranks No. 2 on global Netflix chart 'Money Heist: Korea' ranks No. 2 on global Netflix chart
  • [INTERVIEW] Park Chan-wook says 'Decision to Leave' is sexy without sex scenes [INTERVIEW] Park Chan-wook says 'Decision to Leave' is sexy without sex scenes
  • [INTERVIEW] Bae Suzy shows another side in 'Anna' [INTERVIEW] Bae Suzy shows another side in 'Anna'
DARKROOM
  • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

    Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000 [PHOTOS]

  • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

  • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

  • Poor hit harder by economic crisis

    Poor hit harder by economic crisis

  • Roland Garros 2022

    Roland Garros 2022

The Korea Times
CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
Tel : 02-724-2114
Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
Date of registration : 2020.02.05
Masthead : The Korea Times
Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Introduction
  • History
  • Location
  • Media Kit
  • Contact Us
  • Products & Service
  • Subscribe
  • E-paper
  • Mobile Service
  • RSS Service
  • Content Sales
  • Policy
  • Privacy Statement
  • Terms of Service
  • 고충처리인
  • Youth Protection Policy
  • Code of Ethics
  • Copyright Policy
  • Family Site
  • Hankook Ilbo
  • Dongwha Group