AKMU's Lee Chan-hyuk Proves His Midas Touch with Hyundai Collaboration Single 'We Wish'

Lee Chan-hyuk of the sibling duo AKMU is once again demonstrating that great content transcends platforms, as his recently released punk carol 'We Wish,' a collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, is receiving widespread public acclaim.

'We Wish' serves as the first insert song for Hyundai Motor's year-end brand campaign, 'Hyundai Wish Tale.' In this project, Lee Chan-hyuk took on the role of the main character, 'Snow Wishman,' contributing to both the music production and acting.

The song, featured in an approximately 11-minute promotional video, was written and composed by Lee Chan-hyuk himself, designed to expand upon the message of the campaign movie. He shared, "Punk carol is an uncommon genre, but I infused it with both warmth and energy," adding, "I hope it becomes a time to share warm hearts with loved ones."

While it functions as a Christmas carol, the song notably omits the word 'Christmas.' Instead, its realistic lyrics, touching on themes like 'insomnia,' 'the busy commute,' and 'wishing for miracles in hospitals like white snow,' evoke a profound sense of empathy. This remake of 'I Wish a Merry Christmas,' infused with Lee Chan-hyuk's unique sensibility, possesses an enduring charm that never grows tiresome.

The piece is praised for showcasing the power of a true artist, delivering simple yet deep emotional impact. In a paradoxical turn of events, viewers who opt for YouTube Premium to skip advertisements are reportedly watching the full 11-minute 'ad' just to listen to the song. Those wishing for miracles in hospitals find themselves unexpectedly moved to tears. The video, featuring scenes of people making wishes on the first snowfall, accompanied by 'We Wish,' captivates both sight and sound despite its extended duration.

Although not yet officially released as a digital single, the full promotional video on Hyundai Motor's official YouTube channel surpassed 1.03 million views within a week, with a version focusing solely on the music garnering 400,000 views. This remarkable achievement was accomplished without significant promotional marketing on a channel with 370,000 subscribers.

Since his debut, Lee Chan-hyuk has consistently expanded his unique artistic universe, realizing his childhood aspiration of "making the world happy" through his music. His participation in the 'The Wish Snowman' project stems directly from this core belief. He stated, "I participated because I felt it was a project where I could realize the message of hope and love, even indirectly."

Netizens are showering praise, with comments like 'As expected of Lee Chan-hyuk,' 'Waiting for the official release even though it's just an ad,' and 'I cried so much.' The song's unique emotional resonance is highly appreciated.