Yerin Baek Returns to Dramas with OST After 5 Years, Reimagines Carpenters' Classic

Singer Yerin Baek is making her highly anticipated return to drama soundtracks after a five-year hiatus. On the 14th at 6 PM, she will release 'Close To You (From 'Hundred Years of Memory')' through various online music platforms.

This new track is a fresh interpretation of the 1970s global hit '(They Long To Be) Close To You' by The Carpenters, brought to life by Yerin Baek's unique vocal color. While respecting the original song's pure and elegant essence, Baek has infused it with a vintage acoustic sensibility, crafting a sound that is both simple and warmly resonant.

The arrangement was a collaboration between drama music director Kwon Young-chan and singer-songwriter Kang Ji-won. They opted for a minimalist approach, meticulously capturing the breath and resonance of the instruments in a small space to imbue the entire song with an analog texture.

This release holds special significance as it marks Yerin Baek's first drama music participation since the tvN drama 'Crash Landing on You' approximately five years ago. Furthermore, it is the first official remake of The Carpenters' '(They Long To Be) Close To You' as a single, and it is expected to generate considerable buzz alongside the drama.

The drama 'Hundred Years of Memory' is a newtro youth melodrama set in the 1980s, depicting the shining friendship between bus conductresses Yeong-rye (Kim Da-mi) and Jong-hee (Shin Ye-eun), and the poignant first love story of Jae-pil (Heo Nam-joon) intertwined with them. Yerin Baek's lyrical voice and analog arrangement are poised to add profound resonance to the narrative, aligning with the characters' destined journeys.

Specifically, the song embraces an intimate and lyrical atmosphere, much like rediscovering an old vinyl record, and it reveals the purest essence of the emotion called love. By adding delicate texture to the drama's depiction of first love and friendship, it further heightens anticipation for the unfolding story. 'Close To You (From 'Hundred Years of Memory')' will be available on all major online music sites starting from 6 PM on the 14th.

Yerin Baek debuted in 2012 as a member of the duo 15& and began her solo career in 2015. She has established a unique position in the Korean indie music scene with her distinctive tone and exceptional songwriting abilities. Her delicate sensibility and trendy musical style have garnered a devoted fanbase both domestically and internationally.