Ballad King Shin Seung-hun Returns After a Decade with 35th Anniversary Album 'Sincerely Melodies'

Veteran singer Shin Seung-hun, affectionately known as the 'King of Ballads,' has made a comeback after a 10-year hiatus with his 12th full-length album, 'SINCERELY MELODIES,' celebrating his 35th debut anniversary.

During a press conference held on the 22nd, Shin Seung-hun expressed his desire to prove he is still an active artist, stating, "Releasing a commemorative album would be too cliché for my style after 35 years. I wanted to fill this album with 11 new tracks to show I am still a singer in the present."

The album title, 'SINCERELY MELODIES,' signifies "melodies completed from the heart." Shin Seung-hun personally produced and composed all the songs. He shared, "I approached this album as if it were my last," explaining that while his passion and emotional intensity might have mellowed compared to the past, he poured meticulous effort into each song.

Featuring double title tracks, 'Gravity of You' and 'TRULY,' the album delves into profound reflections on life. 'Gravity of You' harmoniously blends acoustic and electric guitar sounds to portray the emotions surrounding the beginning, end, and aftermath of love. 'TRULY' is a ballad capturing the sincere realization of love that comes with time.

On the new album, Shin Seung-hun also experiments with the city pop genre for the first time in the track 'Luv Playlist,' expanding his musical spectrum. This time, he opted for a "song camp" approach, creating the album in various locations like Gapyeong and Cheongpyeong, a departure from his past home studio recordings.

Shin Seung-hun is scheduled to hold his 35th-anniversary solo concerts on November 1st and 2nd at the Olympic Hall in Olympic Park, Seoul. Reflecting on the comeback of his 90s rival, Kim Gun-mo, he remarked with a laugh, "It feels like we planned it, but our comebacks just happened to coincide." He added, "It's inspiring to see other artists like Lim Jae-bum also making a return."

Attention is focused on whether the 'King of Ballads' can reignite a ballad craze in the K-pop scene, which is currently dominated by idol music. Shin Seung-hun explained, "Korean ballads embody the emotion of 'han' (deep sorrow or regret)." He added, "In 'Invisible Love,' if I had wept excessively, it wouldn't have been well-received. I held back my tears while singing, leaving the listeners to cry."

Shin Seung-hun is a prominent singer-songwriter who defined Korean ballad music in the 1990s, earning him the title 'King of Ballads.' His music, characterized by delicate emotional depth and exceptional vocal prowess, has garnered immense popularity. He has left an indelible mark on the music industry by delivering timeless emotions through numerous hit songs.