Fall Symphony: Ballad Comebacks Flood the Charts, From Legends to Rising Stars

As the summer heat subsides and a cool breeze ushers in autumn, the soothing melodies of ballads are making a strong comeback.

Following in the footsteps of legendary singers like Lim Jae-bum and Shin Seung-hun, newer ballad artists such as Huh Gak and Lee Chang-sub are also releasing new music. Come December, Jeong Seung-hwan, often called the 'Ballad Crown Prince,' is set to hold a concert for his fans.

Shin Seung-hun has returned with his first full-length album in a decade, 'Sincerely Melodies.' He confidently presented double title tracks, 'Gravity Called You' and 'Truly,' alongside 11 other songs, including the pre-released track 'She Was,' which he personally penned. He will also be holding his 35th-anniversary concert on November 1st and 2nd at the Olympic Hall in Seoul, featuring his new songs.

Dubbed the 'Tiger Vocalist,' Lim Jae-bum is embarking on a nationwide tour starting November 29th in Daegu to celebrate his 40th debut anniversary. Fans eagerly anticipate his live performance of the newly released song 'Greeting,' dropped on the 17th. Another legend, Kim Gun-mo, is also breaking a six-year silence to resume his music activities.

The younger generation is also joining the ballad wave. Huh Gak released his single 'September 24th' on the 23rd, reinterpreting a 2021 original with his signature warm sensibility. His vocals start softly over a lyrical piano melody, maintaining restrained emotion until a confession-like climax in the latter half, offering a poignant charm distinct from the original.

Lee Chang-sub, a member of the top vocal group BTOB and a master of remakes, is also returning. He is set to release his second solo mini-album, 'Farewell, Lee-byeol,' in October. This album comes about a year after his first full album, '1991,' released last October. His remake of Can's 'Heavenly Love' topped the charts in 2024, and his recent hit 'One More Farewell' has heightened anticipation for his new music.

The broadcast industry is also focusing on ballads. MBC's 'How Do You Play?' has set a ballad mood with 7080 music, featuring artists like Lee Juck, Ha Dong-kyun, and Woodz, enchanting viewers. SBS launched 'Our Ballad,' an audition program seeking new voices for 2025 to re-sing beloved ballads from the past. Jeong Seung-hwan, serving as a judge and known as the 'Ballad Crown Prince,' will hold his solo concert '2025 Jeong Seung-hwan's Goodbye, Winter' from December 5th to 7th, marking his first fan meeting in three years.

This surge in ballad popularity is attributed not only to the changing seasons but also to a potential fatigue with the repetitive nature of fast-paced K-pop tracks. As criticism grows over the formulaic melodies and hooking techniques in some K-pop, there's a renewed interest in ballads that delve deep into emotion and in nostalgic old songs. A music industry insider commented, 'Ballads in autumn are almost a tradition, but the diverse search for ballads this year also stems from K-pop fatigue. Ballads have always been a popular genre in Korea, and with so many talented vocalists, the ballad craze is expected to continue strongly this year.'

Huh Gak debuted in 2010 after winning the Mnet survival show 'Superstar K2.'

Lee Chang-sub debuted as a member of the group BTOB in 2012 and is active as their main vocalist.

Jeong Seung-hwan gained significant popularity after appearing on SBS's 'K-pop Star Season 4' in 2014, where he was hailed as 'Superstar.'