Moving beyond acting and broadcasting to become singers… Middle-aged stars are releasing singles one after another. Could this be more than just a one-time event and a chance for a total image makeover?
These stars are using music to soften images hardened by intense characters or to reveal unexpected charms that the public never knew about. There is growing interest in whether these music releases will be more than just simple events, offering a fresh twist to the public and opening new doors for their careers.
First up, actor Park Sung-woong released the single “Spring Days Come” on April 16.
Since debuting as an actor in 1997, Park Sung-woong has built his reputation through various works, including the dramas “Taiwang Sasingi,” “King of Baking Kim Takgu,” and “Gaksital,” as well as the movies “Confidential Assignment” and “The Great Battle.” He left a particularly strong impression in the 2013 film “New World.”
In the film, Park Sung-woong played Lee Joong-gu, the managing director of Goldmoon, South Korea’s largest corporate crime organization. He was loved for leaving behind numerous iconic lines such as “I’ll give you a chance to live,” “Even if it’s time to go, one cigarette is fine, right?” and “It’s a perfect day to die.” However, combined with his strong features, he was often cast in “gangster” roles for a long time.
Then, last year, he grabbed attention by releasing his first single “Ajusshi” under the stage name No Gun. No Gun is short for “Singing Gangster,” a name chosen to directly confront his image from “New World.”
Park Sung-woong’s second single, “Spring Days Come,” is a song that depicts an unbreakable will and hope even in the face of endless trials. It sends a message of support to those who vow to rise again amidst broken dreams and fierce storms.
Park Sung-woong is currently appearing in the KBS2 mini-series “Simu-myeon Yeon-ri-ri.” He also has various upcoming projects, including the KBS2 epic drama “Munmu” and the movie “Okay Madam 2.”
Actor Kim Nam-gil also recently released music.
On March 26, Kim Nam-gil released the digital track and music video for the single “I’m Going to You.”
“I’m Going to You” is a track where Kim Nam-gil’s powerful yet refreshing vocals blend with a rock band sound. It tells the story of a man’s confession as he rushes to meet the person he loves, and the music video features Kim Nam-gil singing passionately against a backdrop of a blue sky.
On March 28, Kim Nam-gil captured hearts by performing the song live at his fan meeting “G.I.L” and on the KBS2 variety show “The Seasons – Sung Si-kyung’s Ear-Candy Boyfriend.” Fans reacted that he revealed a much softer and more sincere charm on stage, contrasting with his intense image as an actor.
Kim Nam-gil made a special appearance as Kim Gyun, the brother-in-law of Gi Su-jong (played by Ha Jung-woo), in the tvN drama “How to Become a Building Owner in Korea,” which ended on April 19. He is also scheduled to meet viewers in the new SBS drama “Nightmare,” slated for next year.
Actor Jung Woo added his own voice to his own project.
Jung Woo personally sang “Question,” the OST for his first directorial work “Jjang-gu,” which opened on the 22nd of last month.
“Jjang-gu” is a work that captures the cheerful and passionate challenge of Jjang-gu (played by Jung Woo), an audition genius who holds on and rises again with the sole wish of becoming an actor, despite repeated failures. It is a sequel to the 2009 film “Wish,” which is often called an “unofficial 10-million-viewer movie.”
The song “Question,” sung by Jung Woo, is a track that adds his clean voice to a retro and vintage pop ballad sound from the early 1980s. It offers comfort to youth standing at the daunting threshold of adulthood, conveying the meaning that even times of wandering are part of the process of moving toward a destination.
“Jjang-gu,” which leaves a deeper lingering impression thanks to Jung Woo’s voice, is currently screening in theaters nationwide.
Entertainer Moon Se-yoon also showed off his exceptional vocal skills.
On the 7th, Moon Se-yoon released a remake of the representative song “Airplane” by the co-ed group Turtles (Turtleman, Ji-i, Geumbi) along with rapper Hanhae and singer Chuu. Released by Turtles in 2006, “Airplane” was widely loved for its bright melody and heartwarming lyrics.
This remake was sparked by a cover performance by Hanhae and Moon Se-yoon on KBS2’s “The Seasons – Park Bo-gum’s Cantabile” last July. In particular, Moon Se-yoon garnered attention for a voice reminiscent of the late Turtleman, which led to the official release of the song.
Having debuted as an SBS 6th special recruitment comedian in 2003, Moon Se-yoon has been loved through comedy programs like “Utchatsa” and “Comedy Big League.” Recently, he has been active in various variety shows such as “Tasty Guys,” “Amazing Saturday,” and “2 Days & 1 Night.”
Notably, Moon Se-yoon released the single “I’m Secretly Shy” in 2021 under the stage name “Bukkeu-ttung.” Last year, he continued his musical activities by forming the project unit “Han Moon-cheol” with Hanhae. He recently signaled an expansion of his activities by signing an exclusive contract with his agency, SM C&C.
