The behind-the-scenes of the legendary singer Cho Yong-pil's Gocheok Dome concert, which captivated the Chuseok home theater, is released today (8th).
The KBS grand project 'Cho Yong-pil, This Moment Forever', broadcast on the day of Chuseok, October 6, recorded a nationwide rating of 15.7% (according to Nielsen Korea), receiving a warm response.
With 57 years of debut, a 20th album artist, and the original Hallyu star. The origin of the "Oppa Army" syndrome. With all these titles, Cho Yong-pil remains a unique presence in the Korean music industry. He returned to KBS after 28 years since the 'Big Show' in 1997.
To celebrate the 80th anniversary of liberation, Cho Yong-pil partnered with KBS to hold a special free concert at Gocheok Sky Dome on September 6. At that time, over 18,000 audience members gathered, and Cho Yong-pil passionately performed 28 songs. This concert heated up the Chuseok home theater as it was broadcast on the 6th.
You can enjoy that very concert once again in your living room. Moreover, a special documentary titled 'Cho Yong-pil, This Moment Forever - The Record of That Day' will also be available. It will feature behind-the-scenes footage of Cho Yong-pil's glamorous stage and the concert preparation process that has never been seen before.
It includes Cho Yong-pil's intense efforts and passion offstage, the tension and excitement of the concert day, and his own reflections on the performance.
Regarding his participation in the KBS grand project concert, Cho Yong-pil stated, “I felt that if I don’t perform now, there won’t be many opportunities to meet you all, and I thought I should do it quickly before my voice gets worse.”
With the desire to create a space to meet the public 'before it's too late', Cho Yong-pil made this decision. At the end of August, the production team visited his final rehearsal. There, they found him, who has been on stage for over half a century, still practicing with the same intensity as a real performance.
Known for his relentless practice, Cho Yong-pil sang 28 songs in succession as if it were a real performance. Thanks to that passion, he maintains a vocal range similar to his prime. The rehearsal scene, filled with his determination and passion to never tire for the stage in front of his fans, will be revealed.
There is another gift prepared by KBS and Cho Yong-pil. It is a stage in collaboration with the KBS Symphony Orchestra. They prepared two rearranged songs that maintain the original feel while adding the grandeur of the orchestra. The recording site, filled with the synergy of the legendary singer Cho Yong-pil and the representative KBS Symphony Orchestra of South Korea, was also documented.
Cho Yong-pil expressed, “I am touched, grateful, and feel a great sense of accomplishment for being remembered and for you liking my music.”
The news of the free concert prepared by Cho Yong-pil and KBS garnered intense interest, and both ticket sales sold out in 3 minutes with 50,000 people waiting. For fans who failed to get tickets, a 'story submission event' was held, receiving over 7,000 various stories of life experiences intertwined with Cho Yong-pil's music.
Among them, we met the protagonists who sent the most special stories and explored the music of Cho Yong-pil that is woven into their lives.
From Yoon Jeong-sook (55), who flew about 9,000 km from South London to Seoul, unable to forget 'Oppa Cho Yong-pil' after immigrating to the UK, to Kim Seul-cham (32), who became a 'Cho Yong-pil kid' after being captivated by his music as an elementary school student. The family of Park Soo-young (52), known as 'family fans', consists of a mother and daughter who have been fans for decades and have experienced prenatal education with Cho Yong-pil's music. Jeong Young-jun (68) and Jeong Ok-soon (61), a couple who have worked in the sewing industry for over 40 years and have drawn strength from Cho Yong-pil's songs at every turning point in life.
And Park Ji-hoon (40), who fought a malignant brain tumor for six years from the age of 34, used Cho Yong-pil's songs as his last lifeline. We listen to the life stories filled with Cho Yong-pil's music that have been present, are present, and will continue to be in the lives of various people.
Cho Yong-pil also stated, “How happy would it be to die while singing? That is my dream.”
From the 1st of last month, the stage installation and concert preparations took place for five days at Gocheok Sky Dome. From the stage design that expresses Cho Yong-pil's musical journey as a grand flow to the lighting design that aimed to maximize the atmosphere of each song. Hundreds of staff worked hard until the last moment to create a performance worthy of Cho Yong-pil's reputation. And the day before the concert, we follow the record of the pre-recording site conducted in tension.
Finally, on the day of the concert. Despite the heavy rain that fell from the morning, audiences gathered in front of Gocheok Sky Dome. From fans who arrived at 6 AM, to fans showcasing hand-knitted Cho Yong-pil dolls, to fans who specially made T-shirts for the day. Each expressed their excitement in their own way, and finally, the first song echoed on stage. The concert hall was filled with cheers, laughter, and tears in response to his voice. A moment that will be forever etched in the hearts of the people was recorded.
KBS's grand project for the 80th anniversary of liberation, 'Cho Yong-pil, This Moment Forever - The Record of That Day', will be broadcast on the 8th at 8 PM on KBS2.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
