Singer Chung Mi-jo speaks during an interview. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
On July 17, during the broadcast of EBS's music program "Space Gonggam (sympathy)," singer Chung Mi-jo broke down in tears while singing her new song "Mother's Spring."
Unable to continue, she turned to her agency's CEO, Lee Joo-yeop of JNH Music, who wrote the lyrics.
The song, which reminisces about her late mother, who died on a "bright spring day when sunlight shattered," was originally a duet with singer Lee Hyo-ri but was performed solo that day. Chung said, "It feels as if I wrote the lyrics myself."
In a recent interview with the Hankook Ilbo, Chung recounted, "I wept uncontrollably while practicing and recording 'Mother's Spring.' I lost my mother when I was young, and I missed her terribly; this song felt like a gift."
She added, "After my mother died, I couldn't use the word 'mother,' but this song's lyrics are filled with it. During the EBS recording, I tried not to think about my mother, but even a fleeting thought choked me up."
"Mother's Spring" is part of Chung's new album "75," her first release in four years. The album title reflects her age.
"Initially, I opposed the title, but I agreed after hearing that it's rare for someone my age to release an album of new songs," she said. "I started working on it, thinking it might be my last album. Recording was tough, but after listening to it, I felt it turned out well. I even think '75' might signify a new beginning."
Chung Mi-jo in the early 1980s, during her time as a painter after retiring from her singing career. Korea Times file
Album features 12 Songs, 7 duets with fellow artists
The album comprises 12 tracks, primarily elegant, classical jazz tunes aimed at adult listeners. Seven of these are duets with younger artists like Lee Hyo-ri, John Park, Kim Min-seok of Melomance, Yoo Chae-hoon of La Poem, Harim, Son Tae-jin and Kang Seung-won.
The album was planned by CEO Lee and jazz musician Son Sung-jae, who poured their hearts into its creation.
"While working with the younger artists, I discovered new aspects of my voice. My voice, which used to be husky, has become clear and resonant, possibly due to their energy," Chung said.
One standout solo track on the album is "Nora," penned by singer-songwriter Lee Kyu-ho. The song, which distills complex emotions accumulated over the years, showcases Chung's calm and poignant delivery, offering hope and comfort.
Popular music critic SeoJeong Min-gap hailed it as "one of the best songs of the year."
Chung said, "It was the song I had to repeat the most during recording, struggling to express the emotions in the lyrics perfectly."
Chung Mi-jo's new album "75" / Courtesy of JNH Music
No ambition for grand achievements in music
Chung debuted in 1972 after being discovered by singer Patti Kim while singing at a school festival during her studies in Western painting at Ewha Womans University.
She released hits like "By the Stream" and "Whistle," adding melodies to the poems of Kim So-wol.
In 1979, she abruptly retired from music and moved to Paris to study art. After returning to Korea, she taught at Suwon University for 22 years and worked as an artist.
Music called her back in 2016 when singer Choi Baek-ho persuaded her to return after 37 years of retirement, resulting in the album "37 Years," which was later selected by EBS's "Space Gonggam" as one of the top 100 Korean popular music albums.
In recent years, music has drawn Chung even closer. Her worsening eyesight has limited her ability to paint with colors, leading her to focus more on music.
For her, music is not a goal but something she simply enjoys. "I have no ambition to become more famous or make a lot of money through music. The fact that people love my songs gives me great strength."
Singer and painter Chung Mi-jo says she has recently started wearing dark glasses due to weakened eyesight. Korea Times photo by Lee Han-ho
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.