This year’s Colours of Ostrava brought us a wave of Asian performers. Among them was Lee Seung Yoon, a Korean singer-songwriter who gave us an interview during the festival. He told us about his third studio album and even revealed which local drink he enjoyed.
The interview took place after Lee Seung Yoon’s Saturday concert. The atmosphere was pleasant and calm, the sun was shining, and we even shared a laugh together. He spoke openly about his inner creative process, described how the Czech audience makes him feel, and we discussed which music genre he finds most intimidating.
What led you to become a singer? Was it your first choice, or did you come to that decision over time?
At school, I wanted to be the „king“, the best, so I started playing the guitar and listening to The Beatles and Oasis. I watched their videos and got interested in their albums.
Your music spans a wide range of genres like pop, rock, and acoustic. Is there any genre you haven’t explored yet but would like to, or one you feel a bit intimidated by?
I like all genres, and none of them really give me trouble. But in Korea, there’s a genre that’s very popular among older people called Trot. That one I do struggle with a bit.
When you compose songs, what is your initial idea? Is it perhaps a memory or a feeling? What has been inspiring you lately?
It depends on the song. For some tracks, I compose the melody first, for others, the lyrics. Phrases or words suddenly pop into my head, and I end up using them in the lyrics.
We were really touched by your music, you have a truly unique sound. We’d love to know more about your third studio album YEOK SEONG. How did the preparations go, and how did you approach it?
When I started creating YEOK SEONG, I planned to put everything into it. Not just 100%, but 120%. Since I knew I’d have a team with me, I wasn’t worried at all. The album title has two meanings: the first is „revolution“, and the second is „support“. I wanted to reflect both meanings in the album.
We’re sitting down after your concert now. How did it feel for you? Is it possible to compare the Czech audience to the Korean one?
We also went to see yesterday’s performances, and I found it really beautiful how everyone was enjoying the festival and its amazing atmosphere. I realized that it’s not important how well I sing, but how much I enjoy the concert. When I watched the other performances yesterday, I didn’t feel nervous at all. I started to have more fun. As I’ve said before, when I was filming in Prague, everything looked beautiful to me. The Czech Republic is a gorgeous country.
As for the fans, Korean fans show us what we want to see, but Czech fans enjoy themselves in their own way. That’s the difference, and I think it’s a good thing.
Have you had the chance to try any traditional Czech food or drinks yet? If so, what did you enjoy?
Kozel is the best. I love Kozel. (Kozel is a brand of Czech beer.)
Do you have a message for your fans here in the Czech Republic?
I don’t know how many Czech fans I have, but I believe there are some. First of all, thank you for letting me be here with you. Even if you’re not my fan, I’m truly grateful to everyone who enjoyed the concert with us. I believe it will be a memory for a lifetime. I sincerely thank you, and I hope I’ll keep seeing you in the future.
That’s everything for today. Thank you so much for the interview, and we hope to see you again in the Czech Republic.
Thank you very much as well.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. (said in Czech)
Source: Asianstyle, Lee Seung Yoon
