Image credit: Screenshot from KBS 2TV’s broadcast of “Cho Yong-pil, This Moment Forever”
Cho Yong-pil Returns to KBS Solo Stage After Nearly Three Decades
On October 6 (KST), KBS 2TV aired the special program “Cho Yong-pil, This Moment Forever”, commemorating Korea’s 80th liberation anniversary. The program marked Cho Yong-pil’s first solo concert on KBS in 28 years since his 1997 “Big Show,” drawing fans of all generations.
The Gocheok Dome concert sold out in three minutes, impressing audiences with its scale, production quality, and enthusiastic crowd response, while also being broadcast in 4K UHD.
A Career Full of Historic Milestones
Cho Yong-pil’s legendary career includes countless firsts in Korean music history:
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Male Singer Award at KBS Song Festival (1982)
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Most wins (11) at year-end music festivals across Korea’s three major broadcasters
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First Korean singer at Carnegie Hall (U.S.) and NHK Hall (Japan)
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First Korean artist to surpass 10 million album sales
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Longest tenure at No.1 on KBS Top 10 Songs (69 weeks)
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First Korean pop song included in school textbooks (“Chinguyeo”)
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First Korean singer at Seoul Arts Center
A month before the concert, Cho candidly shared: “If not now, I might not have many opportunities to meet you. And my voice might not stay the same in the future, so I decided to do it now. Honestly.”
A Night of Classics and Nostalgia
Cho opened the concert with “Unknown World”, followed by timeless hits including “Can’t Find My Nightingale,” “Pride,” “My Love,” “Reunion in Memories,” “Dragonfly,” “Winter Café,” “Return to Busan Port,” and “Flame of Asia”, thrilling fans with every song.
During “Song of the Wind”, Lee Seung-gi was spotted singing along from the audience, while Go So-young joined in the fun during “Mona Lisa,” waving a lightstick and enjoying the performance.
Cho emphasized his lifelong dedication: “If you don’t sing, your voice ages. I have to keep my voice strong. Practice is everything. Music is all I know. My dream is to die on stage. How happy would that be?”
Multi-Generational Admiration
Celebrities expressed admiration for Cho’s enduring artistry:
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IU: “Even just being at his concert felt like becoming a fan. He’s truly loved across generations.”
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Director Park Chan-wook: “When I heard ‘Dragonfly’ in high school, I felt a new era had begun. Seeing the process of a great artist’s creation is incredible.”
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Park Jin-young: “If a 20-year-old today had Cho Yong-pil’s voice, a superstar would be born.”
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Lyricist Kim Eana: Referred to him affectionately as “Oppa,” highlighting the deep respect from fans.
The concert became a multi-generational celebration, with fans of all ages cheering “Oppa, Oppa!” as Cho’s rock sensibility and stage presence resonated across generations, supported by a full band, dancers, and orchestra.
TV Broadcast and Legacy
The program “Cho Yong-pil, This Moment Forever — The Record of That Day” will re-air on October 8 at 8 PM KST, giving audiences another chance to relive the historic night of Korea’s living legend.
Cho Yong-pil’s return to the KBS stage proves that true artistry transcends time, uniting fans young and old in admiration of a career that has defined generations.
