Singer Lee Moon-sae shows his endless passion for music on release of his 17th album

Singer Lee Moon-sae answers questions at a press conference on the release of his 17th regular album on November 13. Yonhap News

“I don't think there can be an exit for an a/rtist. I think it's an artist's destiny to hold the microphone for even just one person who applauds. It's also a promise I made to myself.”

Singer Lee Moon-sae (65) spoke at the production presentation of his 17th album at the Stanford Hotel in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of November 13. “I will continue to perform for the next 20 years,” he said, revealing his passion and energy as he celebrates the 41st anniversary of his debut this year.

At the event, Lee previewed the songs “Love Even in Goodbyes” and “My Blues” from his 17th album, which is scheduled to be released next year. The songs will be released simultaneously at 6 p.m. on various music sites. Lee Moon-sae's last studio album was his 16th album, “Between Us,” released in 2018.

“Love Even in Goodbyes” is a song that reminds us of various breakups from loved ones. The lyrics, “I thought that separation would be full of hate. I didn't know that separation would be full of love,” are sung in Lee's characteristic calm and delicate voice. Actor Yoon Kye-sang participated in the music video, which features minimalistic production.

“My Blues” was written and composed by Lee Moon-se himself, and it captures the honest emotions he has felt as a singer for over 40 years. His voice flows comfortably like it seems to be talking about life. “What I always say is, “Living well and dying well,” but it's not easy to do so.” he explains, “As a senior in life, I wanted to give courage and comfort to the young people living in this world together.”

Lee previewed three songs, including the two released today and “Warm Is Better Than Hot,” which was first released last December. The full-length album is still in the works. He admitted that it gets harder to make music as the days go by. “I used to make music without giving it much thought, but now I'm very careful about it, and my head is full of thoughts like, ‘Is this the right music for this time?’ so the work gets slower and slower, but I don't think there's any benefit to doing it quickly.”

After taking a sabbatical last year, the 40th anniversary of his debut, Lee has been busier than ever this year. Since March, he has been performing his seasonal show, “Theater Lee Moon-sae 2024,” and in June, he returned to radio after 13 years with MBC Standard FM's “Hello Lee Moon-sae. But he hasn't forgotten the simple pleasures of working on his new album and drinking makgeolli (Korean rice wine) with friends in between, and he credits this “relaxation and focus” with supporting his 40-year career.

“When I'm relaxing, I farm and exercise in the countryside, and when I'm performing or making an album, I concentrate on the guitar and singing more than anyone else. A musician has to live a simple life, so I don't have a business or a side hustle. I think that an uncomplicated life is what has kept me in front of the microphone for 40 years.”

※This article has undergone review by a professional translator after being translated by an AI translation tool.