Singer Lee Seung-gi will release his 20th anniversary commemorative album ‘With’ on the 4th. Lee Seung-gi has reinterpreted and included five of his representative hit songs in the new album. These include ‘Time for Love’, ‘Because You’re My Woman’, ‘Delete’, ‘Words That Are Hard to Say’, and ‘Unfinished Story’.

It reflects his mature vocals over the years. Why did he choose a remake for the 20th anniversary album? Lee Seung-gi stated, “I pondered deeply on how best to greet my fans on this occasion. I thought it would be nice to have some time to reflect on my path.”

He added, “Before releasing an album with new songs, I felt it was necessary to reintroduce Lee Seung-gi to the public as the artist he was. Thus, we decided on a remake format.” Several fellow musicians joined him. He shared, “I thought more people would enjoy ‘Because You’re My Woman’ if I collaborated with Cha Eun-woo.

‘Unfinished Story’ is a song I personally love. I felt it would have a different vibe when combined with Lee Moo-jin’s voice, so I requested his collaboration.” He added, “‘Words That Are Hard to Say’ resonates with me because my journey began with band music, so I worked with Captain Planet to capture the band sound essence.”

Regarding ‘Time for Love’ and ‘Delete’, he said, “I thought of the vocalists as soon as I heard the arrangements.”

Collaborating with colleagues made it even more meaningful. “It was my first time working musically with Cha Eun-woo. During directing, I noticed how quickly he absorbed everything. He internalized it immediately and recorded. I’m very satisfied,” he emphasized.

He particularly wanted to introduce ‘Unfinished Story’ with Lee Moo-jin. “Adding Lee Moo-jin’s voice enriched the color of the song. I believe we sang and interpreted it much better than when it was first released. Please give it a listen,” he urged.

The title track is ‘Time for Love’. Lee Seung-gi said, “The arrangement felt the most thrilling and gave the sense of a title track. It’s one of my most popular songs, so I chose it without hesitation.” Singer Lee Seung-gi is expected to continue his journey.

He emphasized, “My goal is to make music that the public will enjoy. What the public loves, I love too.” Finally, he shared his goal: “I don’t have any special goals. I just want to continue for a long time, having fun. I believe it’s enough if there’s a place where I can be of use.”

Below is the complete Q&A with Lee Seung-gi:

Q. Celebrating your 20th anniversary, how does it feel to release an album as Lee Seung-gi once again?

– I feel grateful and even more humbled. Having done one thing for 20 years, it makes me ponder more and become more serious.

Q. This album consists of remakes of songs that have consistently been loved by the public. Was there a reason you decided on this album format?

– While deeply thinking about how to commemorate the 20th anniversary, a new connection was made with my company, and I thought it would be good to have some time to reflect on my journey. Before releasing an album with new songs, I felt it was necessary to reintroduce Lee Seung-gi to the public as the artist he was, so I chose the remake format.

Q. The lineup of fellow musicians who participated in this album is impressive. Was there a reason you collaborated with specific musicians for each track?

– I reached out to those I was acquainted with, and I’m so thankful they readily agreed to participate. I thought more people would enjoy ‘Because You’re My Woman’ with Cha Eun-woo. After hearing the arrangements for ‘Time for Love’ and ‘Delete’, I strongly felt the desire to work with specific vocalists. ‘Unfinished Story’ is a song I personally love, and I thought it would have a new vibe with Lee Moo-jin’s voice, so I requested him. As for ‘Words That Are Hard to Say’, since my beginning was in band music, I wanted to bring out the band sound feel by collaborating with a musician.

Q. Coming together with fellow musicians who have been with you until now makes it even more special. Any anecdotes from the booking or working process?

– It was my first time working with Cha Eun-woo musically, and I happened to oversee the directing. He’s quite quick to absorb things, so he internalized it right away and recorded. That part is the very first introduction. I’m so satisfied. I’ve always wanted to work with Lyn, so I’m happy it finally happened. Working with Lee was memorable, and he asked if we could raise the key at the end, so we boldly did. Karaoke high-note challengers should definitely give it a shot!

Q. The title track is ‘Time for Love’ from 2012. What led you to choose this as the title?

– When all the song arrangements were finalized, ‘Time for Love’ felt the most thrilling and gave a sense of being the title track. Plus, it’s one of my most popular songs, so I chose it without hesitation.

Q. What was the aspect you focused on the most while working on the album?

– I focused heavily on the arrangements. I hoped it would be a fun and fresh remake that people would want to listen to again.

Q. There must be parts where you reinterpreted the past represent songs with fellow musicians. Is there a particular song you’d like to introduce? Any listening points you’re curious about?

– ‘Unfinished Story’ is a song I cherish. With Lee Moo-jin’s voice added, it became much richer in color. Especially, this song helped me earn the nickname ‘Promotional Seung-gi’ when I first appeared on the ‘1Night 2Days’ program. I feel I’ve interpreted and sung it much better than before, so please give it a listen.

Q. 20 years have passed since you debuted with ‘Because You’re My Woman’. During this time, you’ve been active in various fields, deepening as an artist. Were there moments that made you realize how much time has passed?

– At weddings, when I meet seniors, most of them are people I once worked with on broadcasts. When I meet seniors who have been in the industry for 50 years on shows, I realize how long it’s been.

Q. There seems to be more untold stories for Lee Seung-gi the singer. Are there plans for more album releases? If so, in what genre?

– First and foremost, my goal is to create music that resonates with the public. Because if the public likes it, so do I.

Q. The album ‘With’ is said to embody Lee Seung-gi’s past and his future. Are there any goals as a singer, actor, or entertainer going forward?

– As always, rather than having special goals, I want to continue for a long time, having fun. I believe it’s enough if there’s a role where I can be of use.

<Photo Credit=Big Planet Made Entertainment>