Singers from ’70s and ’80s seeking comeback

Jeon Young-rok, top, and Kim Chang-wan. (Korea Times file)

Singers from Korea’s pop mainstream in the ‘70s and ‘80s are looking to make a comeback into a show business dominated by idol singers and other younger entertainers.

Kim Chang-wan (62), Jeon Young-rok (62) and Kim Heung-guk (57), popular singers from the past, complain today’s industry doesn’t offer them enough opportunities to perform in front of the public, a local newspaper said Friday.

Kim Chang-wan, who debuted with three-member band Sanwoollim in 1977, said he will perform on TV whenever there are chances. Now a member of the Kim Chang-wan Band, he wants to introduce the public to the band’s latest songs from their third album released Feb. 5.

“It is evident that we need to borrow media power to succeed with the album,” said Kim as quoted by the report.

Jeon, who debuted in 1971 and produced many hit songs for not only himself but also other singers, wants to appear in the media.

The same goes for Kim Heung-guk, who debuted in 1985. He wants to show his singer’s side on TV rather than as a funnyman the public often recognize him as. He wants to appear in today’s TV music shows like “Music Bank” dominated by idol singers.

MBC’s entertainment show “Infinity Challenge” created a sudden ‘90s pop syndrome in January. With the media influence on the public proven, the three singers are seeing whether they can catch the same trend as well.