Choi Jae-myung releases first solo single 'Let's Get Excited'
Choi Jae-myung, who finished 5th on Mr. Trot 3, has begun his solo career with the dance trot song 'Heung-ina Naeboja,' which captures the retro vibes of the 80s.
The 본격적인 Solo Journey of a Gugak Elite Majoring in Pansori Gosu Buk
Singer Choi Jae-myung, who grabbed the Hallyu Star Award after finishing 5th in TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 3', has finally released his first solo single. Released at 6 PM on the 14th through various major online music platforms, the new song 'Let's Get Excited' (Heung-ina Naeboja) is the culmination of the musical capabilities Choi Jae-myung has built while moving between competition programs and musical stages.
His musical roots lie in traditional Korean music (Gugak). Choi Jae-myung is a highly skilled Gugak artist who not only won first place in the student division of the Jeonju Gosu Competition but also took home the Grand Prize in the Myeonggo category at the 24th Song Man-gap Pansori Gosu Competition. The solid foundation built through his major in Pansori Gosu Buk is clearly evident in this new song. Beyond simply singing, his precise sense of rhythm that follows the flow of the song, the deep resonance of exclamations unique to a pansori singer, and his momentary bursts of breath create a unique color within the dance trot genre.
Since 'Mr. Trot 3', he has been expanding his connection with fans through appearances in the musical 'Girlfriend', nationwide tour concerts, and various variety shows. This single is the first step in his determination to break free from the frame of a 'competition contestant' and prove his presence as an independent artist.
A Song of Comfort Where 80s Retro Vibes Meet Realistic Lyrics
'Let's Get Excited' is a dance trot that harmonizes 80s-style brass sounds with a cheerful 4-beat rhythm. While it features a retro charm that makes you want to move your body immediately upon listening, the message contained within is by no means light. It wittily points out the sorrows of modern people living through exhausting daily lives and contains the energy to overcome them cheerfully.
The lyrics flow with life-oriented stories that anyone might have experienced. Phrases such as "Payday is just a moment, sighing after looking at my bank account" and "Even when I scratch a lottery ticket, the last digit is always wrong" describe the harshness of reality. Furthermore, he wittily unravels the irony of life with lyrics like "First love is someone else's family, old love is out of contact." However, the song does not stop at mere lamentation. In the part where he shouts, "Hey, life is futile, let's live fully today! Even if I fail, it's my life, so let's get excited!", a sense of exhilarating positivity beyond resignation is revealed.
This lyrical flow creates synergy when met with Choi Jae-myung's unique vocal prowess. The "Ei!" exclamations inserted throughout the song serve as a key device to boost the excitement, acting as flavorful expressions that only someone from a pansori background can produce.
Overwhelming Perfection Produced by Hitmakers and Top-tier Session Musicians
The lineup of the production team supporting the perfection of this new song is also brilliant. Lyricist Kang Tae-gyu and composer Jung Chang-hyun, who gained public love for Lim Young-woong's 'Love Always Runs Away', took the lead in this project. The two designed melodies and lyrics optimized for Choi Jae-myung's voice and the song's concept.
To increase the density of the sound, a large number of Korea's top-tier session musicians participated. Guitarist Won Sang-woo, bassist Kim Jung-wook, and chorus Kim Hyun-ah joined to fill the entire song without gaps. From the brass sounds used to implement the 80s retro vibe to the upbeat, driving rhythm lines, the sophisticated performance of the sessions maximizes the immersion of the song when combined with Choi Jae-myung's solid vocal volume.
The technical characteristic of this single is that it is not just trot following trends, but takes the form of high-quality pop trot where the harmony between solid instrumental performance and vocals stands out.
The Beginning of Choi Jae-myung's Musical Spectrum as a Solo Artist
Based on the stage presence shown in 'Mr. Trot 3', Choi Jae-myung has already established a firm position within the trot fandom. However, this new song is also an experiment showing that his musical spectrum is not limited to trot. In the process of transplanting the deep resonance of Gugak into modern dance rhythms, his unique style is being established.
He infused the dramatic expression shown on musical stages and the friendly charm shown in variety shows into this song. Through the keyword 'Heung' (excitement/joy), he approached the public while choosing a clever path that does not lose his identity as a Gugak major.
The new song 'Let's Get Excited' can be found on major music sites such as Melon, Genie, and Bugs starting from 6 PM on the 14th. As Choi Jae-myung opens the door to his full-scale solo activities, the music industry is watching to see what kind of musical waves he will create starting with this song and what his next stage will look like.
Collaboration Between Hitmakers and Top-tier Sessions
The producing of this new song was handled by lyricist Kang Tae-gyu and composer Jung Chang-hyun, who created 'Love Always Runs Away'. Top-tier domestic session musicians participated on top of the song designed by the two to complete the sound.
Guitarist Won Sang-woo, bassist Kim Jung-wook, and chorus Kim Hyun-ah added strength to the song's performance and vocals. They implemented a dense sound that maximizes the color of Choi Jae-myung's vocals.
Collaboration Between Hitmakers and Top-tier Sessions
The producing of this new song was handled by lyricist Kang Tae-gyu and composer Jung Chang-hyun, who created 'Love Always Runs Away'. The two designed melodies and lyrics optimized for Choi Jae-myung's voice and the song's concept.
To increase the density of the sound, a large number of Korea's top-tier session musicians participated. Guitarist Won Sang-woo, bassist Kim Jung-wook, and chorus Kim Hyun-ah joined to fill the entire song without gaps. From the brass sounds used to implement the 80s retro vibe to the upbeat, driving rhythm lines, the sophisticated performance of the sessions maximizes the immersion of the song when combined with Choi Jae-myung's solid vocal volume.
A Journey Continuing from Competition Awards to Musical Stages
Choi Jae-myung made a name for himself by appearing on TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 3', where he took 5th place and the Hallyu Star Award. After the competition, he has been expanding his field of activity, including appearing in the musical 'Girlfriend', nationwide tour concerts, and various variety programs.
His achievements in the field of Gugak are also distinct. He won first place in the student division of the Jeonju Gosu Competition and was awarded the Grand Prize in the Myeonggo category at the 24th Song Man-gap Pansori Gosu Competition.
Stage Experience Built After the Competition and Standing Alone
Choi Jae-myung made a name for himself among the public by winning 5th place and the Hallyu Star Award on TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 3'. After the competition ended, he took the stage in the musical 'Girlfriend'. Along with this, he has been expanding his scope of activity by moving between nationwide tour concerts and various variety programs.
The release of this new song is his first solo single prepared to prove his own color beyond the modifier of being a competition contestant.
