Singer Choi Soo-ho (23) released his mini album 'ONE' on the 5th. He gained the nickname 'Trot Milk Man' for his youthful appearance on 'Mr. Trot 2' and 'King of Mask Singer', and he confidently declared that he would transform into a 'Real Man' through his new work.
In an interview with Maeil Business Star Today ahead of the release of 'ONE', Choi Soo-ho expressed, "Since this is my first album, there were many mistakes and shortcomings, but I'm glad it was completed successfully."
He added, "Not long after the competition on 'King of Mask Singer' ended, I started working on the album. My throat was in bad shape, and recording all day in that condition was not easy. However, since it's an album I worked hard on, I hope many people will love it."
'ONE', which holds the meaning of being Choi Soo-ho's first album and first step, includes a total of 6 tracks, including the title song 'Going to the End', 'Walking in a Dream', 'Us Together', 'Mother's Song', 'Man of Joseon', and an instrumental track of 'Going to the End'.
Choi Soo-ho introduced this album as a 'comprehensive gift set', saying, "If the title track shows masculinity, there are also soft ballads like 'Walking in a Dream'. Additionally, there are diverse genres included, such as the trot 'Mother's Song', which expresses affectionate feelings for my mother, and 'Man of Joseon', which I sang during 'Mr. Trot 2'."
'Going to the End' features Choi Soo-ho's unique vocalization of traditional Korean music in the intro, creating an original atmosphere, showcasing a blend of tradition and modernity. The energetic vocals of Choi Soo-ho combine with the passionate flamenco guitar sounds from Spain and addictive beats, delivering a powerful emotional impact.
"When I first heard 'Going to the End', I was actually quite worried. Since it's a Latin-style song, I thought, 'Will this kind of song be okay in Korea?' But as I listened, I felt it could work as a title track. The phrase 'Going to the End' was something I kept reminding myself during the competition, so it felt comforting. Listening to this song felt like a gift to myself after finishing the competition (laughs)."
Choi Soo-ho expressed his desire to earn the title of 'Real Man' through this activity. He stated, "Fans see me as cute, but my goal is to show a manly side this time. I think aspects like my outfit, voice, and expressions are important, so I've practiced hard. I hope the image transformation goes well."
Born in 2002, Choi Soo-ho is majoring in pansori at the Korea National University of Arts. He ranked 5th in the final of TV Chosun's 'Mr. Trot 2', and achieved 6th place in the recently concluded MBN's 'King of Mask Singer 2', gaining recognition for his skills.
When asked what he learned from participating in audition programs, Choi Soo-ho replied, "I think the biggest thing is improvement in my skills." He continued, "Since I received poor evaluations from the beginning on 'King of Mask Singer', I developed a fighting spirit. I approached it with the mindset of 'I have to keep going until I receive good evaluations.' As a result, I believe my stage manners, skills, and emotional expressions have improved significantly. I feel like my dancing has also improved for some reason," he said with a smile.
One of the important aspects of audition programs is 'mental management'. Even if you have excellent skills, you ultimately have to prove it on stage. Even participants with proven skills can be swayed by negative evaluations or atmosphere around them.
Choi Soo-ho stated, "I’m good at listening with one ear and letting it flow out the other. I should obviously accept necessary advice, but I don’t hold onto baseless criticism. I feel like my mental strength increases when I see negative comments. Even when I see comments saying 'You can't sing', I don't get hurt; instead, I think, 'I need to work harder'." He revealed his resilience.
He added, "I feel like I've spent my early twenties just on challenges. Having experienced it myself, I know how scary and daunting challenges can be. But looking back, it’s not a big deal. If you set your mind to it, you can go all the way. Just as I found comfort in 'Going to the End', I hope this song can also provide comfort to my peers."
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
