[Edaily Starin KIM HYUNSIK Reporter] “For now, I’d rather be called an ‘active singer’ than a ‘legendary singer’ and have the public judge my singing skills. Haha.”

Singer Lee Seung-chul (59), who is celebrating the 40th anniversary of his debut this year, revealed his undiminished passion for music during a recent interview with E-Daily at the headquarters of his agency, LSC, located in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
Lee Seung-chul debuted in 1986 as the vocalist of the band Buhwal and has continued his career as a solo artist since 1988. Numerous hit songs, including “Hee-ya,” “Don’t Say Goodbye,” “Never-Ending Story,” “There’s No One Like You,” and “My Love,” were brought to life by his voice.
He is keeping a busy schedule this year as he marks his 40th anniversary. On the 4th, he kicked off his 40th-anniversary nationwide tour, “The Voice: Lee Seung-cheol,” in Cheongju, and has also begun preparations for a tribute album to be released in the second half of the year.
In the first half of next year, he will hold concerts in North America and Southeast Asia as part of his 40th-anniversary tour. In addition, he is simultaneously preparing to produce a musical based on his signature hits.
Lee Seung-chul emphasized, “I will be an artist who doesn’t dwell on the past but continues to take on new challenges.”
The following is a Q&A with Lee Seung-chul.

- I’m curious about the secret to your nonstop career over the past 40 years since your debut.
△I think the biggest secret is that I’ve continued to meet fans by performing 30 to 40 times a year. Even now, I enjoy a life where I take the stage about once a week to meet my audience. I believe that’s proof that I’m still an active singer.
-What is your biggest driving force that keeps you coming back to the stage?
△I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I see fans leaving the venue with happy expressions. I always stay on stage until every audience member has left the venue. That’s the moment I still take the stage for today.
-If you had to name the signature song that made Lee Seung-chul who he is today, what would it be?
△“Hee-ya,” my debut song that sold over 1 million copies, is the first one that comes to mind. Other indispensable hits include “Don’t Say Goodbye,” which established me as a solo artist; “Never-Ending Story,” which gave me the experience of a song becoming a hit after it had already peaked; and “There’s No One Like That,” which was loved by a wide range of generations, from teens to people in their 70s.
-How is the 40th-anniversary tour different from your previous tours?
△We’ve made significant changes to the format. While past concerts focused mainly on hit songs, this time I’ve structured the show to unfold my musical journey like a story, and I’ve prepared a video in the form of a letter to my fans. Another key point is that we’ve invested heavily in sound quality by installing a surround sound system that envelops the venue. My goal is to earn the response, “Lee Seung-cheol really is the master of live performances.”
-I hear you’re also planning overseas performances as part of the tour.
△I’m preparing to hold concerts in the United States, Canada, Hawaii, Australia, and Southeast Asia in the first half of next year. It looks like this will be the tour where I perform in the most cities, both domestically and internationally, since my debut. This will also be my first time performing in Southeast Asia. I’ve heard that many people there like my songs thanks to my numerous drama OSTs. The growing popularity of K-pop seems to have played a role as well.

-On August 1, he will hold the KBS Chuseok Special Concert at the Inspire Arena in Incheon.
△I plan to make this concert a condensed version of my 40th-anniversary tour. It’s an honor to be able to perform at the KBS Chuseok Special Concert, following in the footsteps of senior artist Cho Yong-pil.
- Do you have any plans to release a 40th-anniversary commemorative album?
△I’m preparing a tribute album featuring younger artists. Kim Jae-joong, Red Velvet’s Wendy, Lee Mu-jin, and Woods are scheduled to contribute vocals. The fact that younger artists are reinterpreting my songs with their own unique styles feels incredibly meaningful to me. The album will also include a new song written and composed by Woods. I want to do more than just look back on my 40th anniversary—I want to share new music with you all.
-I hear you’re also working on a musical.
△It’s a musical based on my songs. However, it’s not a work that chronicles my life story. It will be a sci-fi fantasy that weaves my songs together to create a completely new story. The synopsis is already complete, and we’re preparing for a premiere the year after next. I’ve joined forces with Song Eun-do, CEO of my current agency LSC—which produced the musical “Red Book”—to create content that will be loved for a long time.
-How do you view the phenomenon of K-pop growing into a global genre?
△I believe the unique creativity, flexible mindset, and quick execution typical of Koreans have played a major role. For example, in other countries, once a song is selected, they stick to the original plan no matter what; but in Korea, when an idea pops up, we incorporate it on the spot and put it into action. That sometimes leads to a hit.

-Was there a moment when you truly felt the global popularity of K-pop?
△I realized it early on when I released “My Love” in 2013. At the time, the song ranked on the iTunes charts in eight Asian countries and even reached No. 1 in Hong Kong and Taiwan. After that, more people began recognizing me overseas, and I felt that “K-pop has truly become a global music genre.” That was something I could hardly have imagined back then.
-How do you view the era of generative artificial intelligence (AI) creating music?
△Personally, I don’t view music produced using AI solely in a negative light. I think opposing the use of AI is similar to insisting on traveling abroad by ship when airplanes are available. If we can use AI to gain new ideas and develop music in more diverse ways, I believe that could serve as an opportunity to further expand the music market.
-What do you think is the essence of music that remains unchanged even in the AI era?
△We should avoid relying too heavily on AI. The essence of creativity must not be compromised. We must be wary of music that borders on plagiarism or the loss of human emotion and creativity. AI is, after all, merely a tool. Ultimately, I believe the essence of music lies in the emotions and stories that only humans can create.
-How would you like to be remembered as a singer in the future?
△I now feel that what I leave behind is more important than what I achieve next. I want to give back the love I’ve received so far through volunteer work and mentoring younger artists. I want to live a life where I know how to let go just as I’ve received—like the ebb and flow of the waves—and leave a legacy that serves as a role model not only for younger singers but also for my own children.