What does one do during a severely underwhelming month in K-pop? Return to the classics, of course! And there’s no performer more classic than Cho Yong Pil. The 74-year-old legend has returned with his first album since 2013’s very good Hello. It’s also his twentieth work. Remember, he was largely active at a time when “comebacks” weren’t a thing — especially multiple comebacks in a year.
It’ll Be Okay (그래도 돼) catches Yong Pil in fine form. His voice is as strong and affecting as ever, instantly recognizable. And musically, the song feels like a natural extension from Hello — almost as if no time has passed at all. It takes a classic rock approach, underlining warm melodies with hearty production that grows and deepens as the track goes on. It’s melodically rich and builds to a suitably cathartic chorus. Cho Yong Pil can attract attention on his own, but It’ll Be Okay is smartly arranged to squeeze every last bit of passion from its structure. I love the fullness of the instrumental, from the resonant percussion to the dramatic guitar. Like Yong Pil himself, there’s something very timeless about the way the track unfolds.
| Hooks | 8 |
| Production | 9 |
| Longevity | 9 |
| Bias | 8 |
| RATING | 8.5 |
The Bias List // K-Pop Reviews & Discussion 
hey, we got our first day in a long time where theres no song in the 7 rating!
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At this rate, Cho Yong Pil is going to win SOTY Daesang/Bonsang with this one, again, over just about everyone else. His “Bounce” from 2013-14 crushed the year-end awards competition, with only 5m views on a low budget youtube mv. 2013-2014 aka the very peak of the 2nd gen and leading edge of the 3rd gen. This guy.
Another demonstration that what we know as “Kpop” is really only about one-third of the K music market, with the second third being trot and the third third being the oldies-ballads-OST just like This Guy.
I saw my old friend who is originally from Busan the other week. Lats year he was ale New Jeans. This year, he is listening to Sung Si Kyung, who is another oldie just like this guy here.
Anyway, this song. Yes for me, because I am a sucker for songs that I can sing at full volume in the car. That is what I love about Kpop and that third-third of K music = SINGING! Not intoning, not vibing, just full out singing.
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I had no idea who this was, so thank you for this post ^
On singing: I wholeheartedly agree. I’ ve been doing a bit of a kpop throwback lately and realized how much Ive missed songs that have these full out belted melodies. It’ s so cathartic to sing along. I really want this back, but it seems like pathetically belting out a dramatic melody is not cool anymore ;_;
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Even for those who’ve never heard of Cho Yong Pil, I wonder if this 80’s hit sticks out? It’s been covered by a million idol groups and often appears as an OST in variety shows.
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Then there’s his solo debut from 1976, Return to Pusan Port.
And a funkier, rockier version from his first album in 1980.
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And here’s Azuma Aki covering it on Korea Vs Japan Trot.
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