Yang Bang-ean's 'NEW HORIZON' (Comprehensive) Reflects on 30 Years of Musical Life

Release of solo album 'NEW HORIZON' after 11 years on the 27thSolo debut 20th anniversary concert held on the 28th and 29thComposer and pianist Yang Bang-ean will release his new solo album 'NEW HORIZON' on the 27th. /PRM[THE FACT|Reporter Choi Hyun-jung] Composer and pianist Yang Bang-ean will present a new album that reflects and compiles his 30-year musical career.Yang Bang-ean kicked off his 30th solo debut anniversary activities by holding a press conference for the release of his new solo album 'NEW HORIZON' at Audioguy in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 4th.The new album 'NEW HORIZON', scheduled for release on the 27th, is Yang Bang-ean's first full-length solo album in approximately 11 years since 'Embrace' released in 2015.Yang Bang-ean, who has undertaken a wide range of projects including music for films, dramas, documentaries, games, and animations, as well as national and regional cultural projects, has incorporated new musical experiences and insights gained through these endeavors into 'NEW HORIZON'.The album includes the title track 'New Horizon' as well as 'NOMADESQUE', 'Sunny Wobbly Step Shoes', 'Wind Phone', 'Cradled in a Lullaby', 'Sunlit Stream', 'Sayu Main Theme 2026', 'Sayu Thoughts', 'Rebirth', 'We, Hope, Peace', 'KariwangSan', and 'Dragon's Panorama'.The title track 'New Horizon' is a song that captures Yang Bang-ean's contemplation and thoughts about music. Yang Bang-ean explained, "It's a song that expresses the question I'm still contemplating, 'Where am I heading?'. It's still in progress, and when you listen to it later, you'll be able to feel, 'Ah, this is what Yang Bang-ean is thinking.'"A notable aspect of this album is the inclusion of several songs related to Korean history, culture, and public projects, such as 'Sayu Main Theme 2026', 'Sayu Thoughts', 'Rebirth', 'We, Hope, Peace', 'KariwangSan', and 'Dragon's Panorama'.'Sayu Main Theme 2026' and 'Sayu Thoughts' were composed for the National Museum of Korea Foundation's 'Theater of Contemplation' project, inspired by the Pensive Bodhisattva statue at the National Museum of Korea. 'Rebirth' is the theme song for the 60th anniversary of the Danjong Cultural Festival in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province. 'We, Hope, Peace' is a tribute song for the 70th anniversary of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO. 'KariwangSan' captures the beautiful scenery of Gariwangsan in Jeongseon, and 'Dragon's Panorama' was composed for the digital reconstruction project of the Silla Royal Capital.On this day, Yang Bang-ean also performed 'Sayu Thoughts', 'Sayu Main Theme 2026', and 'Rebirth'.Yang Bang-ean has incorporated various sentiments felt during his 30 years of activity into his first solo album in 11 years, 'NEW HORIZON'. /PRMYang Bang-ean said, "The project with the 'Room of Contemplation' was truly wonderful. Isn't everyone's space for contemplation vast and diverse? I wanted to express that image, which is why 'Sayu Thoughts' became a masterpiece of over 7 minutes." He added, "I put a lot of thought into finding distinctive sounds and elements that could express 'contemplation.' That's why many sounds, such as the piri, piano, and taepyeongso, are included."He continued, "I gained a lot of inspiration from the 'Room of Contemplation.' I've produced so many things over the years, and there are so many paths to creating a single outcome. I consider that process to be contemplation."The theme song for the Danjong Cultural Festival, 'Rebirth', has garnered attention for its connection to the critically acclaimed film 'The King and the Clown' (directed by Jang Hang-jun), which achieved record-breaking success this year.Yang Bang-ean remarked, "I also watched 'The King and the Clown' and cried at the end. However, 'Rebirth' was created before I saw 'The King and the Clown.' If I had made it after watching the movie, the atmosphere would have been very different, which is a shame," he said with a laugh.Although his feelings about 'The King and the Clown' were not reflected in 'Rebirth', the song has a separate music video that captures its emotions.Yang Bang-ean added, "There is an AI-generated animated music video. It was created by training AI on footage of musicians performing live. The initial request was to capture the atmosphere of 'Frontier!'. I completed it with the hope that the pain and sorrow of Danjong would be sublimated and reborn in this era, while preserving that atmosphere."In addition, Yang Bang-ean has meticulously filled 'NEW HORIZON' with his personal reflections from 30 years of activity, his introspection as a musician, and his concerns about the future. And the answer he reached at the end is 'gratitude.'Yang Bang-ean stated, "I made my solo debut in 1996 and obtained Korean citizenship in 1999. And I am still working hard towards performances and music. However, the opportunity of my 30th anniversary has allowed me to look back a bit. I had only been looking forward until now, but this time I truly felt, 'This is how I've made music.'"He continued, "As I realized this, I felt gratitude towards the people around me. I believe I've been able to continue my activities for 30 years because of the people I've met."Yang Bang-ean plans to express this gratitude not only through his album but also through his concerts. He will hold his 30th solo debut anniversary concert 'UTOPIA - New Horizon' at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 28th and 29th.Yang Bang-ean will hold his 30th solo debut anniversary concert 'UTOPIA - New Horizon' at the Haeoreum Theater of the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 28th and 29th. /PRMHe requested, "I am preparing diligently, so please show a lot of interest in the concert."Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1960, as a second-generation Zainichi Korean, Yang Bang-ean graduated from medical school and worked as a doctor, but he never abandoned his dream of music and continued his musical activities. Notably, in the 1980s, he gained recognition by participating as a producer and keyboardist for the Hong Kong band Beyond.After transitioning to a full-time musician, he released his first solo album, 'The Gate of Dreams,' in 1996, marking his official solo debut.As a solo musician, Yang Bang-ean has established himself as a top-tier musician by showcasing a broad spectrum that encompasses classical and popular music, as well as subculture.In particular, he has led international cultural exchange through music by undertaking major national events such as co-music director for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, music director for the Korean Pavilion Exhibition Hall 1 at Expo 2025 Osaka, and an officially invited performance at the 2026 Korea-Japan Summit.laugardagr@tf.co.kr[Entertainment Department | ssent@tf.co.kr]