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After 15 years of silence, beloved balladeer reclaims his voice
While some artists dream of bigger concerts, world tours or exploring new genres, Kim Hyun-sung had a simpler, deeply earnest dream: to sing again.
Kim, who debuted in 1997, captivated listeners with his beautiful tone and emotional delivery. Now, after a 15-year hiatus, he returns Sunday with “Trying to Love Again,” which marks his first official release since 2010.
Kim was forced to step away from music due to persistent vocal cord issues, and spent years in rehabilitation and training to get his voice back. The new track is a nostalgic pop ballad inspired by the 1990s, the genre and style in which Kim is most confident.
“A few years ago, I wasn’t even sure if I could continue as a singer. To be able to release a great song again — it’s overwhelming and something I’m deeply grateful for,” Kim said in an interview in Gangnam, southern Seoul, Wednesday.
Cho Young-soo, a hit-maker since the 2000s, crafted a track in a 1990s ballad style tailored to Kim’s strengths. Lyricist Kim Eana penned the lyrics with great care, softening hard consonants to avoid straining Kim’s vocal cords. “When I first read the lyrics, the word ‘earnestness’ stood out right away,” Kim shared. “That one word felt like it was comforting all the years I had struggled.”
Though the song has an analog, emotional quality that contrasts with current K-pop trends, Kim noted that the composition was simplified so that even younger listeners who are used to repeated beats, for example, could appreciate it. Impressively, he also hits a high C-sharp in the third octave — the same note range that once defined his music.
It was the song “Heaven” that brought Kim widespread acclaim, but it also marked the start of his vocal decline.
“I developed vocal nodules in my late 20s and continued singing despite it, which caused more damage,” Kim explained. As vocal strain led to repeated onstage mistakes, he eventually stepped away from the spotlight and began a quiet life as an office worker in 2018.
The desire to reclaim his voice never left him. After work, he dedicated himself to vocal training. “There were certain negative labels that defined me — ‘a fallen singer,’ ‘a singer who lost his voice.’ I couldn’t let my career end like that.”
“There were moments I truly doubted if I could ever recover,” said Kim, noting that he has reclaimed about 85 percent of his full vocal capacity.
His return to the public eye began with an appearance on the second season of “Sing Again,” a JTBC competition that gives forgotten singers a second chance. Despite his damaged vocal cords, Kim’s perseverance on stage moved judges and viewers alike.
He vividly remembers the moment Super Junior’s Kyuhyun, one of the judges, wept while watching his performance. “That performance could’ve easily ended as just another failed comeback by an old singer. But Kyuhyun cried for someone he had never even met before, and that completely changed the energy in the studio.”
Before releasing his new song, Kim personally shared it with Kyuhyun, who offered his full support.
“With this song, I want to say, ‘I’ve made it back,’” Kim said, promising to continue sharing good music. “I want to reach a point where people no longer talk about my vocal issues. I’d love to just go on as one of many artists simply releasing one’s song.”
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