[Exclusive]"Stage Time Reduced After Pregnancy"... Singer Eum Ga-eun ♥ Park Hyun-ho, The Sincere Hearts of Korea's First Trot Couple [Hanbok Interview ①]

*This content was translated by AI.

• 'Korea's First Trot Couple' Eum Ga-eun and Park Hyun-ho Hanbok Interview

Singer Park Hyun-ho and his wife, Eum Ga-eun, have revealed the reason they give 100% on stage.

The couple shared their deep longing for the stage through a Chuseok-themed Hanbok interview conducted recently with StarNews.

Married in April last year, Eum Ga-eun and Park Hyun-ho are experiencing their busiest and most fulfilling period yet. On the 16th and the 24th respectively, they released their first full album, "Eum Ga-eun's Nationwide Eight Provinces," and a new digital single, "Let's Go Have a Drink," further enriching their discography.

First, "Eum Ga-eun's Nationwide Eight Provinces" begins in Seoul and travels through Gangwon-do, Chungcheong-do, Gyeongsang-do, Jeju Island, and other regions. It unfolds ordinary yet heartwarming daily life stories, along with themes of love and longing for family—narratives that resonate with everyone. By traversing the entire country like a journey, the album has garnered significant acclaim from audiences across all regions.

Regarding her first full album, Eum Ga-eun stated, "I wanted to create authentic trot music." She added, "Originally, the trot genre itself can encompass a wide variety of stories. However, I came to think it would be wonderful if it could also convey human bonds and the unique colors of each region."

She continued, "In fact, my activities have decreased significantly since becoming pregnant. As events were reduced while touring various regions to meet audiences, opportunities to connect with fans naturally diminished, which was deeply disappointing. So, I decided to create an album filled with songs featuring regional dialects, thinking it would be enjoyable. I hope these tracks become signature event songs that travel across the nation." She openly shared her heartfelt thoughts.

Her husband, Park Hyun-ho, played a pivotal role in creating the title track "Nationwide Eight Provinces." Recalling the album production period, Eum Ga-eun explained, "For the title track, I wanted to include something for every region so that no area would feel left out. The decision was difficult, and I couldn't even begin. After days of deliberation, I told (Park) Hyun-ho, 'I'm thinking of giving up.' Hyun-ho usually has a habit of attaching melodies to words and repeating them. Upon hearing my dilemma, he started composing the song in that manner. The title track 'Nationwide Eight Provinces' was completed in just 15 minutes while we were sitting in the car." Her explanation left listeners amazed.

Park Hyun-ho released his new single "Let's Go Have a Drink" on the 16th, eight days earlier than Eum Ga-eun. This marks his first new song since "That's Crazy," released in December last year, approximately nine months prior. For this track as well, he participated directly in both lyrics and composition, fully showcasing his abilities as a singer-songwriter.

Regarding the new single, Park Hyun-ho shared, "I felt that none of my songs truly qualified as 'real trot.' As a result, whether performing at events or on broadcasts, I often felt embarrassed. This time, while pondering not only what defines trot but also 'what is truly me,' the song 'Let's Go Have a Drink' was born."

Park Hyun-ho further said, "I played it for (Eum) Ga-eun, and she immediately responded, 'This is my style!' and loved it very much. My mother is known for being very objective and even cold; she rarely listens to songs I create. However, encouraged by Ga-eun's support, I played this one for her. Surprisingly, she liked it too," he said with a smile.

Beyond their similar personalities and aspirations, the couple shares another commonality: they both explored various genres before finally establishing themselves in trot music. Additionally, both possess exceptional musical abilities, not only writing lyrics and composing but also producing entire albums.

Eum Ga-eun won the grand prize on MBC's "Showbizival" in 2007 with her powerful high notes, captivating both the audience and judges. Notably, she was discovered by the late Shin Hae-chul, who was a judge at the time, and began training as an idol trainee. She debuted in 2013 with "Drop It," but after years of obscurity, she transitioned to become a trot singer. In 2020, she participated in TV Chosun's "Miss Trot 2," finishing seventh, which marked the beginning of her public recognition.

Eum Ga-eun expressed, "During 'Miss Trot 2,' I felt ashamed for being among the top seven without truly understanding trot. Even while performing as a trot singer, I continued to feel embarrassed. Later, after thoroughly studying and immersing myself in trot music, I wanted to release a full album only when I could do so with pride. That is how 'Eum Ga-eun's Nationwide Eight Provinces' was born. Having experienced every genre—classical, jazz band, rock, dance, ballad, musical—I came to trot last. When I first performed on stage as a trot artist, I thought, 'Why did I only choose trot now? This is the genre I will sing for the rest of my life.'" She revealed her deep affection for trot music.

Meanwhile, Park Hyun-ho debuted in 2013 as a member of the idol group Topdoc. After completing his military service, he began pursuing a career as a trot singer in 2020. Despite numerous challenges—including idol debut, leaving the group, solo singing, and musical theater acting—he experienced periods where things did not go as planned. Later, in 2020, he appeared on MBN's "Burning Trot Man," finishing tenth, which earned him recognition for his capabilities.

Park Hyun-ho stated, "Regardless of the stage, I aim to give my full 100% and operate with the mindset that 'there is no next time.' Even at events, I want audiences to like me and find joy through my music. Now that I have a family, and recently welcomed our daughter Seo-won, it's true that I feel even more responsibility when working. That sense of responsibility fuels my activities." He expressed his profound love for the stage.

As Park Hyun-ho mentioned, the couple welcomed their daughter Seo-won into their arms on February 20 last year. What was the Chuseok holiday scene like after their daughter's birth?

Park Hyun-ho said, "I already visited my mother-in-law's home beforehand. Since traveling long distances with a baby is still difficult, it seems best for family members to come to our house instead. Also, since I haven't been able to spend much time with the baby recently, I want to create more memories as a family of three this Chuseok. I hope this holiday becomes one dedicated solely to Seo-won," proudly displaying his role as a doting father.

Eum Ga-eun added, "Since there are likely family members or loved ones who are far away, it's hard for me to simply say, 'I hope you spend a warm holiday with your family.' However, whether alone or with someone else, I sincerely hope everyone takes the time to enjoy at least one delicious meal." She conveyed her thoughtful Chuseok greetings.

Listening to Eum Ga-eun's words from beside her, Park Hyun-ho jokingly suggested, "After listening to Eum Ga-eun's 'Nationwide Eight Provinces,' why not go have a drink just like the title of my song?" His remark brought laughter.

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*This content was translated by AI.