Choi Sung-won of Deulguk-hwa Revives “Our Song Exhibition” – Selected as One of Korea’s Top 100 Popular Music Albums After 40 Years

“The Our Song Exhibition,” released in 1985 and responsible for introducing a fresh breeze into Korean popular music, is set to make a comeback after 40 years. Record label Jestory announced that it will release a reboot edition of the album on January 5, 2026. Choi Sung-won, the original producer of Deulguk-hwa, is once again taking overall production duties for this revival. The group’s first album, released in 1985, brought a new wave to the music industry with its fresh sound that stood apart from contemporary music, and it was later included in the “Korea’s Top 100 Popular Music Albums” list in 2018. This album served as a platform for underground artists such as Jeon In-kwon, Lee Gwang-jo, and Eotteonnal to gain recognition and pursue active musical careers. The reboot album features 11 songs performed by emerging artists, all centered around the theme of “life and thoughts.” Side A of the LP includes “Back to Seoul” by Lady on the Hill, “Seogwipo Dolphin” by Oh Yeon-joon, “Just a Little Bit” by In Tae-eun, “Hallasan – Sending Off an Eagle” by Bang Seung-chul, and “Remembered Jeju” by Jung Yu-jin. Side B contains “To the Autumn Flowers” by Kim Hul, “Thoughts Are Free” by the folk duo Yeyu and Seolbin, who won a Korea Popular Music Award, “At the Inn” by Park Hwan, “The Landscape of Humans” by Deborah, “Just the Right Day” by Han Ga-eun, and “You Seem Different Somehow” by Yang Ji-won. The tracks consist of original songs written by the emerging artists as well as compositions by Choi Sung-won and others. Composers such as Choi Sung-won, Ryu Kwon-ha, Bang Seung-chul, and Lee Jae-jeong contributed to the music, while lyricists like Yu Yong-gi and Choi Sun-young wrote the lyrics. Choi Sung-won emphasized his dedication to honoring younger musicians. He said, “Younger artists have made significant contributions to K-Culture, which is shaping the world,” adding that he plans to deliver the album and thank-you letters to 100 such artists working in various fields including idols, bands, and soloists. Reflecting on the first album, released in 1985 with its entirely unfamiliar sound distinct from contemporary styles, Choi Sung-won noted, “It brought a culturally fresh impact at the time. Even today, 40 years later, the existence of young musicians who carry on that sensitivity makes me think that ‘Our Song Exhibition’ was perhaps music from an ‘old future.’” He also recalled, “What started as a playful project to create ‘Our Song Exhibition’ turned out to be quite fruitful. It served as a solid foundation for the rise of many new musicians of a completely different caliber, including Lee Gwang-jo, Jeon In-kwon (Deulguk-hwa), Poet and Village Chief (Hadeok-gyu Hamchun-ho), Cho Dong-ik, Jang Pil-soon, Lee Byung-woo, Park Hak-ki, and Kim Hyun-chul.” Shin Hyun-jun, a music critic and professor at Sungkonghoe University, commented, “This monumental beginning in underground music history, which once awakened an era, has returned 40 years later in a quirky yet elegant way. It weaves together reflections on life, ranging from ‘Blue Night on Jeju Island’ to ‘Back to Seoul,’ using the lyricism of folk music, the sophistication of pop, and the sensitivity of indie music. It is a sensually curated exhibition guided by a master of this generation, a perfect keyword that offers listeners ‘just the right day,’ and a comprehensive journey through forty years of musical experience.” The reboot album is scheduled to be released simultaneously in LP format and as digital audio files.