[YANG HYUN SUK Interview ①] “The next YG artist to come back? Of course WINNER”

[?????=??? ??] If there were a best music producer’s award for the year 2015, that should probably go to YG Entertainment’s president YANG HYUN SUK.

YANG made BIGBANG further consolidate their status as Korea’s best idol group, and successfully launched rookie group iKON. “World-star” PSY is sweeping music charts once again, while the project for CL’s solo debut in the United States is being proceeded smoothly. Plus, YG has completed contract renewal with PSY and BIGBANG, YG’s leading artists. YG artists rode high and YANG has always given his best help.

The climax that best-showed such enormous success of YG for this year was “Mnet Asian Music Awards”. BIGBANG took the best song’s award and best singer’s award, which are two of the three grand prizes given in the awards. The finale of the festival was given by PSY and the hottest issue created by the festival was 2NE1 who appeared on the stage out of nowhere. Group iKON also proved the big potential of themselves as a “monstrous rookie”, singing three songs in a row.

The key for the outstanding success of YG for this year was of course YANG HYUN SUK. He dominated Korea’s music scene with full energy and charisma, and has always given great success to YG based on his meticulous planning with rich sensitivity. Daily Sports had an interview with him, to talk about the year 2015 and the next year, right after PSY’s press meeting held on December 1.

- BIGBANG played bigger role than expected for this year, too.

“BIGBANG means a lot to me. Plus, they have always been the best group for me. I thought myself, if I could ever produce a boy group like them again. I sometimes think maybe I cannot. Looking at these guys singing in the music awards, I was really impressed. They just changed the temperature of the awards. Of course I doubt if I could ever produce a group like them again”. 

- You put most of your focus on BIGBANG this year.

“I have this absolute trust in BIGBANG. They are always good on any kind of stage. I’ve been working with them for nine years and for Jiyong and TAEYANG, I first met them 15 years ago. What is really surprising for me is the fact that they grow year after year. You know, everyone has ups and downs, but this guys have had only ups so far. Now, I feel even relieved when they are on the stage. That feels really rewarding. This year, four months of promotions were carried out for BIGBANG. That was the highest priority project for YG and I was really happy to see good responses. I did my best for BIGBANG and BIGBANG did more than expected. Fans enjoyed BIGBANG’s music and performance with all their passion. Everything were in a perfect harmony, I guess”.

- I know it’s a sensitive question, but who will be the next YG artist to come back?

“That’s of course WINNER. The album has already been completed. I’m really sorry for WINNER’s fans, but I thought it was not good to release WINNER’s album in this end-of-year season. You know, there are a lot of music festivals, so it will not be easy for WINNER to draw enough attention. Plus, there was PSY’s album waiting for release, too. So, I thought this December was not a good timing. One thing I can promise is that fans will really love WINNER’s next album. Starting from WINNER, YG artists will come back one by one. Akdong Musician, LEE HI, Katie Kim, and others are doing their preparation now. I’ll keep doing my best for the year 2016, too”. 

2015. 12. 4.
Source: YG Life