The vibrant world of Korean crossover music is buzzing once again with a monumental return. After a hiatus of **one year and nine months**, the renowned vocal group **LA POEM** has made their highly anticipated comeback to the K-pop and classical music scene. **Today, January 20th, at 6 PM KST**, they unveiled their **third mini-album, ‘ALIVE’**, across all major music platforms, signaling a powerful and sophisticated return.
The album **’ALIVE’** encapsulates a profound message of choice and determination: to transform the present moment, amidst change, into ‘a time that proves one is alive’ rather than succumbing to stagnation. It weaves a narrative from this resolute commitment, traversing moments of breaking boundaries, to finally reaching a promised destination alongside someone special.
Leading this musical journey is the title track, **’Meant to Be’**. This song artfully translates the courage to face life’s immense trials and misfortunes head-on, articulated through delicate lyrics. The track’s exceptional quality is further bolstered by the involvement of industry giants: **Kim Eana**, a celebrated lyricist known as a ‘hitmaker’ in the K-pop industry, penned the words, while **Lucky Clover**, acclaimed for their work on popular drama OSTs like **’King the Land’** and **’Tyrant’s Chef’**, handled the composition.
The mini-album ‘ALIVE’ is a rich tapestry of **five diverse tracks**, each showcasing the essence of crossover music:
- 🎶 ‘ALIVE’ (the album’s namesake): Infused with vibrant energy, declaring a commitment to proving one’s existence in an uncertain present.
- 🇪🇸 ‘Este amor’ (a Spanish track): Depicts the power of love that endures and protects even amidst fear and darkness.
- 🤝 ‘Long-Awaited Promise’: A hopeful melody envisioning a future where they reunite on stage, laughing together.
- 🗣️ ‘Salira’: An impassioned declaration of will to survive and thrive, even in a desolate reality.
The impressive roster of collaborators extends to the B-side tracks. Notable contributors include **MBC announcer and lyricist Kim Su-ji**, **Peppertones’ Shin Jae-pyeong**, and **Ahn Ye-eun**. Adding to the anticipation, the composition for two tracks, **’ALIVE’** and **’Long-Awaited Promise’**, was a special collaboration with **Creation Music Rights**, SM Entertainment’s music publishing subsidiary.
This collection of **five songs**, spanning various genres, not only strengthens **LA POEM’s** identity as a premier crossover group but also clearly signals their continued journey beyond genre boundaries. We eagerly anticipate the emotions and harmonies **LA POEM** will deliver through this new album, which truly embodies their ‘present’ at the culmination of their journey.
As a cultural historian, I find LA POEM’s embrace of ‘ALIVE’ as a statement particularly compelling. Their journey through crossover music reflects a beautiful evolution, blending genres to create something truly resonant for our times.
Following the album’s release, **LA POEM** will greet fans with their signature concert, **’LA POEM SYMPHONY’**, in **Busan on February 7th and 8th**. This is an encore performance of their highly successful **’LA POEM SYMPHONY’** concert that captivated Seoul last **November**. A highlight of the Busan shows will be the opportunity to experience all the new tracks from **’ALIVE’** performed live with a full orchestra.
Through their new album and upcoming concerts, **LA POEM** is set to deliver another round of electrifying emotion and breathtaking harmony.
Editor: Minho Kang 📜
