[Herald Review] Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon rings in New Year with fans

Singer-songwriter Lee Seung-yoon bid farewell to 2023 and rang in the New Year with fans in his three-day concert, reminiscing that the past year has been "the peak of his life."

Lee's solo concert, "Duikket," took place at the Blue Square MasterCard Hall in Yongsan, Seoul, on Dec. 29-31, with its final performance ending after midnight to welcome New Year's Day. "Duikket," a Korean word that refers to feelings that remain even after something is done, reflects the complicated feelings that people may experience around the year-end period.

About 2,700 fans visited the concert hall for each performance.

Lee appeared on the stage singing "What Can I Steel," filling the concert hall only with his guitar and voice. The show was packed with 24 songs, including "Docking," "I'm Not an Astronomer," "Unsubtitled," "Poetic License," "Hero Collector," and "Pricey Hangover." Changing his guitar several times between songs, and sometimes even running around the stage, Lee covered various genres, from acoustic to rock music.

"Whether it was good or bad, let's wrap up 2023 with this performance and move on to 2024 together," said Lee, adding that he was happy to think of 2023 as the peak of his life. Audiences enthusiastically disagreed, cheering out that Lee’s heyday is yet to come.

For about two and a half hours, Lee mesmerized the audience with his unique, poetic lyrics and energetic voice. Laser devices and a large circular decoration on the stage created entertaining visuals.

"Although many of you might assume that it is always the fans who wish to see me, I will be the one to look back on this day on my deathbed. Thank you for giving me such precious memories that I will always think about until I die," said Lee.

After the official performance, Lee returned to the stage as audiences cheered for an encore. He bowed again to thank fans, singing the title song of his second full-length album, "Shelter of Dreams," released in January 2023.

Lee Seung-yoon, who debuted through the MBC Campus Song Festival 2011, built up his career as a vocalist for several indie bands. He gained popularity after becoming the winner of JTBC’s audition program "Sing Again," which aired from November 2020 to February 2021. With his unique tone and cross-genre appeal, Lee occupies an unrivaled position among Korean artists.

Through his first national concert tour, "Docking," in February 2023, Lee met fans in Seoul, Daegu, Busan, Gwangju, and Yongin, Gyeonggi Province. He proved his overseas popularity as well with successful concerts at Taipei and Zepp Haneda, Japan, in April and October 2023, respectively.