Lee Seung-yeol Unveils Emotionally Charged Single ‘Life Was Easy’

Renowned South Korean musician Lee Seung-yeol, known for his experimental approach since debuting with the band U&Me Blue in 1994, has released his poignant new single titled Life Was Easy.

Dropped on June 7 at 6 PM KST, the single marks Lee’s return after a six-month hiatus following his previous release, You Are. Much like its predecessor, Life Was Easy continues his exploration of minimalistic yet emotionally rich soundscapes, seamlessly blending only three key elements — piano, cello, and his evocative voice.

The track opens gently with piano and vocals, gradually introducing a restrained cello and beat that intensify the emotional depth as the song unfolds. The nearly six-minute-long composition plays out like a conversation between three instruments, creating a layered dialogue of sound and sentiment.

Lee lyrically captures a nostalgic contrast between memories of freely soaring skies and the somber tones of present-day darkness. He crafts a contemplative, poetic space that reflects on yesterday, acknowledges today, and expands into an imaginative tomorrow.

In his liner notes, Lee writes, “For the past seven years, my daily mantra has been ‘See you beneath tomorrow’s sun.’ To that, I now add, ‘Somewhere over the rainbow.’” He also expressed deep gratitude to the contributing musicians — Ji Park on cello and Im Jooyeon on piano — noting, “Two prisms brought forth a rainbow.”

Life Was Easy was fully penned, composed, programmed, and produced by Lee himself. The album artwork, a piece titled Atlantic Avenue I by photographer Kim Wooyoung, captures the juxtaposition of persistent vitality and looming mortality in a single frame.

Since launching his solo career in 2003, Lee has released six full-length albums, consistently pushing sonic boundaries across genres like modern rock, blues, and electronic music. Recently, his work has pivoted towards a more minimal sound paired with lyrically profound expression.

This fall, Lee Seung-yeol is slated to release an EP further delving into the sonic themes introduced in Life Was Easy and You Are, offering fans a deeper and more meditative musical experience.