Former Ko Ji-yong recently shared his mixed feelings about stepping back onto the stage with his Sechs Kies members to meet fans, admitting he feels both excited and apprehensive.
During an interview held on the morning of the 5th at a cafe in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Ko discussed his upcoming reunion with fellow members Jang Su-won and Lee Jai-jin. This marks his first time performing on stage with members of Sechs Kies since the group’s disbandment and their 2016 appearance on the MBC variety show ‘Infinite Challenge’.
Ko Ji-yong, alongside Jang Su-won and Lee Jai-jin, will host ‘THE TREE in INSPIRE – The Untold Stories of Sechs Kies’ on December 15-16 to connect with fans. Although Eun Ji-won and Kim Jae-duck will not be participating, the event serves as a long-awaited opportunity for Ko to reunite with his groupmates and supporters.
Reflecting on how the event came to be, Ko explained, “I originally met up with Jai-jin privately over the summer. A few weeks later, he called and suggested doing an autumn busking event. I told him, ‘It’s cold in autumn, and I’m someone who doesn’t even sing at karaoke, what busking?’ I lacked confidence. Busking is supposed to be all about singing, but with Su-won getting involved, the direction changed.”
He added with a laugh, “It looks like it’s going to be a fun atmosphere for the fans. While we won’t be having a formal sit-down meal together, it will be a party-type gathering in the same space where we eat and enjoy games. My biggest worry is the singing. Dancing is also an issue, and ever since I caught COVID-19, I haven’t been able to use my falsetto. That’s a bit problematic. Maybe I should go up a mountain to practice vocalization…”
Ko views this upcoming performance less as an official Sechs Kies promotional activity and more as a casual event with fans. “We didn’t make this decision with heavy deliberation. Since it’s not a 30th-anniversary concert or anything of that scale, we decided to keep it casual, so everyone agreed easily,” he noted.
Because this performance brings him back to the stage 10 years after ‘Infinite Challenge,’ Ko’s emotions are especially profound. “I don’t really know because I’m out of touch. I don’t remember the feeling. The only broadcasting I’ve done was variety shows with my son, so this is my first time since ‘Infinite Challenge’ 10 years ago,” he confessed, expressing his nervousness.
Ko shared, “Honestly, I’m extremely nervous. Even though it’s not a complete group reunion, just the thought of standing on stage with the members makes me excited, nervous, and honestly a bit afraid. I keep thinking, ‘What if I ruin it because I’m joining in?’ I’m no longer used to the stage. Anyway, we’ve decided to do it and we’ve set sail, so I just need to follow along well and create good memories.”
At the same time, he expressed hope that he might be able to meet fans as a member of Sechs Kies for their 30th anniversary next year. Regarding fully rejoining Sechs Kies, Ko remained cautious, saying, “It might feel a bit ambiguous, but won’t things become more natural over time? As we expose ourselves together more often, rather than debating whether ‘this is right’ or ‘that is right,’ I think we will naturally blend in.”
