"Hello. It's been a long time. I am MC Mong."
MC Mong has returned after much controversy and trouble. His new album delivered regret and reflection of the singer with his courage to come back to the public.
MC Mong met the reporters eight years after the press conference which was held to clarify his intentional attempt to evade mandatory military service. He held a music concert to commemorate the release of his 8th album 'CHANNEL8' at Yes24 Live Hall, Gucheon-myeon, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul on October 25th.
MC Mong, wearing a neat white shirt and a dark red jacket, appeared calmly. He said, "It's been a long time since I opened a listening event," and "I can not believe this is real. I've come out with courage."
"I've changed so much. I feel that it got black out for the part when I was an entertainer. Sometimes I don't remember my past activity that appears on TV. I watch them thinking there was that kind of period. I am trying to find happiness in daily life."
MC Mong, who was controversial in 2010 due to deliberate extractions of his teeth and suspicions of avoiding military service, held a press conference the following year, apologizing for his charges. In 2012, the Supreme Court found him not guilty of violating the Military Service Act, but the singer was charged with obstructing public service for unjustly postponing military service by taking a false test of a civil service examination. The rapper was sentenced to jail suspended for one year with 120 hours of public service order.
MC Mong apologized for the conviction that he was guilty of obstructing public affairs. "I'm sorry. I'm always sorry that I caused a controversy as a person who was much loved." "I feel deeply regretful about that," said the singer.
"I know that not everyone can understand what I did and forgive me," he said. "I've never thought of legally responding to malicious comments, such as harsh criticisms or false facts. I consider them as my burden to carry for my life," said the rapper with his head bowing.
MC Mong expressed that he prepared his comeback stage with the courage to 'return to daily life' rather than returning to broadcasting. Through this regular 8th album, he released the candid story he wanted to talk about and the various music themes he wanted his fans to hear under the theme of 'CHANNEL'.
Two songs with opposite moods, 'Fame' and 'Channel' were selected as the double title songs. First, 'Fame' is a song that reflects the regret and reflection of MC Mong's days of youth. 'Miss Trot' winner Song Ga-in and Chancellor from his agency featured in his album.
'Channel' is a medium tempo ballad, portraying the stories of lovers, who each have their own hell but want to shine in search of little happiness. The lyric is laid out like a novel. Park Bom has enriched the song with her featuring.
MC Mong talked about the title of 'fame', "There may be a misunderstanding, but it's not that I want to get 'fame'". "As a person who was loved and popular in the past, I wanted to tell that popularity is the power of the public and what the public can give."
Song Ga-In, Chancellor, Park Bom, Suran, Yang Dail, Coogie, MOON, Jiselle and many other talented artists have supported the new album of MC Mong. When this was known, some sent sharp criticism towards them.
MC Mong said, "It was a musical partnership with my featuring artists. I asked for the necessary parts to nourish my story. I respected their opinions unconditionally. Some refused to join, others were willing to participate."
"I never paid anyone or gave a gift. They also participated with a purely musical motive. I would like to express my gratitude towards them."
MC Mong confessed about his deteriorating health that he had suffered since his broadcast activity was suspended. "I was diagnosed with trauma syndrome and depression," he said. "I'm fine now. I'm getting healthy. I jog in the morning and walk with my dog." In regards to his controversial teeth conditions, he said, "I'm being treated now, it's hard to cure."
MC Mong said, "The only thing I can do is music." He said, "I wanted to hide and was hiding, but watching my family to hide also, I thought I should not be hiding." "I thought about ways to be happy, but the only way was music." "It's also because of the music that I could come out," he added.
It was found out that he was still continuing his music activity during the break from the broadcast activities as a composer. "Those singers are like my dear brothers I love in my life. I want to say that the only thing I did was music. Music only made me breathe."
MC Mong has gone through many changes during this decade. "I used to love people, I had a love affair publicly, I loved the show and the stage. I made a lot of mistakes, it wasn't perfect, and I was immature," he recalled.
"I lived as Shin Dong-hyun (MC Mong real name) for about 10 years, and I realized that I didn't know much about myself. Now I drive, I go to banks and hospitals by myself. This became easier for me." "I can't remember the time I was a celebrity. And this gave me new strength. Memories of me being loved also gave me great strength. Now, I love Shin Dong-hyun who finds happiness in daily life."
At the end of the music event, MC Mong talked about his plan to "successfully return to healthy and active daily life." His 8th album will be released at 6 pm on the same day, and the solo concert, 'Mongster Concert', will be held at Yes24 Live Hall on October 26th.
