Yang Mi-ran's Sweet and Gentle/ Unrequited Love / He5's Meadow - Yang Mi-ran & He5 (양미란의 달콤하고 상냥하게/ 짝사랑/ He5의 초원 - 양미란 & He5) - S2 Ep 11
Yang Mi-ran's Sweet and Gentle / Unrequited Love / He5's Meadow Album Front
This album is a split release that showcases the works of composer Jeong Min-seop, featuring performances by Yang Mi-ran and the group He5. The track "Sweet and Gentle" achieved significant popularity, leading to Yang Mi-ran receiving the New Teen Singer Award from the monthly magazine "Yadam and Silhwa" in 1969. Additionally, this marked He5's debut official album, with the song "Grassland" also gaining considerable acclaim. The album was released on August 1, 1969, under the production of Shinsegi Records, classified as a split album, and is catalogued as album number Ga 12255.
Singer Yang Mi-ran & He5
Yang Mi-ran, a graduate of the Department of Tourism at Busan Junior College, made her debut with the song "Don't Forget Me" and gained significant recognition with her hit "If It's Your Will." She was previously engaged to Jeong Min-seop, the composer of most tracks on her album, and the couple eventually married.
He5 emerged as a prominent band in the late 1960s, featuring notable members such as Kim Hong-tak (김홍탁) from Key Boys (키보이스), Han Woong (한웅), the son of singer Jang Se-jeong (장세정) and a member of Fogais (포가이스), Jo Yong-nam (조용남) from Shin Jung-hyun and Jokers (신중현과 조커스), Yoo Young-chun (유영춘) from Silver Coins (실버코인스), and Kim Yong-ho (김용호), who is the younger brother of a Lee Sisters member. This 'super group' was renowned for its exceptional talent on the US 8th Army stage, with Han Woong captivating audiences through his deep, husky voice, Kim Hong-tak showcasing his psychedelic and hard rock influences on guitar, and Cho Yong-nam (조용남) bringing a soulful flair as the bassist. An interesting anecdote recounts how Cho Yong-nam gifted Kim Hong-tak a rare Gibson guitar to entice him to join the band, highlighting the competitive nature of the music scene at the time, where other bands struggled after losing key members to He5.
Yang Mi-ran, who won the Rookie of the Year award for 'Sweet and Gentle'
This album, released in 1969, features a collaboration between Yang Mi-ran and the group He5, with He5 performing Yang Mi-ran's tracks. Notably, the song "Sweet and Gentle" was featured in the film "My Fortune is Good," directed by Sim Woo-seop, which also premiered that same year.
"Sweet and Gentle" achieved significant success, climbing to number 6 on the Maeil Business Newspaper's 'Gayo Best Ten' chart on October 23, 1969. Additionally, on December 22 of that year, Yang Mi-ran received an award at the 4th New Teen Singers Awards Ceremony, organized by the monthly magazine "Yadam and Silhwa" at the YWCA auditorium, alongside other notable artists. The album also includes "Grassland" by He5, which marked the beginning of the popular 'Grassland Series,' followed by subsequent hits such as "Grassland Love" and "Grassland Light."
Yang Mi-ran's Sweet and Gentle / Unrequited Love / He5's Meadow Album Back
Jeong Min-seop's composition collection including movie theme songs
This album features a variety of theme songs from films. Notably, "Black Spot," the theme from the 1969 film "Black Spot (The Third Zone)" directed by Choi Moo-ryong (최무룡), is performed by He5. This rendition differs from the original, incorporating orchestral elements that enhance its musicality.
Additionally, the album includes "Lonely Sun," the theme song from "The Sun is Lonely," also performed by He5, alongside the theme from "A Woman with a Bag," sung by Yang Mi-ran. These selections highlight the contributions of composer Jeong Min-seop, who was a prominent figure in the film music scene during that era. The album was initially released in 1969 and re-released in 1970, with both versions containing the same tracks; however, the 1970 re-release has garnered more attention.
Yang Mi-ran, who passed away in 1980
Following the success of her album, Yang Mi-ran collaborated with composer Jeong Min-seop, producing popular tracks like “범띠 가시내” and “Whistle,” which marked the peak of her career. During this period, she also pursued her individual projects.
Tragically, Yang Mi-ran succumbed to bone cancer on February 24, 1980, and her husband, Jeong Min-seop, passed away from lung cancer on October 26, 1987. Their poignant love story garnered significant attention. Their daughter, Jeong Yeo-jin, gained recognition as a children's singer, notably performing the theme songs for the animated films 'General Ddol-i' and 'Secret of the 77th Unit,' both composed by her father.
Included Songs
The album features a diverse collection of songs across two sides. On Side A, listeners can enjoy 'Sweet and Gentle' performed by Yang Mi-ran (양미란), with lyrics penned by Jiwoong (지웅). Another track, 'Unrequited Love,' also sung by Yang Mi-ran, features lyrics by Jo Jae-eop (조재업). He5 contributes two songs, 'Where Are You Now (LOVE ME TENDER)' and 'Lonely Sun,' both with lyrics by Jim Yeong-gi (지명길) and arrangements by Jeong Min-seop (정민섭). Additionally, Yang Mi-ran delivers 'Prayer of Tears,' again with Jiwoong's lyrics, while the instrumental piece 'Black Spot (Light Music)' is composed by Light Music (경음악).
On Side B, He5 presents 'Prairie' and 'MY SPECIAL ANGEL,' the latter featuring lyrics by Jim Yeong-gi and an arrangement by Jeong Min-seop. Yang Mi-ran returns with 'WHAT AM I LIVING FOR,' which includes Jiwoong's lyrics and an arrangement by Jeong Min-seop, as well as 'Blue Rose' with lyrics by Jim Yeong-gi. The side concludes with 'Dream,' sung by Yang Mi-ran and written by Jiwoong, alongside another instrumental piece, 'If It Is Your Will (Light Music),' composed by Light Music.
