Kim Chang-wan Band plays Sejong S Theater for Sync Next 26, joined by Gen-Z producer Jin Choi

Kim Chang-wan Band took the stage at Sejong S Theater in Jongno-gu, Seoul on August 28 for Sync Next 26, Sejong Cultural Center's ongoing series for challenging and experimental work across genre boundaries.

He opened with 내 마음에 주단을 깔고, a track from 1978. Before singing it, he told the audience: "1978 seems like a distant past. I will sing nostalgic songs, but I hope today becomes a time to find my current self and my happiness today."

The set moved through 그대 떠나는 날에 비가 오는가, 너의 의미, 청춘, and 어머니와 고등어. Then came 세븐티 (SEVENTY), a new song released this year. The second half brought 기타로 오토바이를 타자 and 개구장이, with 안녕 as the encore.

Guest artist Jin Choi (진초이) — a singer-songwriter and K-pop producer born in 2008 — appeared on stage alongside Kim. "I think the senior is the root of K-pop," Jin Choi said. "It is an honor to be able to be on this stage together."

Most of the audience were people in their 50s and 60s. Kim closed the night with a reflection on a question that keeps surfacing anyway: "Even if I try not to think about it, people keep asking themselves 'Why do I live? Am I happy now?' It's just fine to be happy like this."