Eun Jiwon: What I've Learned

Singer-songwriter Eun Jiwon who finally made a much awaited comeback on broadcast TV with his appearance on the music variety show Two Yoo Project: Sugar Man sat down with Music Q for an interview where he talked about music, love, and life in general.

What made you decide to appear on Sugar Man?

I did it for a friend who has made me rethink my position on some things. I have also realized I actually miss performing for an audience.

It felt good to get a positive response. I am grateful to those who still listen to our songs.

Did you tell the other members of your guesting? What did they say?

I did. It's not as if any of us needs to ask permission from the others whenever an opportunity to do broadcast arises. We were all friends first before we were bandmates, and we will remain friends whatever happens. So I just mentioned it casually while we were having a drink.

How are the other members? Any chance of a reunion?

We are all doing different things at the moment: Jaijin is preparing for his first solo art exhibit. Sunghoon is helping produce his sister's album in Japan. Suwon has just opened another restaurant, while Jaeduck is involved in an animal welfare foundation and a few other advocacy groups. Jiyong has accepted a teaching fellowship in a university in the US, so I haven't seen him for quite a while.

A reunion at this point would not be easy. I don't want to give the fans any false hope.

Did you ever regret your decision to disband when you were at the height of success?

I still think it was the right decision no matter how some people viewed it. It wasn't a decision we had made lightly; we agonized over it but we all agreed that the best time to leave was when we were at the top.

Personally, the whole ride had taken its toll. We were active only for three years, but it felt more like thirteen, even thirty. Writing songs, recording, touring... it had been really enjoyable with the members. But in a way, we also became isolated from others? We rarely spent time with our loved ones. To be surrounded with people all the time and still feel lonely, I did not like it.

Then there's the business side of it. I had been studying overseas when I had decide