Record producer postpones release of debut song for Japanese trainee

By Lim Chang-won Posted : August 5, 2019, 15:31 Updated : August 5, 2019, 15:31

Takeuchi Miyu [Photograph by Yoo Dae-gil = dbeorlf123@ajunews.com]


SEOUL -- Yoon Jong-shin, a singer-songwriter and record producer who heads an entertainment agency, voiced regret after he put off the release of a song for Takeuchi Miyu, a Japanese trainee, due to widespread anti-Japanese sentiment sparked by Tokyo's trade retaliation against South Korea.

In an Instagram post, Yoon, 49, said he had to postpone the release of a fresh confession song he has practiced with Miyu since she joined Yoon's agency, Mystic Story, in March this year after graduating from Japanese girl group AKB48.

"The absurd remarks of the Abe administration and the right-wing in Japan began to emerge, and the situation quickly deteriorated," Yoon said, adding he postponed the release of the song "after much thought." "Those who have wrong judgments, thoughts, values and historical views hurt and cause such unthinkable damage to creators."

Japan's export restrictions that began on July have fueled anti-Japanese sentiment in South Korea, leading to a civic campaign to boycott Japanese goods. With Japan's additional measures, the campaign is spreading to affect broad areas. South Korea has declared a trade war against Japan, vowing to take countersteps.

It was a bright and cheerful city pop Yoon wrote two years ago. Yoon said Miyu had made a lot of efforts and worked so hard to make her debut in South Korea. "I felt the attitude of working hard and loving Korean culture with sincerity, and I wanted to give Miyu a chance."

"Because it's a song I really loved, I'm writing this," Yoon said in a sad tone. Miyu, 23, debuted with AKB48 in September 2009 and ranked 17th on the final of Produce 48, a TV audition program that created IZ*ONE, a project band grouping 12 South Korean and Japanese girls.
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