HONG ISAAC
Singer-songwriter HONG ISAAC made a successful debut at the 2025 Seoul Jazz Festival, leaving a strong impression with his heartfelt performance.
On June 1st, HONG ISAAC took the stage for the first time at the Seoul Jazz Festival 2025 (hereafter “SJF”), receiving an enthusiastic ovation from the audience and wrapping up his performance on a high note.
Now in its 17th year, SJF is one of Korea’s most iconic music festivals, known for featuring artists across a variety of genres, with jazz at its core. Renowned for his calm and warm vocal tone that brings comfort and emotional depth, HONG ISAAC left a lasting impression during his performance on the final day, held at the Olympic Park Handball Gymnasium in Songpa, Seoul.
The show stood out for its rich musical arrangement, featuring two keyboards, two guitars, drums, and bass, and special arrangements tailored for the festival, resulting in a highly polished and immersive sound. HONG ISAAC performed a diverse 12-song setlist, including signature tracks, drama soundtracks (OSTs), and covers, creating a deep emotional connection with the audience.
The performance opened gently with “In the stars” and “(n)everland”, before the atmosphere surged with a crowd sing-along during “aewol.” Powerful guitar solos during “기다림” and “a bird” added intensity and depth, while the show reached its peak with “내 사랑 내 곁에”—a beloved OST from the Netflix drama “When life give you tangerines“ (폭싹 속았수다), which has gained significant popularity.
To close the performance, HONG ISAAC stepped down from the stage during “시간이 지나도”, making eye contact with the crowd and sharing a moment of genuine emotion.
With this successful first appearance at SJF, HONG ISAAC once again proved his worth as an artist, captivating the audience with his warm vocal color and polished live performance.
Journalist: Shawn
Translator: Shawn
Source: Archive Achim
