Jo Donghee - 3rd Studio Album [Flower Sequence]

* The outer box is made to prevent damage to the product, and scratches, creases, discoloration, etc. may occur during the packaging/shipping process, which cannot be a reason for exchange.

Jo Donghee
3rd Album [Flower Sequence]
TRACK LIST1. From Aewol
2. Flower Sequence
3. Love Poem
4. You
5. Seasonal Dictionary
6. To Time
7. Time Where Angels Stay
8. Evening

Jo Donghee 『Flower Sequence』,
The Path to Stand Alone Step by Step

Being a family member of a master is both a blessing and a shadow. Thanks to the family name always being called, I received hospitality without boundaries, and above all, sharing a musical and emotional foundation as a family is undoubtedly a blessing. When walking a difficult path, there may have been moments when it was good to have a place to lean on, perhaps wandering less. However, on the other hand, even if I could avoid the immediate rain and wind under a sturdy umbrella, I might not have had the opportunity to carefully consider how to face the bad weather. Additionally, I would have faced countless invisible eyes and ears trying to gauge how similar or different my world is from Jo Dongjin and Jo Dongik, and what I have received and nurtured.

Walking a considerable time on the path of music, Jo Donghee seems to have decided not to settle into familiarity. There was a time that was uniquely his own to reach that point. Unlike Jo Dongjin and Jo Dongik, who have the demeanor of a hermit, Jo Donghee diligently sought his own nourishment with an open personality and charm that attracts various people. Sometimes it was music, sometimes books, sometimes various arts, and sometimes it was people. In that time, he has been planning, organizing, gathering people, and rolling something with his own originality without pause. And that time has been gradually accumulating. Not anyone else's, but Jo Donghee's.

Jo Donghee's third studio album 『Flower Sequence』 has arrived after four years. What remains unchanged is that familiar and reliable names resonating with him, including Jo Dongik and Park Yongjun, are still within it. What is new is that Jo Donghee stands alone and moves among friendly names. The environment that allows him to meet good collaborators is still a blessing, but now he has decided to walk in the shadow and move his hands from the ground. In addition to composing and writing lyrics, he is actively involved in arranging and producing, truly overseeing the flow of the entire album. As he learns the details of what he didn't know why he liked, and begins to touch the specifics that are easy to overlook, the music has become even more empty. The more he knows, the more the direction of help is placed in his hands. Even the small things that are not noticeable shine according to his wishes.

Aewol is a special place for him and his precious people. The sea and sky, moon and wind of Aewol are memories. It is a place where one waits, calling “forgotten names” and asking “are you well?” (From 「From Aewol」). The walk begins in special memories where the warm embrace of a low cello string fits. He has never forgotten the light within it. For him, who has moved at a slow pace far from impatience, having a different stride and speed from others must not have been easy. There were times when he paused to have children and build a family while his fellow musicians were busy moving. Many female creators may have experienced similar pauses, and in Jo Donghee's previous project 『Mother』, he gathered such colleagues and seniors to embrace each other. Even if it is not a parenting period, there are steps that slow down or stop due to individual circumstances. He speaks to everyone as if to comfort himself. “We are a small and complete universe,” so “blooming late is not falling behind,” and to believe that “we will live our own time” and bloom (From 「Flower Sequence」).

The sweet story of a certain time fits well with a ballad. The sweet melody of 「Love Poem」 was composed by Han Kyungrok of the punk rock band Crying Nut. It was interesting that Captain Rock composed a ballad. The event created by Jo Donghee's suggestion to “let's make a song to reclaim romance for the romantic representative Han Kyungrok.” This serene duet has been reborn with Park Yongjun's arrangement, now with a single voice. The sweet conversation exchanged in the strumming of the guitar has transformed into a monologue within the throbbing of a heavy bass line. When he shouts, “At least once in this world, let’s love without leaving anything behind,” the spirit of Captain Rock and Jo Donghee's lyrics blend together like one, conveying romance.

His voice, which rustles coolly, fits as much with loneliness as it does with excitement. The voice quietly saying, “You were unbearably lonely, you were struggling like on the edge of a cliff” (From 「You」) reminds one of the track “That’s Me” from the debut album. The drum sound that was present in the single has been withdrawn and has become more tranquil. It is a lonely voice that feels like a gaze met in a small room where a cold wind has come in and sat down, but it warmly comforts like a gentle touch on the shoulder. “Everything will surely pass.” It is warmth that knows the power of concentration in silence. The following calm reading, 「Seasonal Dictionary」, seems like a mere arrangement of words, but after listening, it tells a story of a time. Meeting, confession, love, hope, parting, pain, memory, time, and love. The word ‘love’ appears twice, transitioning from “sleeping face, hand shade blocking sunlight” to “wishing for you to shine and be comfortable,” and that too “without any relation.” He, who loved poems that become songs, writes and sings songs that become poetry.

His comfort while talking about “our own time” (From 「Flower Sequence」) resonates as a bold encouragement of “only time has given the answer” (From 「To Time」). The ticking of the clock does not press impatiently but sounds lively and steadily walking and running. “Embrace the clumsy me / for every form was me,” the powerful voice becomes a cheer song for all who listen. Within steady steps, one must not forget the quiet time. There, an angel resides. “Listening to more in silence,” opening the ears, and meeting “the peace that descends like feathers” (From 「Time Where Angels Stay」). Valuing the silence one suddenly has during a long journey, perhaps is the shared sentiment of Jo Dongjin and Jo Dongik, who all shared the blessings he possesses.

The closing time of the album is the evening of 「Evening」. “The red sun that warmed my back / is leaving for the western sky,” the time comes when shadows grow long and disappear into darkness. Brief words bloom within the nostalgic classical guitar melody. Like a lullaby sung softly to a baby, the sounds disappear cozily, spreading warmth beyond the smell of cooking. This track, included in the album produced by guitarist Denis Sungho, has been captured with new mastering. The newly joined collaborator for this album, mastering engineer Hwang Byungjoon, is an outstanding sound artisan who has won Grammy Awards twice for classical album work while active in the United States. The steps that began with a walk on the cool Aewol beach, passing through memories, monologues, comfort, and encouragement, culminate in the evening as the sun sets, returning home to a cozy conclusion, maintaining a clean and comfortable balance throughout.

Jo Donghee's 『Flower Sequence』 contains a humble sound like a warm bowl of carefully prepared rice rather than a sound that dazzles with elaborate dishes. Like the flowers of the infinite flower book, there is no hierarchy or direction, but there is a simple beauty that blooms when it becomes one's own time. When listening to this music, it would be nice to let go of a tense and sharp heart and become simple and comfortable.

November 2024, Shin Youngseon

1.From Aewol
Lyrics & Composing _Jo Donghee
Arrangement _ Jo Dongik . Jo Donghee
Piano & Synthworks_ Jo Dongik
Cello_Min Youngae
Recording _Lee Sangcheol at Tone Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio
Mastering_Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

2.Flower Sequence
Lyrics & Composing & Arrangement _ Jo Donghee
A.Guitar & E.Guitar _ Kim Jungbae
Synthworks_ Jo Dongik . Jo Donghee
Bass & Drum Programming _ Kim Jungbae . Jo Dongik
Chorus_ Jo Donghee
Recording _Lee Seongrok at Blue Red Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio
Mastering_Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

3.Love Poem
Lyrics _ Jo Donghee
Composing _ Han Kyungrok
Arrangement _ Park Yongjun
Piano & Synthworks & Bass & Drum Programming _ Park Yongjun
Chorus_ Jo Donghee
Recording & Mixing _ Park Yongjun at Junis Studio
Mastering_Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

4.You
Lyrics & Composing _ Jo Donghee
Arrangement _ Kim Jungbae . Jo Donghee
A.Guitar & E.Guitar & E.Piano & Bass _ Kim Jungbae
Chorus_ Jo Donghee
Recording _Jo Donghee at Micro Universe Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio
Mastering_Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

5.Seasonal Dictionary
Lyrics & Composing & Arrangement _ Jo Donghee
Piano & Synthwork_ Jo Donghee
Recording & Mixing _Park Yongjun at Junis Studio
Mastering_Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

6.To Time
Lyrics & Composing _ Jo Donghee
Arrangement _ Kim Jungbae . Jo Donghee
A.Guitar & E.Guitar & E.Piano & Bass & Drum Programming _ Kim Jungbae
Chorus_ Jo Donghee . Kim Jungbae
Recording _ Kim Jinpyung at Tone Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio
Mastering_ Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

7.Time Where Angels Stay
Lyrics & Composing & Arrangement _ Jo Donghee
Piano _ Ubare
Trumpet & Flugelhorn _ Yunapal
Chorus_ Jo Donghee
Recording _ Jo Donghee at Micro Universe Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio
Mastering_ Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

8.Evening
Lyrics _ Jo Donghee
Composing & Arrangement _ Denis Sungho
C.Guitar _ Denis Sungho
Recording _ Yoon Jeongo at Akdang Ivan Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio
Mastering_ Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio

Jo Donghee.3 [Flower Sequence] Credit

Producer _ Jo Donghee
Production _ Micro Universe
Recording Engineer_ Yoon Jeongo . Kim Jinpyung . Lee Sangcheol . Lee Sungrok
Recording Studio_Tone Studio . Akdang Ivan Studio . Blue Red Studio . Micro Universe Studio
Mixing _ Jo Dongik at Rainbow Studio . Park Yongjun at Junis Studio
Mastering _ Hwang Byungjoon at Sound Mirror Studio
Artwork & Design_ Bak Yonghun
Designworks_ Zioon
Music Film_ Jo Donghee
Photo_ Kim Seunghwan
Press Promotion_ Your Summer
General Manager _ Jung Yujin
Distribution _ Music&New

Product Information Notice

• Product Name : Jo Donghee (Jo Donghee) - 3rd Regular Album [Flower Sequence]
• Origin : Korea
• Manufactured/Imported : Music&New
• Quality Assurance Standards : In accordance with relevant laws and consumer dispute resolution regulations.
• AS Responsible Contact Number : ALLKMAG, 070-8065-4645