Jang Yoon-jeong releases new song amid family fraud scandal

Singer Jang Yoon-jeong has released her first new song in approximately three years, opening up about deep emotional scars and the loneliness she had previously kept hidden. Her new single, "In the Sky," captures her journey of finding hope after moments of resenting the heavens in the face of life's suffering.

On the 20th, through a video released on her YouTube channel "Jang Gongjang Jang Yoon-jeong," Jang introduced "In the Sky" and explained the reasons behind her long hiatus from releasing new music.

"At some point, I felt like I was losing the meaning of releasing new songs," she confessed. "I felt like I had become lazy, and the pressure to conceive and execute a new track, along with thoughts like 'What if it doesn't go well,' piled up, so it has been a while since I released new music."

The lyrics of the song directly reflect the psychological struggles Jang has endured. They include lines such as, "Is there someone actually in the heavens? I barely stood up, but where did it all go wrong?", "Why on earth is this happening? Do you hate me that much?", and "Can you not see me, this pitiful me, who has nowhere to lean?"

Jang cited loneliness as the primary inspiration for the song. "Doesn't everyone go through difficult moments in life? I found that feeling lonely was the hardest part," she said. "I felt loneliness when I thought that I had to know this pain alone, experience it alone, and endure it alone."

She continued, "Looking up at the sky, I began to think, 'Is there even a being called God who watches over us?'" confessing that there were times during her most difficult periods when she looked to the sky in resentment and frustration.

However, those emotions did not end in resentment. Jang said, "Still, it felt like the heavens were watching us, and since there is nothing they can show us immediately, it felt like they were by my side through the cool breeze I love." She also explained that looking at the moon and full moon made her feel comforted, a sentiment she translated into the lyrics.

Regarding the phrase in the music video, "When you want to sit down and cry, I hope this song can at least serve as an excuse to cry," Jang revealed, "I was the first one to use the song as an excuse to cry."

She expressed a desire to turn her experience into comfort for others, saying, "If there are people enduring difficult situations, I hope they listen to this song and find strength."

Jang requested that listeners accept the song in their own way rather than searching for a specific interpretation. "I would be grateful even if just this much is conveyed: 'Oh, so this is how Jang Yoon-jeong feels lately,'" she said. "When one is sad, they need to empty their heart once in a while, and I hope this song can be helpful at those times. I hope you feel it with me and eventually find hope."

This confession draws significant attention as it coincides with the psychological burden Jang has faced due to recent family matters. Her mother, Ms. Yuk, was recently arrested and sent to the prosecution on charges of investment fraud involving tens of millions of won. Previously, JTBC's "Incident Chief" reported that Ms. Yuk is suspected of causing financial damage to victims after using her daughter's name to solicit investment funds related to "Miss Trot."

Jang has continued her career as a singer despite various controversies involving her family in the past. "In the Sky" holds a deeper meaning than a standard comeback; for a performer known for her bright energy and commanding stage presence, this song represents a rare, vulnerable moment of musical confession after a long silence.

Ultimately, "In the Sky" captures the process of a person who, at moments when it is difficult to even ask for help, questions the heavens, only to find small comforts in the wind and moonlight. It is a song that feels more like a private confession than a flashy stage performance.