Hwang Chi-yeul's Comeback Thrills Chinese Fans

Hwang Chi-yeul unveiled his second mini-album titled "Be Myself" on Tuesday to cement his return to music and thank fans for their unwavering support.

"I'd like to dedicate the single The Only Star to my fans. In the past, I've sung sorrowful ballads, but I wanted to bring grateful, blissful feelings to fans this time," Hwang said during his first-ever showcase held at YES24 MUV Hall in western Seoul.

"Be Myself" marks Hwang's return to music after 10 months since the release of his first mini-album "Be Ordinary" in 2017, which found substantial success by becoming the best-selling record by a solo male artist since veteran singer Cho Yong-pil's "Hello" in 2012.

For the last 10 months, Hwang has focused more on emceeing "Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend" and "The Unit" and performing in China and Southeast Asia. He participated in writing and composing four of the album's seven songs.

Reaching a peak in his singing career, he has found popularity in China.

Although Hwang enjoys unforeseen popularity in China, there had been times when Hwang was blocked from appearing on Chinese TV programs in 2016. Back then Chinese authorities banned Korean celebrities amid a diplomatic dispute over the plan to deploy a U.S. missile defense system on the Korean Peninsula. The 36-year-old was abruptly replaced by another actor and removed from TV appearances. But Hwang's devoted fans in China brought him back to stage shortly after.

There are several episodes of his fans in China that arouse astonishment due to their large scale and loyalty. In November, Hwang's China fans posted the copies of receipts worth 900 million won ($828,000) with which they purchased Hwang's albums on Weibo. This took place as Chinese fans wanted to surprise the singer for his birthday on Dec. 3.

To celebrate Hwang's comeback in April, his Chinese fans made a special video of him, which went viral online, rising to the top 3 on Weibo as...