Sampling Yoon Shi-nae’s song in “CLOSE YOUR EYES,” the burden and responsibility reflected in “Drop That!”
The group CLOSE YOUR EYES attempted a musical dialogue across generations by sampling a song by Yoon Shi-nae. The song sampled was Yoon Shi-nae’s 1979 track “Enjoy This Night,” and the new song, titled “Drop That!,” is not actually called “Close Your Eyes,” but is the title track of their fourth mini-album, “256th Note.”
According to a report by Yonhap News, the members of CLOSE YOUR EYES said at an album-release press event held on September 30, 2026, that they felt burdened by sampling a song by Yoon Si-nae and wanted to properly understand the original song and reinterpret it in their own way.
A modern reinterpretation of Yoon Shi-nae’s “Enjoy This Night.”
“Drop That!” is a song that combines the improvisational nature of jazz with the rhythmic sensibilities of 1990s street hip-hop, based on Yoon Shi-nae’s “Enjoy This Night.” Its characteristic feature is not to simply reproduce the original song’s sentiment, but to translate the musical colors of the past into the performance style of the present through sampling.
According to the agency and the album description, “256th Note” is an album inspired by the momentary movements in instrumental performance and the unique freedom of jazz. “Drop That!” also blends elements of jazz funk and hip hop, demonstrating the group’s new direction rather than staying within a conventional genre.
The artist’s burden and responsibility regarding sampling
Sampling an old song does not end with simply incorporating a familiar melody. It requires understanding the historical context and emotional nuances of the original song, and creating a unique work of art that does not compromise those elements.
Song Seung-ho stated at a meeting that the song by Yoon Shi-nae was music from the 1970s, before the members were born, and that they studied the original song and shared their interpretations among themselves. This process indicates that they viewed sampling not as a simple borrowing, but as a work of musical research and reinterpretation.
According to a report by the Korean Economy, the members recognized Yoon Shi-nae’s music and 1990s street hip-hop as music that existed before their generation, and they prepared to naturally connect the rhythm and performance of the songs. While being aware of the influence of the original songs, they attempted to express the songs on stage through their own expressions and gestures.
The meaning of “Drop That!” connecting generations and genres
Yoon Shi-nae’s powerful vocals and dramatic emotional expression, combined with sampling, met with the rhythms of a new generation. “CLOSE YOUR EYES” added the spontaneity of jazz funk and the unique sampling sensibilities of hip-hop, creating a different energy from the original song.
In particular, this project does not simply reproduce the music of senior artists; rather, it places the essence of the original song within a new genre. It is an example of how past masterpieces can be reinterpreted and function within the context of current idol music and performances.
The members also explained that Yoon Shi-nae readily agreed to the sampling, which further enhances the meaning of this song. This is because a structure has been created where a junior artist respects and reinterprets the music of a senior artist, and the original artist supports the creation of a new generation.
‘256th Note’ Expands Musical Spectrum
The fourth mini-album, “256th Note,” released on September 30, 2026, includes 7 tracks, including “Drop That!,” as well as “Open Your Eyes,” “Vibe Check,” “Slowly Bleed,” “Fool For You,” “Baby Bossa Nova,” and “Eternity.” The album as a whole combines the spontaneity originating from jazz with the lyrical sensibility characteristic of CLOSE YOUR EYES.
This sampling also signifies the group’s declaration that they will not be limited to a specific genre. While the song originated from a composition by Yoon Shi-nae, it ultimately became a piece completed with the rhythm, choreography, and stage presence of CLOSE YOUR EYES, demonstrating the potential for collaboration across generations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. What song by Yoon Shi-nae was sampled in the song “CLOSE YOUR EYES”?
A. This is the song “Enjoy This Night” by Yoon Shi-nae, released in 1979. The group CLOSE YOUR EYES used a portion of this song as the main theme for their song “Drop That!”.
Q. Is the title of the sampled song “Close Your Eyes”?
A. That is incorrect. “CLOSE YOUR EYES” is the group’s name, and the title of the new song that samples a song by Yoon Shi-nae is “Drop That!”.
Q. What genre is the song “Drop That!”?
This song combines elements of jazz funk with 1990s street hip hop, based on a composition by Yoon Shi-nae. It utilizes the improvisational nature of jazz and the sampling techniques of hip hop.
Q. How did the members of CLOSE YOUR EYES prepare the samples?
A. The members researched the original songs, studied their musical characteristics, and discussed how to incorporate them into their performances. This was a project that considered both respect for the original work and a modern interpretation.
Q. How many songs are included in “256th Note”?
A total of 7 songs are included on the album, and “Drop That!” is the album’s title track.
