Singer Cho Yong-pil, known as the “king of pop” in Korea for his five-decade-long career, will reportedly make a comeback this year with a new album.

According to K-pop industry insiders on Wednesday, Cho recently started the production process for an album and is currently creating new tracks.

“Cho is speeding up, aiming to release a new album within this year,” said an anonymous individual in the singer’s team.

If released this year, the album will be Cho’s first music in nine years since his 19th full-length album “Hello” (2013).

Whether the release will be an EP or his 20th full-length album is unknown.

Cho is reportedly not limiting himself to any certain genre.

The singer debuted in 1968 and rose to stardom in 1976 through his hit “Come Back to Busan Harbor.” His first full-length album in 1980 was the first million-seller in Korean pop music history.

BY HALEY YANG [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]