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| ▲ In this pool photo, the memorial hall for singer Song Dae-kwan is set up at Seoul National University Hospital Funeral Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Feb. 7, 2025. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Despite the freezing temperatures, fellow singers and colleagues from the entertainment industry continued to visit the memorial hall of the late singer Song Dae-kwan, who passed away on Friday at the age of 79.
Tae Jin-ah, a longtime rival and close junior of the deceased, arrived at the memorial with a solemn expression. Meeting with reporters after paying his respects, he expressed his grief, saying, “It feels like I’ve lost one of my wings. I don’t think I can casually say things like, ‘Song Dae-kwan, are you watching?’ on broadcasts anymore.”
He recalled, “Just last month, we exchanged New Year’s greetings over the phone and talked about finally organizing another ‘Rival Dinner Show.’ We were making plans, but after hearing today’s news, I was at a loss for words, and everything went dark before my eyes.”
Lee Ja-yeon, president of the Korea Singers Association, also visited the memorial and remembered the deceased as a senior who never hesitated to offer warm words and advice. She shared, “When the song ‘Four Beats’ (Ne Bak Ja) was released, he told me he hadn’t decided on a title yet, so I suggested that ‘Four Beats’ would be better than ‘Kung Jjak.’ The song went on to receive a lot of love, which made me very happy. I also believe that many people found hope and dreams in his song ‘Sunny Days’ (Hae Tteul Nal). We will not forget him, so that he does not leave this world alone.”
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| ▲ Singer Tae Jin-ah (L) and Lee Ja-yeon visit the memorial hall of the late Song Dae-kwan. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Singer Kang Jin described Song Dae-kwan as “a singer who felt like a friendly older brother from the neighborhood.” He added, “When I heard the news of his passing, I couldn’t believe it, so I rushed here. I hope he no longer suffers and rests in peace in a better place.”
Other figures, including singer Hye Eun-i and actor Choi Daniel, also visited the memorial to pay their respects. Singers Cho Yong-pil, Lim Young-woong, and Hyun Dang, as well as composer Park Hyun-jin and singer Park Gu-yoon, sent floral tributes. Broadcaster Kim Gu-ra also sent a wreath in remembrance of the late singer.
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| ▲ Singer Kang Jin pays respects at Song Dae-kwan’s Memorial Hall on Feb. 7, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
The alumni of Song Dae-kwan’s alma mater, Yeongsaeng High School in Jeonju, faced difficulties traveling to Seoul due to the heavy snowfall that had continued since the previous day. As a result, they set up a separate memorial space at their alumni hall in Jeonju.
Hong Sung-taek, executive vice president of the Yeongsaeng High School Alumni Association, told Yonhap News, “Song Dae-kwan was a symbolic figure among our alumni and played a leading role in promoting our high school. He attended every alumni event, including last year’s, so his passing has come as a great shock and sadness to all of us.”
Song Dae-kwan made his debut in 1967 with the song A Kindhearted Man and later released numerous hit songs, including Sunny Days, Pop Song (Yu Haeng Ga), and Four Beats. His music resonated with the working class and was regarded as a source of hope during South Korea’s period of rapid economic growth.
Since the 1970s, he remained an active figure in the industry and was regarded as one of the “Four Kings of Trot,” alongside Tae Jin-ah, Seol Woon-do, and the late Hyun Chul.
According to his family, Song Dae-kwan had complained of feeling unwell the previous day and was taken to the emergency room at Seoul National University Hospital, where he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and passed away during treatment.
He is survived by his wife and two sons. His funeral will be held on Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m. under the auspices of the Korea Singers Association, with the burial ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. His final resting place will be the Seoul Memorial Park.
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