Trot singer the late Song Dae-kwan has become a star in the sky.
On the morning of the 9th at 9:30 AM, the funeral service for the late Song Dae-kwan was held at the Seoul National University Hospital funeral hall in Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, as the president of the Korean Singer Association. Attendees included Tae Jin-ah, Lee Ja-yeon, Bae Il-ho, Seol Woon-do, Park Sang-cheol, Kim Soo-chan, and Kim Chang-yeol, who came to bid farewell to the deceased.
The ceremony was hosted by singer Yeom Jeong-hoon, the welfare committee chairman of the Korean Singer Association, and the president of the association, Lee Ja-yeon, read the eulogy. The tributes were delivered by Tae Jin-ah and Kang Jin, who were close friends of the deceased.
Lee Ja-yeon expressed through the eulogy, “Hearing the sudden news of my senior’s passing left me speechless, and I could only respond with tears. We, the juniors, will never forget your humorous and warm smile and your precious songs. Goodbye, brother, senior. I love you,” as she bid farewell.
Tae Jin-ah, who was also a close friend of the deceased, expressed his sorrow while sending off the late Song Dae-kwan.
Tae Jin-ah said, “(After my brother left) I didn’t eat for three days and filled my stomach with alcohol. I feel that broadcasting will not be as fun without my brother in heaven.” He added, “My wife, who has dementia, asked, ‘Oh, how? Why?’ when I told her that Dae-kwan had passed away. I hugged my wife and cried. I wondered how close he was to us that even my wife, who can’t remember, would remember him.”
He continued, “Please rest comfortably in a good place, and create a good spot for me when I can come. Someday, I will come to your side, brother. Dae-kwan, goodbye. Oh, my eternal rival,” as he waved his hand at the portrait of the deceased.
Seol Woon-do, who was also known as one of the ‘Four Kings of Trot’ along with the deceased, took the microphone.
Seol Woon-do reminisced, “These days, our music is receiving a lot of love. He was the one who made that music beloved,” and added, “What I remember about my senior is that he was very ambitious. He was a hardworking singer who had to become the best in his field.”
He continued, “Not long ago, I lost my senior Hyun-cheol, and now I hear this news, and I am very shocked. However, it comforts me that you all have given him great love. He left this world smiling while doing what he wanted on stage until the end, so as a junior, my heart aches, but I am relieved that he pursued his dream. I hope he rests peacefully there.”
Song Dae-kwan passed away from a heart attack on the morning of the 7th at around 10 AM, at the age of 79. According to officials, he had been hospitalized the day before due to poor condition and suddenly passed away that day. It was reported that he had no underlying health conditions.
Song Dae-kwan debuted in 1967 with “A Kind Uncle.” After a period of obscurity, he reached his peak in 1975 with the hit “The Day the Sun Rises.” He left behind numerous hit songs such as “One Train Ticket,” “Four Beats,” and “Popular Song,” and was also known as one of the ‘Four Kings of Trot’ along with Tae Jin-ah, Seol Woon-do, and the late Hyun-cheol.
The sudden death of Song Dae-kwan has plunged the music industry into mourning. Tae Jin-ah, Hye-eun, Ha Chun-hwa, Seol Woon-do, and Bae Il-ho visited the mortuary, while Jo Yong-pil, Lim Young-woong, Young-tak, Kang Seok, Han Hye-jin, and Son Tae-jin sent wreaths to express their condolences. Tributes also continued on social media.
The last appearance of the deceased can be seen on KBS1’s “National Singing Contest.” Song Dae-kwan filmed episodes in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, and Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, last October, and the recorded segments are scheduled to air on the 16th and March 2nd.
After the funeral service on that day, the burial ceremony was held at 11 AM. Tae Jin-ah, Seol Woon-do, and Kang Jin carried the deceased’s coffin, bidding a tearful farewell on the final journey. The deceased will rest at the Utopia Memorial Hall in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province, after passing through the Seoul Memorial Park.
[Lee Da-kyum, Star Today Reporter]
