Korean Singer Song Dae-kwan Passes Away: Tae Jin-ah Remembers His Close Friend

The music world mourns the loss of renowned Korean singer Song Dae-kwan, who passed away on the 7th. Fellow singer Tae Jin-ah shared his heartfelt memories of the late artist.

On the 7th, Tae Jin-ah told TenAsia, "I woke up late today and heard the news of my brother's passing. I was in shock and couldn't even lift my breakfast spoon," expressing his grief.

Tae Jin-ah recalled their recent communication last month, saying, "At the start of the new year, we exchanged well-wishes for health and happiness. Even during our calls, he was always concerned about my wife, Ok-kyung, and told me not to worry about him," he said, deeply saddened.

Reflecting on their past collaborations, Tae Jin-ah reminisced, "We shot countless commercials and performed at concerts together. He was like a real brother to me in the music industry, and it feels like the sky is falling," he lamented.

"Song Dae-kwan was a representative singer of our country," Tae Jin-ah stated, recalling their last performance together at a dinner show in 2023.

Tae Jin-ah mentioned that Song Dae-kwan had undergone surgery for bile duct cancer 3-4 years ago, "I thought he was fully recovered. When I asked about his health, he would say, 'Don't worry about me, take care of yourself.' My heart aches, and I can't eat," he mourned.

Tae Jin-ah and Song Dae-kwan were known as rivals and close friends, forming a unique duo in the trot music scene. Despite their playful banter on broadcasts and public appearances, their bond was genuinely deep.

According to Song Dae-kwan's representatives, he passed away early in the morning after experiencing severe pain and was rushed to the emergency room at Seoul National University Hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to a heart attack. His memorial will be held at the hospital's funeral hall.

Debuting in 1967 with "Kind-hearted Uncle," Song Dae-kwan endured a long period of obscurity before rising to fame in 1975 with "Sunny Day," earning the title of Singer of the Year. He continued to release hits like "Because of Love," "One Ticket," "Loud Bang Bang," and "My Hometown is South," becoming one of the 'Four Kings of Trot' alongside Hyeon Cheol, Tae Jin-ah, and Seol Woon-do. His hits "Four Beats" in 1998 and "Popular Song" in 2003 further cemented his legacy.