'Sugarman 3' The Cross Kim Hyuk-geon "Paralyzed in Traffic Accident... Will Keep Singing"

JTBC 'Sugarman 3' Group The Cross / Photo by JTBC

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Lim Juhyung] The group The Cross, who appeared on JTBC's entertainment program 'To You Project - Sugarman 3' (Sugarman 3), passionately sang a song they released in the past.

The JTBC 'Sugarman 3' episode aired on the 14th was themed 'Rediscovered Songs Special.' On this broadcast, The Cross appeared and performed the song "Don't Cry (Don Cry)" released in 2003.

Member Kim Hyukgeon, who was in a wheelchair, came to the center of the stage with the help of Lee Siha and sang. After finishing the song, Kim Hyukgeon shared his feelings, saying, "I never dreamed I would sing this song on stage again. I thought I would never be able to sing again because of my illness, but I am deeply moved to be able to sing with Siha again after 17 years."

He continued, "After a traffic accident in 2012, I was diagnosed with paralysis of all four limbs. I have no sensation and cannot move below my shoulders. I cannot produce high notes because I cannot do diaphragmatic breathing, and speaking for a long time is difficult. However, the Seoul National University Robot Convergence Research Institute created a robotic device to assist with diaphragmatic breathing, and I am trying to sing again using that machine," he explained.

He added, "If I keep practicing, the day will come when I can sing songs like before," which moved those around him.

Lee Siha said, "After the accident, Hyukgeon could only do classical vocalization and could not reach high notes. But Hyukgeon practiced really hard. I was surprised. I didn't know he had been practicing alone secretly for a year," he said.

The group The Cross, which includes Lee Siha and Kim Hyukgeon, debuted in 2003.

Meanwhile, JTBC's 'Sugarman 3' is an entertainment program that searches for singers who once dominated an era in the Korean music industry but have since disappeared.