"Thinking of Cheolmin, I cried a lot. Now I sing again" Do You Know 'Maronie Geu Ajeossi' Yoon Hyo-sang? [Han Seung-gon's Culture Notebook]

Busking Pioneer Known for 'Maronie Geu Ajossi' and 'Two Men in Daehangno'
Yoon Hyosang and Colleague Kim Cheolmin Celebrate 31 Years of Duet Performances This Year
Kim Cheolmin Suddenly Disappears from Streets Following 'Lung Cancer Diagnosis'
Cheolmin's News Brings Daily Tears for 4 Months
Preparing for 'Busking 30th Anniversary' Concert This Year... Welcomed by the Public

Singer Yoon Hyo-sang is playing the guitar at Marronnier Park in Daehangno, Seoul. Mr. Ahn has been performing street shows here for 31 years as a duet with comedian Kim Cheol-min. This year, they are planning a performance to celebrate the 30th anniversary of their shows. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] "Because of COVID-19, we couldn't perform or run our business, and I kept thinking of Cheol-min, crying every day..."

Marronnier Park, located between Hyehwa-dong Daehak-ro and Ihwa-dong in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is known as the holy ground of street performances (busking). The pioneers who made this place the holy ground of busking and the first generation of buskers are comedian Kim Cheol-min and singer Yoon Hyo-sang. Also famous as the so-called 'That Uncle from Marronnier' and 'The Two Men of Daehak-ro,' they have been performing here on weekends since 1990.

This year marks their 31st year. Even as the world changed three times over, they never stopped bringing laughter and emotion to many people. All the earnings from their street performances were donated to those in need.

However, when their colleague Kim Cheol-min was diagnosed with lung cancer, Yoon Hyo-sang suddenly disappeared. Then, rumors began circulating that they might have disbanded, or that they stopped busking because they could no longer perform due to COVID-19. People said Marronnier Park felt empty and expressed how much they missed them.

Marronnier Park in Daehangno. Unlike in the past, it appears quiet due to the impact of COVID-19. Photo by Seunggon Han hsg@asiae.co.kr

When public interest waned and various rumors circulated, I met Mr. Yoon Hyo-sang at Marronnier Park, like a scene from a movie. There was no prior interview plan. It was truly a 'surprise meeting.'

When we met, he was carrying a guitar and looking at passersby in the very spot where he used to perform. The sudden cancer diagnosis of a longtime colleague, the difficult performance situation due to COVID-19, the fading public interest?what was he thinking? The following is a Q&A with him.

Colleague Kim Cheol-min was diagnosed with lung cancer, and Yoon Hyo-sang suddenly disappeared from the streets. However, he has recently announced his active return and is preparing for a performance, drawing increased public attention. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

- I'm curious about how you've been. It seems you haven't been seen at Marronnier Park for a while. How have you been?

▲ First of all, with the COVID-19 situation overlapping, performances were difficult, and I had to make a living, so I ran a king prawn restaurant in the provinces and managed to get by that way.

- You've performed in front of the public for decades, but you ran a business. Did the business do well?

▲ It didn't go well (laughs).

- Due to COVID-19, the busking stages you used to be seen on every weekend disappeared. How do you feel when you see people passing by here now?

▲ When I come out here occasionally on weekends, I see people sitting, and it looks a bit lonely. I hope someone would perform to cleanse people's hearts.

- You haven't performed for a long time. Do you feel anxious or find it difficult?

▲ Those who know our performances know that we talk a lot and share many funny stories during shows. But since I've taken a long break, the repertoire doesn't come to mind easily. A lot of time has passed.

- We can't avoid talking about your colleague Cheol-min. His absence must have a big impact.

▲ One day, Cheol-min told me, "Hyung, I have terminal lung cancer." After hearing that, I cried for about four months. Since then, I usually don't care much, but seeing Cheol-min sing was very sad.

After saying this, Mr. Ahn briefly fell silent. Standing in the spot where he used to sing and play guitar, he just looked at the people passing by.

Comedian Kim Cheol-min and singer Yoon Hyo-sang are performing together on a broadcast. Photo by KBS, captured from 'Achim Madang'.

Comedian Kim Cheol-min is also famous as the younger brother of the late imitation singer 'Noh Hoon-ah.' He made a dazzling debut as an MBC 5th generation public comedian in 1994 and was SM Entertainment's first comedian.

In August 2019, he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. In September of that year, he attracted attention by taking the animal dewormer 'Fenbendazole' instead of hospital chemotherapy drugs, hoping for treatment effects.

However, in a broadcast last September, he declared stopping the medication, saying, "There was no anticancer effect, only elevated liver levels. The dewormer anticancer treatment failed." He is currently undergoing treatment at a nursing hospital.

The park where Kim Cheol-min and Yoon Hyo-sang, better known as 'Marronnier That Man' and 'The Two Men of Daehangno,' used to perform. Photo by Han Seung-gon hsg@asiae.co.kr

- So, are there no plans for performances anymore? Could you meet the public while maintaining social distancing?

▲ I've thought about that. How about performing while perfectly maintaining social distancing? A performance for everyone tired of COVID-19. We are preparing a '30th Anniversary of Busking' performance in April or May. Before that, I plan to tour the country to recover my condition and regain my senses.

I'm excited to see everyone again after such a long time. I will prepare hard and show you a wonderful performance. Thank you.