[Asia Economy Reporter Seomideum] "Hey, why are you so sad?" "Life is nothing, just smile."
The 49th-day memorial service for the late "eternal national MC" Song Hae, who passed away on the 8th of last month, was a heartfelt gathering of juniors honoring him. On the afternoon of the 26th, twelve junior cultural and artistic figures, including Lee Sang-byeok, Jo Young-nam, Jeon Won-ju, Choi Ju-bong, Shim Hyung-rae, Hyun-sook, and Kim Seong-hwan, took the stage at "Everyone's Theater" in Nakwon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul.
Reflecting Song Hae's often-used phrase, "Hey, why are you so sad," the event was filled with laughter from the 300-seat audience. A portrait of Song Hae with a smiling face was placed on the stage. The event was lightheartedly hosted by comedian Lee Yong-sik's witty remarks.
Singer Kim Seong-hwan took the first stage and sang "Don't Ask." The attendees clapped along to the song in response.
Singer Park Il-jun said, "Every week, Song Hae sunbaenim used to sing at this theater, and it's really disappointing not to see him," before singing "Life Is." Actor Jeon Won-ju, who tearfully read a eulogy saying, "I miss the teacher who suddenly left so much," passionately sang "Years of Motherly Love." Singer Jo Young-nam performed "Moran Dongbaek."
Singer Hyun-sook, who was especially close to Song Hae and called him "Dad," adapted the song "Oppa Is Doing Well" to "Dad Is Doing Well" and sang it. Comedian Shim Hyung-rae said, "Song Hae sunbaenim was like a father to us comedians," and played "Thinking of Oppa" on the trumpet.
Broadcaster Lee Sang-byeok, who was from the same hometown as Song Hae, passionately sang "Morning Glory Life," a song they often sang together during nationwide tours.
Kim Eun-joo, CEO of "Theater Selling Memories," who hosted the event, said, "Rather than a memorial event, this is an event to carry on the teacher's will," and added, "Inheriting the late's great will to create quality stages, we will offer the theater free of charge every Monday."
The memorial event was also held at Yongcheon Temple in Cheongdo, Gyeongbuk, on the same day. At this event, the late's posthumous work "Life Is Like That," which he participated in writing and composing, was unveiled for the first time. The event was attended by Venerable Uihyeon, head monk of Donghwasa Temple, Kim Ha-su, mayor of Cheongdo County, and Beopsa Lee Geon-ho.
Meanwhile, Song Hae was an eternal broadcaster who was responsible for "National Singing Contest" until the end of his life. He was listed in the Guinness World Records as the world's oldest TV music competition host. The late, who was born in the North, was laid to rest in Song Hae Park in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, which he considered his "second hometown." He was buried next to his wife Seok Ok-yi, who passed away earlier.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
