[Asia Economy Reporter Seo Mideum] 'After finishing a fulfilling day's work and stretching out both legs, it feels like the master bedroom of my hometown...'
Kim Gang-seop, who composed the military song 'Paldo Sanai,' passed away on the 9th due to an illness. He was 90 years old.
Known for his activities in the Army Headquarters Military Band and the Army Symphony Orchestra during the Korean War, the late musician built a reputation as a pop pianist after his discharge by working with various orchestras. After graduating from the composition department of Seoul National University College of Music, he joined KBS as the head of the light music orchestra in 1961 (later the KBS Symphony Orchestra) and also worked as a composer.
He produced numerous hit songs, including 'Bulnabi' (Kim Sang-guk, 1965), 'Cosmos Pieo Itneun Gil' (Kim Sang-hee, 1967), 'Ppalgan Seoninjang' (Kim Sang-hee, 1969), 'Geu Eolgure Haetsareul' (Lee Yong-bok, 1969), 'Kkum Namu' (Yuri Sisters, 1971), 'Huin Gureum Ganeun Gil' (Na Hoon-a, 1971), and 'Pacho-ui Kkum' (Moon Jeong-seon, 1972). His 1970 release 'Jal Itgeora Naejangsan-a' (Lee Sang-ryeol, Bae Ho) was commemorated with a song monument in the Naejangsan Water Park plaza in Jeongeup, Jeonbuk, his hometown. The military songs 'Neowa Na' and 'Paldo Sanai' are also his works.
He had a long-standing relationship with 'Gayo Stage.' From its inception in 1985, he was in charge of musical direction, and even after retiring in 1995, he continued as the permanent conductor until 2005, leading 'Gayo Stage' for 20 years.
He is survived by his spouse and three daughters. The funeral hall will be set up in Room 10 at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall on the 11th. The funeral procession will begin at 7 a.m. on the 13th, and the burial site is the National Seoul National Cemetery.
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