"I Hate the Word 'Retirement'..." Na Hoon-a Steps Down from the Microphone After 56 Years

'Thank You' Official Retirement Announced at Incheon Concert

"I will no longer sit in front of the piano. I won't touch the guitar, and even if I read books, I won't write."

2024 Na Hoon-a Concert 'Thank You' (Last Concert)
[Photo by Yea Ra]

Singer Na Hoon-a declared his retirement after 56 years since his debut.

On the 27th at 3 p.m. at Songdo Convensia in Incheon, during his nationwide retirement tour 'Thank You' (Last Concert (LAST CONCERT)), Na Hoon-a said, "Thank you so much for giving me your precious time today. I will do well today. I won't just try my best; I will definitely do well," adding, "There are many reasons why I have to do well, but first of all, this Incheon performance will be the last one."

He then asked, "Are you sad that I am quitting?" When fans replied, "Yes, we are sad," he responded, "That's why I am quitting. How sad would it be if you weren't upset to see me turn away?"

Na Hoon-a confessed, "Do you know how hard it was not to say anything until now? When having fun or passing by, even if there was something delicious, I just endured it, thinking 'Let's hold back, don't eat it,' and lived like that."

He continued, "Now I will talk about how I will live. I want to visit places I haven't been to, eat things I haven't eaten, and do these things while my legs are still healthy. Actually, even if I perform for three or four hours, I am fine. But I want to live doing what I want while my legs are still healthy."

Singer Na Hoon-a. [Photo by Ye Ara]

He said, "During the time I was singing, the president changed 11 times, but I am still doing this," and added, "Many things happened during that time. As someone who performs and makes music, I thought about the unforgettable moments."

He also recalled a memorable moment in his singing career: "In 1997, I went to Sorokdo with SBS for the performance 'Na Hoon-a and the Spring of Sorokdo.' It was a heartbreaking place where patients were isolated separately. While performing, my heart was touched and pained. During the performance, I decided to take song requests from the patients, but I just couldn't sing on stage. So I went down and embraced a woman who requested a song and sang to her." Na Hoon-a passionately sang 'Life is Unfinished,' which he performed at that time.

Regarding retirement rumors related to health issues raised by some, he firmly denied them. Na Hoon-a said, "I saw on YouTube that some fortune teller said I would die next year, and another said they saw me being sick, but don't believe any of that," emphasizing, "In February this year, I had 25 tests including blood tests, and there were no problematic results. The doctor was so surprised."

He also explained in a public letter why he said he was 'putting down the microphone' instead of 'retiring': "The reason I don't say retirement is because I dislike that word. It feels like being pushed away. I can still do it. (Even though I can, I am quitting,) so I said I am putting down the microphone."

At the end of the performance, Na Hoon-a said, "Now I am really putting down the microphone. Because of that, I can't sing anymore," and asked the fans, "You have to do it." After attaching the microphone to a drone, he left the stage.

Earlier, Na Hoon-a hinted at his retirement in a letter announcing his concert in February. With his official retirement declaration on stage at the Incheon performance, fans are expressing sadness and regret.

Na Hoon-a debuted in 1968 with 'My Love' and gained great popularity with hits such as 'Love,' 'Why Do You Cry,' 'Weeds,' 'Musiro,' 'Hometown Station,' 'Mother,' and 'Ddengbeol.' In 2020, he became a hot topic with 'Tess Hyung' and continued active activities as an active singer until recently.

Right after his debut in the 1970s, Na Hoon-a gained popular fame, captivating fans with his vocal ability and unique charisma on stage. Having recorded 2,600 songs, composed 800 songs, and released over 120 hit songs, he was engraved in the public as the Emperor of Trot and the 'Ga-hwang' (King of Singers).

Na Hoon-a will continue his nationwide tour concerts following the Incheon performance at 3 p.m. on the 28th, with stops in Cheongju on May 11, Ulsan on May 18, Changwon on June 1, Cheonan on June 15, Wonju on June 22, and Jeonju on July 6.