Kimcheon Yego 'Tbaroti Jip' Signboard Removal
Kim Hojung Sorigil Demolition Status Still Undecided
Singer Kim Ho-jung, who is accused of hit-and-run under the influence, appeared at the Seoul Central District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 24th for a warrant hearing (pre-arrest suspect interrogation). Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
The signboard of the 'Tbaroti House,' which was installed at the resting place of singer Kim Ho-joong's alma mater and has been detained on charges of drunk driving hit-and-run, has been removed. 'Tbaroti' is a combination of 'Trot' and 'Pavarotti,' and is one of Kim's nicknames.
On the 29th, Yonhap News reported, "Gyeongbuk Gimcheon Arts High School removed the 'Tbaroti House' signboard and photos related to Kim at the school's resting pavilion the day before." A representative from Gimcheon Arts High School told Yonhap News, "We removed all items related to Kim, including the Tbaroti House signboard, yesterday," adding, "The pavilion that was the Tbaroti House will be used as a student resting area." The pavilion, an 8.5-pyeong (approximately 28 square meters) resting place, was built in 2020 with support from Gimcheon City. The school named it 'Tbaroti House' and installed photos and press releases related to Kim.
Meanwhile, voices calling for the removal of the 'Kim Ho-joong Sound Street' installed in Gimcheon City are also rising. 'Kim Ho-joong Sound Street' is a tourism-specialized street created by Gimcheon City in 2021 with an investment of 200 million won. The approximately 100-meter-long alley is decorated in purple, the symbolic color of Kim's fan cafe, and features Kim's song lyrics and murals throughout.
On the Gimcheon City Hall website, posts such as 'Remove Kim Ho-joong Sound Street,' 'Request to remove Kim Ho-joong Street harmful to children,' and 'Strongly urge the removal of Kim Ho-joong Sound Street that damages Gimcheon City's image' have been posted one after another. A citizen who filed a complaint emphasized, "The street named after a person who has given many people a negative perception due to socially inappropriate behavior should be removed."
On the other hand, former principal A of Gimcheon Arts High School said on the 22nd, before Kim's detention, "It is regrettable to see people trying to destroy someone through harsh public opinion against Kim Ho-joong," and questioned, "Why is it that the mistakes of a powerless singer are not tolerated, while serious politicians are treated so leniently?"
However, a statement opposing the removal of 'Sound Street' was also issued by fans. The day before, the Kim Ho-joong fan community 'Kim Ho-joong Gallery' posted a statement titled 'Statement Opposing the Removal of Kim Ho-joong Sound Street.' The fans said, "Since Kim Ho-joong Sound Street has established itself as a representative tourist attraction in Gimcheon City, we believe removal is premature and that the matter should be discussed after the sentence is confirmed through future trials." It is known that Gimcheon City has not yet decided whether to remove it.
Meanwhile, Kim is accused of driving under the influence and fleeing the scene after colliding with an oncoming taxi on a road in Apgujeong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, around 11:40 p.m. on the 9th. Kim is currently detained and under investigation at the Gangnam Police Station in Seoul.
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