Singer Hyeoncheol of 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' and 'Silta Silheo' passes away during nerve damage recovery (Comprehensive)

Passed away on the afternoon of the 15th after a battle with illness at age 82
Seoul Asan Hospital funeral hall prepared

Hyun Chul (real name Kang Sang-su), a trot singer who gained great popularity in the 1980s and 90s with hit songs such as 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' and 'Silta Silheo,' passed away on the afternoon of the 15th due to an illness. He was 82 years old.

Singer Hyun Chul.
Photo by Yonhap News

On the 16th, composer Jung Won-su, who was the late singer's manager in the past, conveyed that Hyun Chul passed away at Hyemin Hospital on the 15th due to his illness.

Born in 1942, he debuted at the age of 27 in 1969 with the song 'Mujeonghan Geudae.' However, unlike popular singers at the time such as Na Hoon-a and Nam Jin, he was unable to make a name for himself and endured a long period of obscurity.

Later, in 1974, he formed the pop song remake group ‘Hyun Chul and Beolttedeul’ and was active mainly in his hometown of Busan.

In the 1980s, he rose to fame as a popular singer by consecutively hitting trot songs such as 'Anjuna Seona Dangsin Saenggak' and 'Sarang-eun Nabi-inga Bwa.'

In 1985, the remake of ‘Cheongchuneul Dolryeodao’ (original singer Shin Haeng-il), which he performed together with singer Na Hoon-a, became a decisive moment that engraved his name in the public's mind.

Also, the 1988 release 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' gained unprecedented popularity with its poignant lyrics, "Son-daemyeon tokhago teojil geotman gateun geudae / Bongseonhwara bureuri / Deo isang chamji mothal geuri-umeul / Gaseum gipi muldeuligo," and Hyun Chul's unique melodious singing style.

With this 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong,' Hyun Chul won the grand prize at KBS's 'Gayo Daesang' in 1989, and followed it up with the hit 'Silta Silheo' in 1990, winning the grand prize two years in a row and enjoying his heyday.

'Silta Silheo' remains one of his representative songs loved by the public, with its addictive melody and familiar lyrics, "Silta Silheo kkumdo sarangdo~ / Silta Silheo saenggageul malja~."

After receiving the grand prize at the 'Gayo Daesang' in 1989 following a long period of obscurity, he broke down in tears and said, "My father passed away a month ago, and I wish he had lived just one more month. I've been in the music industry for 20 years, and I am truly sorry to my father for being unfilial while he was alive," touching the hearts of viewers.

Afterwards, he continued active by releasing various new songs such as ‘Sarang-ui Imeupyo’ and ‘Dangsin Eopsin,’ and was called one of the ‘Four Great Emperors of Trot’ along with fellow singers Seol Woon-do, Tae Jin-ah, and Song Dae-kwan, leading the genre's golden age.

However, during his appearance on KBS's 'Gayo Stage' in 2018, he showed signs of difficulty while singing 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong,' causing concern among fans.

Hyun Chul was known to have suffered from deteriorating health due to nerve damage after undergoing cervical disc surgery several years ago and had been battling illness for a long time. Because of this, he was unable to attend the funerals of broadcaster Song Hae and singer Hyun Mi, with whom he had a special bond through appearances on ‘KBS National Singing Contest,’ according to music industry insiders.

The late singer's funeral will be held at Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall. He is survived by one son and one daughter.