Park Gu-yoon "A Great Star in the Music Industry Who Raised Me on His Back"
Kim Su-chan "Honored to Sing on the Same Stage"
Trot singer Hyun Chul passed away on the 15th, and tributes for the late artist's final journey have continued from fellow and junior singers.
On the 16th, the news of Hyun Chul's passing was announced through composer Jung Won-su, a former colleague and manager. It was revealed that Hyun Chul had been battling a long-term illness due to nerve damage following cervical disc surgery. The late artist fought the illness through extended care but ultimately passed away.
Upon his passing, the music industry and trot singers were plunged into deep sorrow. As one of the "Four Kings of Trot," his presence carried great weight, which intensified the grief. Fellow and junior singers have been sharing memories and condolences, expressing their heartfelt sorrow.
Singer Park Gu-yoon mourned on his social media, saying, "Hyun Chul uncle has embarked on a journey to heaven. My father always said, 'Give Gu-yoon to me, I will raise him.' Hyun Chul uncle, a great star in the music industry who always cared for me and raised me on his back, has gone to heaven."
Sharing a photo taken with Hyun Chul during his childhood, Park Gu-yoon wrote, "He must have suffered a lot after a long battle with illness, and my heart truly aches. Please pray together for uncle's journey. I sincerely pray for the repose of his soul."
Park Gu-yoon's father is composer Park Hyun-jin, who composed Hyun Chul's signature song "Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong," and the two have shared a special bond. Last year, on TV Chosun's music variety show "Tuesday Night is Good," Park Gu-yoon revealed that he treats Hyun Chul like an uncle, which became a hot topic.
Singer Kim Soo-chan also expressed his emotions on social media, saying, "Teacher, may you rest in peace there... You took good care of me when I was a rookie... It was an honor to sing on the same stage with you. I will come to see you soon."
Additionally, Lee Ja-yeon, president of the Korea Singers Association, and fellow singers such as Seol Woon-do expressed their sadness over the news in interviews.
The sudden news also brought renewed attention to the late artist's final handwritten letter. In a special episode of TV Chosun's "Tuesday Night is Good" featuring the Hyun Chul Music Festival aired last December, the contents of a letter sent by Hyun Chul himself were recalled.
In the letter, he wrote, "I am so happy, grateful, and overwhelmed that talented juniors who are handsome, pretty, and really good singers, like sons and daughters, are appearing on my music festival and having a great time. I have stood on countless stages, but I feel so sad and regretful that I cannot be part of such a beautiful stage. Now, I will become a viewer and listener and gratefully enjoy your songs," which deeply moved the participants.
Hyun Chul debuted in 1969 with "Mujeonghan Geudae" after many years of obscurity. In 1974, he formed the pop song remake group "Hyun Chul and the Bees" and was active in Busan. Later, in the 1980s, he gained public love by consecutively hitting with songs such as "Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong," "Anjuna Seona Dangsin Saenggak," "Sarang-eun Nabi-ingabwa," and "Silta Silheo."
However, during his appearance on "Gayo Stage" in 2018, he showed signs of struggling while singing, causing concern among fans, and he effectively stopped activities due to health reasons afterward.
His last broadcast appearance was on KBS2's "Immortal Songs" in 2020, where he appeared as a legendary singer alongside Ha Chun-hwa.
The late artist is temporarily laid to rest at Hyemin Hospital in Guui-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. The funeral hall will be set up at Seoul Asan Medical Center.
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