Composer Nam Guk-in of 'Nimgwa Hamkke' and 'Sinsadong Geu Saram' Passes Away at 82

Nam Guk-in (real name Nam Jeong-il), a composer who created numerous hit songs in the history of Korean popular music such as Nam Jin's "Nimgwa Hamkke," Joo Hyun-mi's "Sinsa-dong Geu Saram" and "Bi Naerineun Yeongdonggyo," and Na Hoon-a's "Sarang-eun Nunmul-ui Ssiyat," passed away around 7 p.m. on the 10th, according to his family. He was 82 years old.

Composer the late Nam Guk-in.
[Photo by family]

He graduated from Busan Baejeong Middle School and Baejeong High School. In his youth, he attended Kang Nam-ju's singing academy to become a singer, and later was discovered by composer Baek Young-ho, releasing the song "Nokseul-eun Gita" ("Rusty Guitar"). After his military discharge, he moved to Seoul and devoted himself to composing, debuting as a composer with Bae Ho's song "Nuga Meonjeo Malhaenna" ("Who Spoke First").

He composed countless popular songs including Bae Sung's "Sanai Blues," Kim Sang-jin's "Gohyang-i Joha" ("I Like My Hometown"), Nam Jin's representative hit "Nimgwa Hamkke" ("With You"), Na Hoon-a's "Sarang-eun Nunmul-ui Ssiyat" ("Love is the Seed of Tears") and "Gaji Mao" ("Don't Go"), Seol Woon-do's "Ilheobeorin 30 Nyeon" ("Lost 30 Years"), Park Il-nam's "Maeum-eun Seoreowodo" ("Though the Heart is Sad"), Joo Hyun-mi's "Bi Naerineun Yeongdonggyo" ("Rainy Yeongdong Bridge") and "Sinsa-dong Geu Saram" ("That Person in Sinsa-dong"), Jeon Young-rok's "Sarang-eun Yeonpil-lo Sseuseyo" ("Write Love with a Pencil"), and Kim Seung-jin's "Seujan," earning him the nickname "Hit Song Specialist" during his lifetime.

Additionally, he collaborated for over 30 years with his wife, lyricist Jung Eun-yi (1945?2020), producing many famous songs such as "Bi Naerineun Yeongdonggyo" and "Sinsa-dong Geu Saram," which drew much attention.

He received a commendation from the Minister of Culture and Tourism in 2000.

His surviving family includes his son Nam Sang-hee, daughter Nam Joo-hee, and son-in-law Ahn Byung-woong. The funeral is being held at Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital Funeral Hall, Room 7. The funeral procession will depart at 7 a.m. on the 13th, and the burial site is Sian Family Memorial Park in Gwangju, Gyeonggi Province.