Clarifies Retirement Rumors After Social Media Post
"I've Lived This Way for 35 Years... I Need Some Rest"
Lee Seunghwan (60), known as the 'Emperor of Live Performances,' has addressed rumors about his retirement from performing. After speculation arose that a recent post on his social media hinted at retirement, he personally clarified that he intends to pause concert production for a while and take a break.
On the morning of September 14, Lee Seunghwan posted on his social media, "After finishing a concert and coming home, I start preparing for another one. I have lived like this for 35 years," adding, "I will live this way only until November."
On September 1, he had also posted, "I will perform as Lee Seunghwan Band only until November. This has been on my mind for a long time," which sparked rumors of his retirement.
In response, on the same day, Lee Seunghwan stated via social media, "I have taken charge of every aspect of my concerts, from A to Z, producing three to four shows every year. I mean that I will not produce concerts for the time being," and added, "The tour ends in November. I will also take some rest." He clarified that this is not retirement, but rather a period of recharging.
Currently, Lee Seunghwan is on a nationwide tour titled 'Heaven' to celebrate the 35th anniversary of his debut. He completed a performance in Gunsan, North Jeolla Province the previous day, and will conclude the tour with shows in Mokpo, South Jeolla Province on September 27 and Daejeon on October 25.
Additionally, the charity concert series 'Live Kindly,' which had continued for 20 years, concluded with its twentieth performance on October 19 last year. 'Live Kindly,' which began in 2001, donated all its proceeds to the Korea Pediatric Leukemia Foundation. Through these concerts, Lee Seunghwan has supported treatment costs, psychological counseling, and socialization programs for children with cancer. The cumulative donations, including contributions from fans, have surpassed 1.3 billion won.
Debuting in 1989 with his first album 'B.C 603,' Lee Seunghwan has produced numerous hit songs such as 'As Much Love as Is Sown in the World,' 'The Days I Waited, The Days That Will Be Erased,' 'Dunk Shoot,' and 'For a Thousand Days.' In particular, his explosive vocal power and live performances have earned him the nickname 'Emperor of Performances.' In 2019, he set a world record for the longest concert with 'Last Party - Monster,' which lasted 9 hours, 30 minutes, and 30 seconds.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
