A Brief Stardom Dancing to Son Dambi's "Crazy"
Passion for the Stage Despite a Life on Basic Livelihood Support
It was belatedly revealed that Ji Byungsoo, known as "Haldambi," who captured public attention for dancing to Son Dambi's "Crazy" on KBS 1TV's "National Singing Contest," passed away in October. He was 82 years old.
The late Ji Byungsoo, known as 'Haldambi,' who appeared on the National Singing Contest. KBS1 National Singing Contest
According to Yonhap News on December 17, Ji Byungsoo died of old age at the National Medical Center on October 30. Born as the youngest of eleven siblings in a wealthy family in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, he graduated from Jeonju Shinhung High School and dropped out of Hanyang University's Department of Trade. He led a diverse life, working at a construction company, running the "Duban" clothing store in Myeong-dong, and managing a bar in Sinchon. He also learned traditional dance and performed on stage in Japan.
However, after falling victim to fraud three times and losing his assets due to a wrongful loan guarantee, he became a recipient of basic livelihood support. Although he never married, he raised two adopted sons and spent his later years living alone in a rented room in Jongno-gu, Seoul. He was particularly fond of clothes, using two out of three rooms as closets, and owned 30 suits, 50 shirts, and 100 pairs of shoes.
On March 24, 2019, he appeared on the Jongno-gu episode of KBS 1TV's "National Singing Contest," which brought him widespread attention. Introducing himself as "the fashionista of Jongno," he sang and danced to Son Dambi's "Crazy," winning the popularity award. This stage earned him the nickname "Haldambi," a combination of "grandfather" and "Son Dambi," and he quickly rose to fame.
Afterward, starting with an appearance on KBS 2TV's "Entertainment Weekly" on March 29, 2019, Ji Byungsoo launched an official YouTube channel, became a model for Lotte Home Shopping, and appeared on tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" and KBS 1TV's "Human Theater - Haldambi Is Crazy," enjoying a brief but remarkable heyday. Song Dongho, whom he met through "National Singing Contest," became his manager, and in October 2019, he released a new song titled "Get Up."
Although his television appearances became rare after the COVID-19 pandemic, Song Dongho said, "He always said it was an honor to become a celebrity, even if just for a short while," and added, "Even while battling illness alone, he maintained inner peace through his Buddhist faith."
Ji Byungsoo's funeral was held without any relatives, but Song Dongho and his adopted sons served as chief mourners. The funeral was solemnly conducted on November 15, and he was laid to rest in the columbarium at Byeokje Municipal Cemetery.
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