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| ▲ This undated Yonhap file photo shows South Korean star trot singer Song Dae-kwan. (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Feb. 7 (Yonhap) -- Trot singer Song Dae-kwan, who gained immense popularity with hits such as Hae Tteul Nal (The Day the Sun Rises), passed away on Friday morning at the age of 79.
According to his family, Song had complained of feeling unwell the day before and visited the emergency room at Seoul National University Hospital. While receiving treatment, he suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and passed away. His family also stated that he had recently been hospitalized for candidiasis but had been discharged after showing signs of improvement.
Born in 1946 in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, Song Dae-kwan made his debut in 1967 with Injeong Maneun Ajeossi (A Kind-hearted Gentleman).
After spending more than a decade as an obscure singer, he rose to stardom in 1975 when Hae Tteul Nal became a massive hit, earning him the title of MBC Singer of the Year. However, as live theater shows—a major source of income for singers at the time—began to decline, he suddenly immigrated to the United States. After more than a decade abroad, he returned to South Korea in 1989 and successfully revived his career with hits like Jeong Ttaemune (Because of Affection).
Even as performance opportunities for veteran singers dwindled in the 1990s, Song continued to produce hit songs such as Nega Mwonde (Who Do You Think You Are?), Chapyohan Jang (A Ticket), Gohyang-i Namjjok-irhaetji (They Said My Hometown Was South), Yuhaengga (Popular Song), and Nebakja (Four Beats), maintaining his popularity. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he remained a leading figure in the expansion and development of the trot genre, earning him a place alongside Tae Jin-ah, Hyun Chul, and Seol Woon-do as one of the "Four Kings of Trot."
In particular, he formed a close friendship and friendly rivalry with Tae Jin-ah, frequently appearing together on TV entertainment programs and concert stages. The duo also held joint concerts, further solidifying their influence in the trot industry.
Riding on his widespread popularity, Song received numerous accolades, including MBC's Top 10 Singer Award and KBS's Best Singer Award in the Adult Music Category. In 2001, he was honored with the Ok-gwan Cultural Medal.
Following Nam Jin, he served as the second president of the Korea Singers Association from 2008 to 2010, actively advocating for the rights of singers. During his tenure in 2009, he filed a lawsuit against a Japanese karaoke company for the unauthorized use of Korean trot songs.
Music critic Park Sung-seo reflected on Song’s legacy, stating, "During the 1970s, when South Korea was striving for economic growth under the slogan ‘Let’s Live Well,’ Song Dae-kwan’s Hae Tteul Nal became an anthem that gave hope and strength to the people. He was a self-made artist who earned immense love for his down-to-earth and relatable music."
His funeral will be held at Seoul National University Hospital’s funeral hall in Jongno, Seoul.
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