[Sports Chosun Reporter Kim So-hee] The life of singer Kim Hyun-sik, who passed away at the age of 32, was unveiled.
On the broadcast of ‘The Secret of Celebrity Soldier’ on the 18th, the life of the late Kim Hyun-sik and the story surrounding ‘November 1st’ were shared.
Kim Hyun-sik left behind numerous hit songs such as ‘Like Rain, Like Music’, ‘I Loved You’, and ‘Dream of a Summer Night’. Many junior singers like IU, Kyuhyun, and Sung Si-kyung have reinterpreted his songs, carrying on his legacy. Lee Chan-won expressed his extraordinary fan spirit, saying, “I also sang ‘I Loved You’. I’m 30 years old this year, but I’ve liked it since I was 10, 20 years ago.”
However, Kim Hyun-sik departed from his fans after his 6th album. He was 32 years old at the time.
Despite his illness, Kim Hyun-sik was passionate enough to perform on stage while hospitalized. He once said on stage, “I’m not sick, I just drank too much. So don’t drink,” though he was already suffering from cirrhosis of the liver.
A sports newspaper reported on Kim Hyun-sik’s health saying, “It’s serious. The worst-case scenario is expected.” Despite this, he pushed on with demanding schedules, even appearing on TV programs he hadn’t done before.
Notably, when Kim Hyun-sik received the song ‘The Terminal of Farewell’, he commented, “Is this song telling me to die.” Indeed, he passed away eight months after releasing ‘The Terminal of Farewell’.
Kim Hyun-sik’s death came as a shock, and it was completely unexpected. Everyone knew he was ill, but until three days before his death, he was recording his 6th album and even discussed future schedules with his agency director two hours prior to his passing.
It turns out Kim Hyun-sik had a hidden side. He released an album in 1980 but didn’t receive much public attention and formed the band ‘Kim Hyun-sik and Spring Summer Fall Winter’ with Yoo Jae-ha in 1986, although Yoo Jae-ha left after just six months.
Kim Hyun-sik enjoyed the peak of his career with ‘Like Rain, Like Music’ but was notorious in the broadcasting world for his artistic sensitivity. He even canceled broadcasts if he was unhappy with the sound quality.
In an interview, Kim Hyun-sik was asked, “People say you’re uncompromising, stubborn and have a strong personality. What do you think?” He replied, “I think that’s correct, but I’m not uncompromising. To put it nicely, I have a sense of justice, which makes my music honest.”
However, the good times didn’t last. He got embroiled in a marijuana scandal. Surprisingly, it was his mother who reported him to the police to protect him.
The tragedy didn’t end there. The day after Kim Hyun-sik was arrested, in the early hours of November 1, 1987, Yoo Jae-ha died in a car accident. Amidst numerous incidents, his wife left with their son to live with her in-laws, while his close-knit mother and sister moved to Canada, leaving Kim Hyun-sik completely alone.
In his solitude and sorrow, Kim Hyun-sik returned to the stage for the first time in February 1988. Despite his worries and deep reflection, he shaved his head and took the stage, moved by the overwhelming support and cheers from the audience. Known for being prickly, Kim Hyun-sik began to change, deciding to reciprocate the fans’ support. He vowed never to touch marijuana again.
However, Kim Hyun-sik couldn’t overcome the tormenting loneliness caused by estranged family and colleagues. This led him to start drinking heavily, to the point it seemed he had abandoned life. Eventually, his voice became hoarse, and his health steadily declined. His bloated abdomen from ascites made him look like a pregnant woman. Yet, he continued to wear sweaters even in mid-summer to hide it, a terminal symptom of liver cirrhosis. Despite this, Kim Hyun-sik never let go of his guitar, even drinking to numb the pain before going on stage.
Amidst increasing concern, Kim Hyun-sik announced he would halt activities at the peak of his popularity. But he couldn’t accept this, suggesting to the agency head to record a 6th album, which he immediately began despite his failing health. He sang with all his might, driven by the demanding schedule, eventually collapsing and being hospitalized after coughing up blood. Even then, he insisted he was fine and continued recording and appearing on shows, traveling to and from the hospital.
Ultimately, while pursuing his passion for music, Kim Hyun-sik passed away 3 years to the day after his beloved junior Yoo Jae-ha, on November 1, 1990.