이미자, next month’s farewell performance… Hints at retirement

The “Queen of Elegies,” Lee Mi-ja, has effectively announced her retirement by stating that she will hold a farewell concert next month. At a press conference held ahead of her performance at the Sejong Center on the 26th of next month, Lee Mi-ja said she would not use the word “retirement,” but confirmed that this concert would be her last and she would not release any new albums in the future. However, she added that she would continue to do what she can to carry on the tradition of Korean popular music and expressed her sincere gratitude to the fans who have supported her. Lee Mi-ja debuted with “Nineteen’s Pure Love” in 1959 and was an iconic figure in Korean pop music in the 1960s and 1970s. Over a career spanning more than 60 years, she has left behind over 2,500 songs, including numerous hits such as “Dongbaek Flower Girl,” “Island Village Teacher,” “Journey,” and “A Woman’s Life.” In recognition of her contributions, Lee Mi-ja was awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2023, the first time a pop musician received the honor.