Im Jae-bum Announces Retirement After 40th Anniversary Tour

Singer Im Jae-bum (62) has officially announced his retirement from the music industry on the occasion of his 40th anniversary debut. He has decided to leave the stage after the ongoing nationwide tour concert.

According to his agency, Blue Seed Entertainment, Im Jae-bum expressed his intention to end his singing activities after the 40th anniversary nationwide tour concert 'I Am Im Jae-bum'.

Im Jae-bum appeared on JTBC's 'Newsroom' that afternoon and officially announced his retirement, saying, "I have thought a lot over a long time, and I plan to leave the stage after this 40th anniversary performance."

He shared the deep contemplation process that led him to make the decision to retire.

Im Jae-bum stated, "This has been a problem I have been contemplating for a long time. I thought it would be a way to repay my fans to come down from the stage when I can still sing and give everything. As the saying goes, 'It's best to leave when the applause is still ringing,' I judged that now is the best time to leave and decided to put down the microphone."

Debuting in 1986 with the band Sinawe's first album, Im Jae-bum has established himself as a representative vocalist of the Korean music scene. With his rough yet emotional voice, he has left countless hit songs such as 'For You', 'Emergency', 'Confession', and 'Deeper Than Love'.

Looking back on his 40-year musical journey, he expressed his emotional feelings and also shared his concerns for his fans.

He said, "So many emotions are passing by that it feels like the 40 years have flown by in an instant." He added, "I am also worried that my fans might be too surprised. Even if I leave, I hope you will support all the other musicians out there."

Im Jae-bum emphasized that his connection with fans will not completely end after retirement.

"Even if I leave after the 40th anniversary performance, I will still be breathing in this world with you. Please do not be too surprised or sad. If there is a coming, there is also a going. I hope you will stay with me and support me until this performance is over," he urged.

Im Jae-bum's 40th anniversary nationwide tour started in Daegu on November 29 last year and is being held in various locations across the country, including Incheon and Busan. The Seoul performance is scheduled to take place at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park on the 17th and 18th.

He mentioned that he would like to sing the new song 'Greeting', which was released last September, as his final performance song. "It was a song for my fans, but I hope the audience will sing it for me as I leave," he said.

Additionally, he expressed his wish, saying, "I want to be remembered as someone who sang well in the Korean music scene. I hope the story of 'a friend who was good at singing' remains."

Im Jae-bum stated in a separate statement, "I have thought about this for a long time. I have looked back countless times and fought with myself countless times. I believe that leaving at the best time, in the most beautiful days, is my last pride and a way of gratitude."

He also expressed his determination for the remaining 40th anniversary stage. Im Jae-bum said, "I will give you everything I have, all my remaining strength and heart. I want to finish this journey in my own way, quietly but sincerely, until the end."

Im Jae-bum is currently appearing as a judge on the JTBC music competition program 〈Sing Again 4〉. He announced plans for the release of his 8th regular album after releasing the new song 'Greeting' last September.

At a press conference commemorating the release of his new song last year, Im Jae-bum had already revealed fragments of his contemplation about retirement. He said, "Even if others say it's okay, I always have regrets after recording. I spend a lot of time looking back, wondering if the breathing matched, if the lyrics were delivered properly. I don't know if I can continue until the 50th or 60th anniversary."

Im Jae-bum's retirement announcement, which has left a significant mark in the Korean music scene for 40 years, is leaving a lasting impression on fans and the music industry. All eyes are on the song and message he will deliver on his final stage.