[Photo &] "Singing Every Day Like an Office Worker"…30th Anniversary of Kim Kwang-seok, Park Hak-ki's Sincere Message

"There are times when I get tired of singing while doing music, and there are times when I feel exhausted, and there are times when I catch a cold and can't sing. But does an office worker not go to work just because they are not feeling well? I love singing every day the most."

The 'eternal singer' Kim Kwang-seok (1964∼1996) reportedly expressed this belief about the stage to his close friend, singer-songwriter Park Hak-ki. It has been 30 years since singer Kim Kwang-seok passed away.

Colleagues Remember 'Young Kim Kwang-seok'

On the evening of the 6th, exactly 30 years after Kim Kwang-seok passed away, a competition titled 'Meeting Kwang-seok Again' was held at the Arko Dream Field Theater, which was renovated from the old Hakjeon. At this event, Park Hak-ki reminisced about his memories with the deceased.

Park Hak-ki said, "I remember that far away at the crosswalk in front of the current KFC in Daehakro, Kwang-seok came with his daughter on his back. At that time, even though Kim Kwang-seok was a complete star in Daehakro, he calmly came with his baby and shared a meal and tea with me," he reflected.

Composer Kim Hyung-seok also conveyed his special feelings for the deceased. He said, "The first song I gave to a singer after I was born was to Kwang-seok. It was the title track 'To You' from his first album," and he commemorated, "I believe he has achieved eternal life by being in the memories of his loved ones."

The Power of Music That Overcame 30 Years

The competition held that day featured fellow musicians Kwon Jin-won, Jung Won-young, Kim Hyung-seok as judges. Participants reinterpreted classic songs like 'A Story of a 60-Year-Old Couple', 'Return', 'Don't Think Too Deeply', and 'Get Up' in their own style. Notably, 4 out of 7 teams chose 'With the Heart That I Must Forget', demonstrating its enduring popularity, and rookie Yoon So-ra won the Kim Kwang-seok Award.

Meanwhile, the Kim Kwang-seok Memorial Association is preparing for a new leap as it transitions to a foundation this year. Park Ki-young from the Zoo emphasized the power of music that transcends 30 years, stating, "Whether in 1996 or 2026, the presence of Kim Kwang-seok's songs remains strong."

The late Kim Min-ki (1951∼2024), who led the memorial association, once said, "This money is small, but it is money that cannot be compared to any other money in the world," and added, "This money will become a seed that will one day be used for a good cause to remember Kwang-seok for a long time." In fact, the association's funds have grown to about 400 million won at this 30th anniversary, providing a solid foundation to carry on the deceased's wishes.