Farewell to the Eternal Diva: Late Hyun-mi's Wake Held, Colleagues Pay Their Last Respects
On April 7 (Local Time), a wake will be held for the late "eternal diva" Hyun-mi (real name Kim Myung-sun), who passed away on April 4th. The wake will be held at the Central University Hospital Funeral Hall Special Room 1 in Heukseok-dong, Dongjak-gu, Seoul. The funeral was delayed due to her two sons residing in the United States. They are reported to have returned to Korea on the 6th and 7th.
The funeral will be held over five days, from April 7th to 11th, under the supervision of the Korean Singers Association. The funeral chairman is Seo Soo-nam, the auditor of the Korean Singers Association, and the funeral committee will be led by the association's executive directors. The funeral procession will take place at 10 a.m. on April 11.
Starting at 10 a.m. on April 7, the family will receive mourners. Hyun-mi's niece, singer No Sa-yeon, and actor Han Sang-jin are also expected to attend the wake. Han, who was in the U.S. for business, rushed back to Korea to bid farewell to his aunt. No Sa-yeon was deeply saddened upon hearing the news during a variety show filming on April h.
Entertainment industry colleagues and juniors who had a connection with Hyun-mi are also expected to pay their respects. Previously, Tae Jin-ah, Kim Heung-gook, Lee Ja-yeon, Im Hee-sook, Han Ji-il, Kim Wan-sun, and Kim Soo-chan expressed their condolences for the late singer.
Korean Singers Association President Lee Ja-yeon stated, "Hyun-mi was a great star in the music world. I believe she is still shining in the night sky, watching over our juniors," and added, "We decided to hold the funeral as a small token of gratitude for the immortal works she left behind after a fierce life. We will safely complete the funeral proceedings with the condolences and remembrance of the people, together with junior singers."
According to the police, Hyun-mi was found collapsed at her home in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at 9:37 a.m. on April 4th. She was taken to a nearby hospital after being discovered by fan club president Kim, but sadly passed away. She was 85 years old. The exact cause of death has not been determined, and there were no signs of foul play or extreme choices. The police plan to investigate the cause by interviewing Kim and the family and reviewing medical records.
Born in 1938 in Gangdong County, South Pyongan Province, Hyun-mi was a first-generation repatriated singer. She left for South Vietnam during the Korean War's 1·4 retreat in 1951. She began her singing career in 1957 on a stage for the US 8th Army. Hyun-mi, known for her powerful contralto and unique jazz-style vocals, gained widespread popularity with her 1962 song "Night Fog." She also had hit songs such as "The Face I Want to See" and "Leave Without a Word."
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