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By Ines Min
It rained all night.
The funeral parlor of Seoul National University Hospital rang with the sobbing cries of friends coming to pay their respects to the late fashion icon, Andre Kim. The steady stream of visitors began late Thursday following the 74-year-old’s death, the downward faces and wringed handkerchiefs spilling into Friday.
The crowd was comprised of novelists, actors and singers, many of whom had previously worked with the designer in his extravagant and fanciful shows. Around 2 a.m., a distraught Kim Hee-sun, who had often collaborated with the icon in his shows since the early days of her debut, was seen held up by her husband Park Ju-young as she paid her respects to the bereaved _ Andre’s adopted son and his family. Tears streaming from underneath her horn-rimmed glasses, the actress wore an expression of utter agony, unable to believe he was gone.
``After he was hospitalized, Kim Hee-sun went to see Andre Kim but was refused a visit,’’said the actress’manager. When she first heard the news, her first words were: ``I thought he was going to recover; I don’t believe it.’’
Other cultural figures came to give their condolences, from acting legends such as Cha In-pyo, Choi Ji-woo and Ryu Si-won, to K-pop idols like 2PM’s Nichkhun and new faces Kim Joon and others.
``I thought he would be okay because, these days, even if you’re in your 70s there are a lot of people who are healthy and take good care of themselves,’’said revered novelist Park Won-seo, who had worked alongside Kim as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. ``So when I heard the news, I was really surprised.’’
The designer, known for his frequent donations to charities, volunteer work and overall kindheartedness was recalled for both his creativity and compassion.
``He would often design the garments I wore to award shows,’’ singer Shin Seung-hun said, adding that Kim was never one to ration his compliments. ``And whenever I would sing a song, he would stay in his seat until the very end, always a man with manners.
``He was a person who not only influenced the fashion world, but also the culture and entertainment industries and I am sincerely grieved and upset.’’
President Lee Myung-bak also sent his best wishes and prayers in a message to the bereaved.
``Through his world-class fashion designs, Andre Kim spread Korean culture and art to the rest of the world,’’Lee’s message said. ``He received love and respect from many citizens for his continual donations and volunteer work. I send my deepest condolences to the bereaved family and pray that Andre Kim will rest in peace.’’
Andre Kim’s cortege will leave the hospital Sunday for a funeral ceremony. The procession will pass by the house he lived in for 30 years in Apgujeong-dong and his atelier in Sinsa-dong. His remains will be buried in the Cheonan Memorial Park in Gyeonggi Province.
After five decades in the fashion spotlight, the glamour and glitz of the fashion icon has finally faded away, as if washed into the night with the rains of summer.
``Andre Kim contributed to international understanding and charity’’ It was with profound sorrow that we learned about the sad demise of Andre Kim. He was the genuine maestro of high fashion and design. His exquisite taste and a sense of harmony left a rare imprint on everything he touched. He was an artist of world caliber whose creations brought glory to himself and Korea. Andre Kim was a very humane and good natured person. Well known are his contributions to charity and international understanding. That great Korean had a lot of friends in Korea and beyond. We are proud to be among them. Let the noble soul of Andre Kim rest in peace. Yours in grief Gleb and Irina Ivashentsov, Ambassador of Russia to the Republic of Korea from 2005-2009 |
