Young and old fans struggling to let go of Kim Min-ki
Kim Min-ki talks with theatergoers at a performance. In his lifetime, he identified himself as the person behind the singers and actors on stage. Courtesy of Choi Kyu-sung
A heartfelt letter was placed in front of ARKO Kkumbat Theater, formerly Hakchon, in Daehangno, Seoul, on the afternoon of Friday.
The letter began with "To Kim Min-ki Seonsaengnim" (an honorific address to Kim) and a touching message, "I will think of your life whenever my faith wavers."
The writer, identifying himself as a "typical person in his 20s," expressed deep admiration for the late Kim who died on July 21 at the age of 73.
This young person first learned about Kim through an SBS documentary, "Hakchon and Dwitgeot (behind-the-scenes man) Kim Min-ki," which aired two months ago.
The documentary highlighted Kim's journey, from composing the song "Sangnoksu" (1979) for fellow factory workers to teaching children and young laborers in a night school in a slum.
The young fan wrote that Kim's life journey inspired him to look more closely at the struggles of those around him.
In the letter, he wrote, "Mr. Kim Min-ki used all his abilities for hungry, ambitious young people, factory workers and children who were almost abandoned in a harsh reality. Although I don't have a brilliant mind or great composing skills like Mr. Kim, I will live with the same compassion for the weak."
Kim personally tended the flower bed in front of the old Hakchon Theater, where he produced works and discovered new singers and actors for 33 years. The garden contained numerous tribute letters, with messages such as, "During difficult and despairing times, I could survive by listening to your songs."
A basket of yellow chrysanthemums held a note that read, "A symbol of a beautiful life, it breaks my heart that you left so soon," clipped with a pink clothespin.
A memorial letter for Kim Min-ki is placed in the flower bed at ARKO Kkumbat Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Korea Times photo by Yang Seung-jun
Remembered across generations
Kim died on July 21, but people have not forgotten him. Many fans in their 40s and 50s commemorated him by listening to his music on streaming platforms.
According to data from Melon, Korea's largest music platform, from July 22, when his death was announced, to Wednesday, streaming of "Achim Isul" increased 27 times compared to the previous week, with 71 percent of listeners being in the aforementioned age group. "Sangnoksu" and "Beautiful Person" also saw a 17-fold increase in streams.
Radio stations received numerous requests for Kim's songs in the past week.
From July 22 to Sunday, the most played songs across KBS, MBC and SBS music radio stations were those sung by Kim, with "Achim Isul" and "Friend" being the top selections.
An old Hakchon performance photo is displayed on the wall of the flower bed at ARKO Kkumbat Theater in Daehangno, Seoul. Korea Times photo by Yang Seung-jun
After Kim's death, SBS re-aired "Hakchon and Dwitgeot Kim Min-ki" on Wednesday. An industry insider revealed that during the documentary's planning, a film production company proposed making a documentary film about Kim, but he declined, wary of the commercial use of his story.
While Iksan, North Jeolla Province, Kim's hometown, considered creating a memorial park, his family declined, saying that they did not want memorial projects or performances using his name, honoring Kim's wish to be remembered as an ordinary actor.
At ARKO Kkumbat Theater, where Kim fostered children's performances, families gathered on Friday to watch shows as part of the "ASSITEJ Korea International Summer Festival."
Kim Soo-min, 41, who watched the musical "Line 1" at Hakchon as a student, said, "Hearing about his passing brought back memories, so I came to see a children's performance with my child."
The funeral hall for the late Kim Min-ki at Seoul National University Hospital. Courtesy of Hakchon Theater
A father and teacher to his juniors
Speaking to the Hankook Ilbo on July 22 about Kim, singer Park Haki, the director of Hakchon Theater, said, "(He is) the pinnacle in the history of Korean popular music and a father and teacher to his juniors."
Grieving cultural and artistic figures reflected on how Kim had influenced their lives and art.
Park described Kim as "Korea's Bob Dylan" as he fought for social justice not with words but through songs like "Sangnoksu" and "A Small Pond."
Former SM Entertainment executive producer Lee Soo-man also expressed his condolences, saying, "I deeply respect and pray for the repose of Kim 'seonbae' (honorific term for one's senior), who instilled the spirit of youth in Korea through music during a turbulent era marked by adversity and growth."
The actor training system established by Kim at Hakchon was as systematic as the K-pop idol trainee system. This is why many actors, including actor Hwang Jung-min, say they learned everything they needed to know as an actor at Hakchon.
In his final phone call with a close acquaintance, Kim maintained his dedicated attitude as the "man behind the scenes."
Park Haki shared, "When we last spoke two weeks ago, despite struggling with chemotherapy, he asked that the (singer) Kim Kwang-seok's memorial concert be successfully organized with the Kim Kwang-seok Memorial Foundation."
A photo of Kim Min-ki during a talk at Hakchon Theater / Courtesy of Hakchon Theater
On Monday, Kim’s family released a statement through Hakchon following the funeral. The family said, “Throughout the three-day funeral, we continually thought, ‘Our father lived a truly good life,’ bringing both tears and laughter. We believe he passed away with a sense of pride.”
The family added, “In accordance with his wish that his work remains as a mere record of the times, we do not want any memorial performances or projects using his name. The family fully understands and honors his wishes, ensuring they are not distorted.”
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.