Korea's Nat King Cole dies

By Kang Hyun-kyung

Singer Choi Hee-jun, who has been called Korea's Nat King Cole for his clear and relaxed voice and unforgettable, timeless songs, has died of natural causes. He was 82.

The way the veteran singer bade an eternal farewell to his fans has a parallel to his famous song lyrics ― he's gone “just like clouds roaming slowly in the sky.”

His youngest son, Yong-beom, said his father lost consciousness on Friday morning and passed away peacefully hours later. “There was no special message from my father,” the younger Choi said.

The older Choi debuted as a singer in 1960 with the song “My Lover is Old Miss.” Old Miss refers to a woman older than the average marriage age but still single.

Choi later said he didn't intend to become a singer and he released his first album for fun. His song became an instant hit, making him famous.

Choi drew media attention partly because of his academic background. He was a graduate of Seoul National University College of Law.

Back in the 1960s, singers with bachelors' degrees were rare. The elite college he attended helped him build the image of an educated singer and for this reason he drew extra attention from the public.

His successful first album, however, pitted him against his conservative father.

His father was a typical Korean man of his day and he wanted his son to pursue a successful legal career after passing the state bar exam. Understandably, his son's album drew the ire of the older Choi.

Back in the 1960s, singers and those in the entertainment industry were called “ttanttara,” a deregulatory term referring to people involved in low culture, as the public showed little respect for people in show business.

The rookie singer was encouraged by his father to quit his singing career and went for his mandatory military service.

But the stubborn father couldn't stop his talented son from singing in the military. After finishing his military service, the younger Choi returned to stages.

His 1965 song “Homestay Student” was a big hit. Its lyrics read, “Life is an endless journey. We are like nomads following the road stretched before us, just like clouds gradually move in the sky. Do not let your emotions or regrets hold you back. Just walk the road as if nomads follow the road before them.” It became one of the top songs of his generation.

He was a swing jazz musician and sometimes sang pop ballad songs. His clear, relaxed voice appealed to the hearts and minds of the new generation of music lovers and some called him Korea's “Nat King Cole” for the similarities in their voices and the way they sang.

Choi's arrival in show business was a fresh shock, partly because some of his song lyrics included English, such as “What Shall I Do” as seen in his debut song “My Lover is Old Miss.”

What made him special in the 1960s was his music genre. At that time, trot ― a localized version of the Japanese music genre enka ― dominated Korean pop culture.

Because of his uncommon vocal style, he stood out and was popular among music fans.

He won the Singer of The Year Award hosted by MBC in its inaugural year in 1966.

Along with Lee Mi-ja, Shin Joong-hyun and Patti Kim, Choi was one of the most popular singers in the 1960s and 70s.

After a successful singing career, he left show business in 1974 to start his own business. Little is known about how he led his life afterwards.

He appeared in the public eye again in 1995 when he became one of the founding members of the opposition political party, National Congress for New Politics (NCNP) launched by the late politician Kim Dae-jung. The following year, he successfully ran for the National Assembly on the NCNP's ticket.

He is the first singer-turned-politician. During his four-year term, he worked with the National Assembly Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee and drafted several bills to help entertainers lead a stable life.

His death has saddened the nation.

Politicians, fellow singers and people from all walks of life paid tribute to the late singer at his funeral at St. Mary's Hospital in southern Seoul on Sunday.

Singer Nam Jin said Choi made serious efforts to raise the profile of singers while he was alive.

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon wrote on Facebook that Choi was a warm person.

“We were alumni and I met him when he was serving as a lawmaker. I was a journalist back then. I remember he was a warm person,” he wrote . “Your songs consoled me a lot because my situation was similar to what was described in some of your songs, including Homestay Student. Hope you rest in peace.”

Choi is survived by his second wife, two adult sons and a daughter.