Park Han-sol reports on Korea's financial regulators, along with fintech and insurance. She previously wrote about the art world, from biennales and exhibitions to fairs and auctions, with a focus on Seoul and the figures shaping the scene. Before joining The Korea Times, she spent a year at ABC News' Seoul bureau, contributing to coverage of major Asia-Pacific events.
World's oldest TV music talent show host Song Hae dies at 95
Veteran entertainer and emcee Song Hae died Wednesday at the age of 95. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Park Han-sol
By Park Han-sol
Veteran entertainer Song Hae, whose signature voice as emcee of KBS' “National Singing Contest” made him an icon of Korean television, died Wednesday. He was 95.
He passed away in the morning at his residence in Gangnam District, southern Seoul, according to police and medical officials.
Born in 1927 in South Hwanghae Province in present-day North Korea, Song, whose real name was Song Bok-hee, got separated from his family during the 1950-1953 Korean War as he fled to the South. At the age of 25, he joined the Changgong musical troupe, where he learned how to sing, act and emcee and launched his career as a versatile entertainer.
Song Hae has been hosting KBS' outdoor national singing competition, “National Singing Contest,” for 34 years since 1988. Courtesy of KBS
He worked as a comedian, actor and radio DJ throughout his career, but it was “National Singing Contest,” which he joined as a host at age 60 that marked a watershed in his life.
In fact, the 95-year-old's name has been synonymous with KBS' outdoor national singing competition, which has been hosted by Song for 34 years since 1988.
In April, he was recognized as the world's “oldest TV music talent show host” by Guinness World Records.
One memorable edition of the competition for the North Korean-born entertainer was the one held in Pyongyang on Aug. 11, 2003. “I said, 'Now we are closing the Pyongyang singing contest. Goodbye everyone. Let's meet when the (two Koreas are) unified,' and the audience cheered and applauded. I was so satisfied that I felt I had the world's best show,” he once said in a media interview.
Song Hae poses at KBS in Seoul, May 23, after receiving a certificate from Guinness World Records acknowledging him as the "oldest TV music talent show host." Courtesy of KBS
While the singing contest was scheduled to resume touring across the country this month after more than two years of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Song had previously expressed his intention to leave the show, citing his deteriorating health.
He had been hospitalized several times early this year and tested positive for COVID-19 in March.
The veteran entertainer's lifelong achievements have been commemorated in movies, shows and even in a lakeside park and a lively downtown street.
Dalseong County in Daegu established Songhae Park, named after the show host, in 2016 and unveiled Song Hae Memorial Hall last December. In 2016, a 240-meter street was named after him in the Seoul neighborhood of Nakwon-dong.
Last November, the television host's life story was shared in the documentary film, “Song Hae 1927.” And early in January, KBS aired “Thank You Everyone, Song Hae,” which recounts the veteran entertainer's life in a trot musical.
Songhae Park in Daegu / Korea Times file
Celebrities, whether they are singers, actors, emcees or comedians, have paid tribute to him, with many calling him “father.”
“He was like a father among singers … he understood junior singers' pains and hardships … he served as the pillar of us,” trot singer Song Dae-kwan told a local daily.
“Now that you're in heaven, instead of 'National Singing Contest,' please host 'Heavenly Singing Contest,'” comedian Lee Yong-sik wrote on social media.
Online message boards are also flooding with comments from members of the public representing almost all generations. “I feel like my grandpa has died,” one internet user wrote.
“You've done a great job for 30 years. Rest in peace,” another wrote.
“Whenever there appeared the most-searched keywords, 'Song Hae dies,' on the internet, I would search for them and be relieved that they were fake. I thought it would not be fake one day, and that was today,” a Twitter user wrote.
Song is survived by his two daughters. His memorial service is being held at the Seoul National University Hospital and the funeral will take place on Friday.