Tribute concert marks 10 years since celebrated singer Shin Hae-chul's passing

Hosts of "Mawang 10th: Ghost Stage," a concert held to pay tribute to the late singer Shin Hae-chul, perform onstage at Inspire Arena on Incheon's Yeongjong Island, Saturday. Courtesy of Dreamus Company

Late singer Shin Hae-chul / Courtesy of KCA Entertainment

To commemorate the late singer, a tribute concert was held last weekend for Shin Hae-chul, a pioneering figure in Korea's rock music scene, marking 10 years since his untimely death following a medical accident.

The two-day tribute concert, titled "Mawang 10th: Ghost Stage," was held at Inspire Arena on Incheon's Yeongjong Island, drawing large crowds to commemorate the artist who passed away a decade ago.

Shin, who debuted in 1988, was instrumental in shaping Korea's experimental rock music scene. His extensive career as a solo artist and a member of the rock band N.EX.T produced a diverse body of work, blending genres like heavy metal, jazz, rap and even Korean folk.

Beyond music, he was also a popular late-night radio host and a vocal sociopolitical commentator, earning him the nickname "Mawang," or Devil Lord in Korean, for his sharp-tongued critiques.

However, Shin's career was cut short on Oct. 27, 2014, after complications from surgery for intestinal stenosis. He died of cardiac arrest at age 46, after reporting acute chest and abdominal pain following the surgery. Later convicted of medical malpractice, Shin's surgeon was sentenced to one year in prison following a prolonged legal battle with the star's bereaved family.

Audience members of the "Mawang 10th: Ghost Stage" concert cheer during the show held to commemorate late singer Shin Hae-chul at the Inspire Arena, Yeongjong Island, Incheon, Saturday. Courtesy of Dreamus Company

The "Mawang 10th: Ghost Stage" concert served as a celebration of Shin's life and work, where fellow musicians performed music in a range of genres in his honor. In line with Shin's philosophy of celebrating life through music, the hosts turned the event into a joyful festival, rather than a solemn affair.

The concert featured a lineup of performances spanning two days, including Shin's former band, N.EX.T, which opened both shows with new vocalists Ko You-jin, Hong Kyung-min and Kim Dong-wan. Together, they performed some of Shin's most iconic songs, including "The Dreamer" and "Hope," delivering stirring live renditions.

Members of K-pop bands also paid tribute to the late rocker, with Super Junior's Yesung covering "Invitation to Daily Life," while Solar from MAMAMOO delivered a heartfelt rendition of "You're Deep Inside My Heart."

Alternative rock band Nell and singer Kim Bum-soo energized the crowd with their hit songs, before performing Shin’s "Fly, Chick" and "Don't Be Sad," respectively, putting their unique emotional spin on the tracks.

Psy, the global sensation behind "Gangnam Style," headlined Saturday's show, turning the night into a celebration with performances of his own hits "Champion," "Entertainer" and "It's Art." He then dedicated a medley of Shin's songs, including "From the Sun to a Boy," "Letter to Myself" and "To You," to close out the set.

The Sunday performance, which marked the exact 10th anniversary of Shin's passing, featured JYP Entertainment's rookie rock band Xdinary Heroes and solo act Epitone Project, both bringing fresh takes on Shin's music for a younger audience.

Guckkasten, fronted by power vocalist Ha Hyun-woo, also delivered a powerful rendition of "Lazenca, Save Us," Sunday, showcasing Ha's signature ear-splitting high notes in tribute to Shin's legacy.

The finale was a fitting end, with performances by Jeon In-kwon Band and singer Lee Seung-hwan. Lee performed some of his own hits before closing with Shin's emotional ballad, "When Our Lives are Almost Over," leaving the audience with a lingering sense of nostalgia and reflection.