Top singer Kim Gun-mo to return to stage after 6-year hiatus

A poster promoting singer Kim Gun-mo’s upcoming tour / Courtesy of IStar Media

Kim Gun-mo, one of the most iconic and successful singers to emerge from the 1990s K-pop scene, is set to make a comeback with a nationwide concert tour after a six-year hiatus.

The 57-year-old singer’s upcoming concert tour will begin with a show in Busan on Sept. 27, followed by performances in Daegu on Oct. 18 and Daejeon on Dec. 20. The tour is expected to expand to Seoul and other major cities next January, according to concert production company IStar Media, Tuesday.

The singer abruptly halted his career in 2019 after sexual assault allegations were made against him. At the time, he was enjoying a career resurgence on the popular TV show "My Little Old Boy." Kim was acquitted of the charges in 2021 after a police investigation, but he has remained out of the public eye ever since.

“Kim Gun-mo never let go of his music for a single moment, even though he had been away from the stage,” the concert production company said. "His music never stopped during the hiatus."

Fans are eager to see if Kim will address the past six years during his concerts, as he has not given a single interview since his hiatus began. Tickets for the tour will be available later.

Kim rose to national stardom in the 1990s, becoming one of the most successful and beloved artists in Korean music history. His unique voice, combining high-toned clarity with a mellow and powerful delivery, garnered attention.

Kim began his musical journey by studying traditional Korean music at Seoul Institute of the Arts. After serving in the Navy's PR unit, he entered the music scene in 1991 as a keyboardist for a rock band. The following year, he officially debuted as a solo artist with his first studio album, which included his first hit single, "Sleepless Rainy Night."

His second album, released in 1993, was also a landmark moment in his career. The album, which included the title track "Excuses,” sold over 2 million copies and introduced reggae music to the Korean public. The song won multiple awards, and the album's success cemented Kim's status as a top artist.

Kim continued his streak with his third album, featuring the hit song "Wrongful Meeting." The album went on to hold the Guinness World Record for the highest-selling album in Korean pop music history until 2019.

In 1994, Kim became the only artist to win the grand prize at all three major broadcast stations' music awards (KBS, MBC and SBS), as well as the Seoul Music Awards and Golden Disc Awards.

His music was frequently covered by junior artists and new media channels during his time away.