Woody shares photo with Kim Gun-mo, fans note singer’s frail appearance

Singer-songwriter Woody has expressed admiration for veteran singer Kim Gun-mo, drawing fresh public attention to the latter’s recent comeback and noticeably thinner appearance.

Woody posted a photo on social media with the caption, “My hero, my idol,” alongside a picture of himself sitting next to Kim. In the image, the two smile gently at the camera, though Kim’s visibly slimmer figure has sparked curiosity and concern among fans.

Woody and Kim previously belonged to the same agency, and in May last year, Woody released a remake of Kim’s song “Sadder Than Yesterday,” offering a modern tribute to the original.

Kim, once one of Korea’s most beloved pop singers, was accused in 2019 of sexually assaulting a female hostess at a bar in Seoul’s Gangnam District. He was cleared of all charges in 2022. Since then, he has remained largely away from the spotlight.

In September last year, Kim launched a nationwide concert tour starting in Busan, marking his first public concert in six years. His return has prompted a wave of encouragement from fans and fellow musicians.

Jazz pianist Yang Tae-kyung also shared a message of support on social media, writing, “I’ve always respected and cheered for you. You look so cool when you smile. I hope you stay healthy, enjoy your music even more, and find more success than ever.”

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.