EXCLUSIVE BTS' J-Hope to partake in Shin Hae-chul's 10th memorial concert
BTS member J-Hope smiles outside the main gate of the 36th Army Infantry Division after completing his mandatory military service in Wonju, Gangwon Province, Oct. 17. Yonhap
J-Hope of BTS will pay tribute to Shin Hae-chul through a video message, which will be exclusively revealed during memorial concerts for the late singer-songwriter on Saturday and Sunday.
J-Hope, who completed compulsory military service last week, personally delivered a message for the 10th anniversary of Shin’s passing, according to a source close to concert organizers.
“There were longtime talks of J-Hope featuring in the concert as one of the participating artists. But 10 days after being discharged (from military service) would not have been enough time to prepare,” the source said.
K-pop A-listers including PSY, Solar of Mamamoo and Kim Bum-soo, among others, will perform a selection of Shin’s iconic songs with their own respective interpretive spin, including “You’re Deep Inside My Heart,” “Lazenca, Save Us” and “Fly, Chick.”
BTS has previously celebrated Shin’s musical legacy. In 2020, BTS took part in a special showcase paying homage to Shin. The 2021 New Year’s Eve Live featured a hologram rendition of Shin and the posthumous world premiere of his unfinished number, “What Do You Really Want.”
“The path we have walked is engraved with countless right and wrong answers, endless questions that have kept us up at night. And here is someone who has answered those questions without holding back, through music that has warmly, and fiercely, comforted us,” BTS rapper Suga said in an introduction, ahead of performances of Shin’s songs by members of K-pop boy groups NU’EST, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and ENHYPEN, among others.
Late singer Shin Hae-chul / Korea Times file
Shin (1968-2014) is known for paving the path for experimental rock music in Korea since debuting in 1988. He was active as both a solo artist and a member of the rock band NEXT. Shin’s discography as a prolific singer-songwriter and record producer spans multiple genres, mixing elements of heavy metal and jazz with Korean folk music and rap.
He was also a popular late-night radio host throughout his career and made headlines as a sociopolitical commentator and activist. His sharp tongue earned him the nickname "Mawang," meaning Devil Lord or The Devil in Korean, which fans continue to affectionately call him to this day.
In 2014, the rock icon passed away at age 46 due to medical malpractice. His sudden death played a key role in the passage of the so-called “Shin Hae-chul Law,” an amendment to the Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Act. He is survived by his wife, Yoon Won-hee, CEO of NEXT United, and their two children, an 18-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old son.
The tribute concerts will take place at Inspire Arena on Incheon’s Yeongjong Island. In addition to the concerts, a special exhibition at the same venue will present the late artist’s stage costumes and personal belongings. Concertgoers will have access to the exhibition free of charge.
Lee Hyo-won is the Seoul correspondent for WWD. A former Korea Times staff reporter, Lee’s writing has been featured on Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter and Monocle.