Kim Gwang-seok, a member of the folk groups Solgae Trio and Sorisaewoo, who was beloved for songs such as "Love Still Unfulfilled" and "You and Me," has passed away. He was 70 years old at the time of his death.
On the 3rd, popular music critic Park Seong-seo shared an obituary on his Facebook page, stating that Kim Gwang-seok's health had deteriorated rapidly following the coronavirus pandemic and that he had been battling a brain lesion disability since 2023 before passing away in the early hours of that day.
Critic Park wrote, "The music of Solgae, Solgae Trio, and Sorisaewoo, with which Kim Gwang-seok was involved, embodied a free musical direction that did not remain confined to a single genre." He added, "'Love Still Unfulfilled' and 'You and Me.' These are songs that remain by our side even as time passes. We can now meet Kim Gwang-seok only through those songs. We sincerely pray for the late one's soul."
The deceased, who was from Incheon, had been active as a duo with singer Hwang Young-ik before joining forces with the late Han Jung-sun, a winner of the "3rd TBC Young People's Song Contest" in 1980, to form the folk group Solgae the following year.
The group gained recognition when "Love Still Unfulfilled," included on their first album in 1981, resonated with audiences. Solgae did not stay within the folk genre but moved across a wide spectrum including rock, trot, reggae, rhythm and blues (R&B), and progressive music.
In 1985, the team changed its name to Solgae Trio and released songs such as "Woman." After Han Jung-sun withdrew in 1987, new member Han Young was recruited, and the team changed its name to Sorisaewoo in 1988. The song "You and Me," released at that time, became a major hit.
After Han Young's departure in 1994, the team continued with the deceased and Hwang Young-ik at its core. In the 2000s, new member Yoon Gi-hwan was recruited. In 2015, they released the album "River of Peace (A Song Sent to the North)" commemorating the 70th anniversary of Liberation. They also consistently engaged in social contribution activities such as charity concerts.
Critic Park Seong-seo noted, "The music of Solgae, Solgae Trio, and Sorisaewoo embodied a free direction not bound by a single genre," adding, "Kim Gwang-seok was at the center of it."
The wake has been set up in Room 1 of the Special Section at the Kyowon Yeum Incheon Sarang Hospital Funeral Home in Incheon. The funeral procession is scheduled for 1 p.m. on the 4th.
in ENTERTAINMENT
