A portrait of Kim Min-ki, who operated the symbolic small Hakchon Theater in Daehangno for over 30 years, nurturing future artists, is placed at the ARKO Kkumbat Theater in Jongno District, Seoul, where the former Hakchon Theater was located, during his funeral ceremony, Wednesday. Yonhap By KTimes On the morning of July 24, at the ARKO Kkumbat Theater in Daehangno, Jongno District, Seoul, the portrait of the late singer and playwright Kim Min-ki, who passed away on July 21 at the age of 73, was briefly present. As it left, people spontaneously began singing "Achim Isul (morning dew)," a song written and composed by Kim that became a symbolic anthem for pro-democracy protesters against authoritarian regimes in the 1970s and 1980s.
The sound of sobbing could be heard from various corners, and someone shouted, "We love you, teacher!" Actors Jang Hyun-sung and Sul Kyung-gu, who had performed in the musical "Line 1," directed by the deceased, continuously wiped away their tears. Kim was laid to rest amid the farewells of his family, friends, and citizens. The funeral ceremony was held at Seoul National University Hospital on the same day.
There was no separate memorial service. After the funeral ceremony, before heading to his final resting place at Cheonan Park Cemetery in South Chungcheong Province, the late Kim's portrait was brought to the front yard of Hakchon Theater, which he founded in 1991 and nurtured for 33 years. Actors Jang Hyun-sung, Sul Kyung-gu and other artists mourn Wednesday during a funeral ceremony for Kim Min-ki who nurtured future artists while operating the symbolic theater Hakchon.
Yonhap This area, where he planted trees and flowers to commemorate Hakchon’s 30th anniversary in 2021, now thrives with greenery. The courtyard wall features a memorial stone for singer Kim Kwang-seok and busts of playwright Volker Ludwig and composer Birger Heymann, the original creators of the musical "Line 1." Singer Park Haki, actors Choi Duk-moon, Bae Seong-woo, director Bang Eun-jin, and honorary professor Yoo Hong-jun of Myongji University were among those who gathered around the theater to bid farewell to Kim.
Choung Byoung-gug, chairman of the Arts and Council Korea, who succeeded Kim in running the ARKO Kkumbat Theater, and Kim’s fans were also present from early on. Actor Hwang Jung-min arrived later to pay his respects. Upon arriving at the theatre, the bereaved family placed Kim's portrait in a small flowerbed next to the yard and observed a moment of silence.
The flowerbed was adorned with flowers, makgeolli, beer, and soju left by citizens in honor of Kim. After the hearse left the narrow street in front of the theater, Lee In-kwon, a member of the "Line 1" performance band, played the late Kim's song, "Beautiful Person," on the saxophone, turning the sobs into wails. A portrait of Kim Min-ki departs from the ARKO Kkumbat Theater in Jongno District, Seoul, where the former Hakchon Theater was located, during his funeral ceremony.
Yonhap Lee said, "The teacher was like a father to me, and since I have nothing else to give, I prepared this for his final journey." Actor Jang Hyun-sung said, "Since a decision was made to hold a private family funeral, let us say our goodbyes to the teacher here." But the mourners were reluctant to leave.
Kim, diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer last year, passed away after a long battle with the disease. Born in 1951, Kim debuted in 1971 with his first album featuring the song "Achim Isul." However, this song, contrary to his original intention, became an anthem for the democracy movement, drawing the ire of then authoritarian regime.
When he was barred from releasing music under his own name, he continued his creative endeavors by writing songs and creating musical dramas supporting laborers. After opening Hakchon Theater in 1991, he directed numerous musicals, children's plays, and concerts, including "Line 1," helping many singers and actors grow. He always referred to them as "the front" and considered himself "the back.
" Due to financial difficulties and Kim's deteriorating health, Hakchon closed in March after 33 years of operation, but reopened on July 17 as the ARKO Kkumbat Theater, focusing on performances for children and teenagers. Saxophonist Lee In-kwon performs Kim Min-ki's song "Beautiful Person" during the funeral ceremony at the ARKO Kkumbat Theater in Jongno District, Seoul, Wednesday. Yonhap This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI and edited by staff of The Korea Times.
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