Pathetic Facts

South Korean musicians died when they were 58

Here are 6 famous musicians from South Korea died at 58:

Ahn Eak-tai

Ahn Eak-tai (December 5, 1906 Pyongyang-September 16, 1965 Majorca) otherwise known as 安益泰, 안익태, Eaktay Ahn, An Ik-tae, An Ik-t'ae or Eak-tae, Ahn was a South Korean singer.

He is considered to be one of the pioneers of modern Korean music and is known for his unique style that blends traditional Korean music with Western-style popular music. Ahn Eak-tai began his music career as a composer and quickly gained popularity as a singer in the 1930s and 1940s. He is credited with composing over 3,000 songs and is best known for his iconic ballad "Arirang," which has become a symbol of Korean culture. Ahn Eak-tai also played a significant role in promoting Korean music abroad and was recognized by the South Korean government as a National Treasure in 1962. Despite facing many personal and professional challenges throughout his life, Ahn Eak-tai remains an important figure in Korean music history and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians.

Read more about Ahn Eak-tai on Wikipedia »

Lee Beom-seok

Lee Beom-seok (September 14, 1925 South Korea-October 9, 1983 Yangon) also known as Lee Bum Suk was a South Korean personality.

Lee Beom-seok was a South Korean politician and anti-communist activist. He was a key figure in South Korea's ruling Democratic Republican Party and served as a member of the National Assembly for several terms. Lee was known for his unwavering opposition to communism and for his vocal criticism of North Korea.

In addition to his political activities, Lee was also a successful businessman and philanthropist. He founded the Lotte Group, a conglomerate that includes companies involved in food, retail, and tourism. Lee's business success enabled him to fund a number of charitable initiatives, including the establishment of the Lotte Scholarship Foundation, which provides scholarships to students in South Korea.

Despite his achievements, Lee's life was cut short when he was assassinated in 1983 by North Korean agents while visiting Myanmar. His death was a shock to the South Korean public and the international community, highlighting the ongoing tensions between North and South Korea. Today, Lee is remembered as a symbol of the fight against communism and a champion of democratic values.

He died caused by assassination.

Read more about Lee Beom-seok on Wikipedia »

Yi Kwang-su

Yi Kwang-su (March 4, 1892 South Korea-October 25, 1950) was a South Korean novelist.

He is considered one of the pioneers of modern Korean literature, and his works often dealt with themes of social and political change in Korea during the early 20th century. Yi studied in Japan and was heavily influenced by Western literature, which he incorporated into his writing. One of his most famous works is "The Heartless," a novel that explores the changing roles of women in Korean society. In addition to writing, Yi was also involved in Korean independence movements and was a prolific activist, advocating for social and political reform in Korea. However, his political activities eventually led to his arrest and imprisonment by the Japanese colonial government, and he spent several years in confinement before being released in 1945. Despite these challenges, Yi's impact on Korean literature and culture is still felt today.

Read more about Yi Kwang-su on Wikipedia »

Kim Ji-sung

Kim Ji-sung (November 7, 1924 Korea under Japanese rule-November 12, 1982 Seoul) was a South Korean personality.

Kim Ji-sung was a prominent figure in the world of Korean literature, known for his poetry and creative prose. He was born during the period of Korea under Japanese rule and spent his early years in Japanese occupied Korea. In 1948, he graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in English literature and began his career as a writer. Kim Ji-sung authored numerous books throughout his lifetime, including poetry collections, novels, and essays. He was a recipient of several literary awards, including the prestigious Korea Literature Award. In addition to his literary work, Kim Ji-sung was also a professor of English literature at Seoul National University, where he inspired and mentored many young writers. After his death in 1982, Kim Ji-sung's contributions to Korean literature were recognized with the posthumous award of the Order of Cultural Merit.

Read more about Kim Ji-sung on Wikipedia »

Kim Chong-hee

Kim Chong-hee (November 12, 1922 South Korea-April 5, 1981) was a South Korean businessperson. He had one child, Kim Seung-Youn.

Kim Chong-hee was best known for founding the popular South Korean conglomerate, Hanjin Group, in 1945. Under his leadership, Hanjin Group expanded into various industries, including transportation, logistics, and shipping, with companies such as Korean Air and Hanjin Shipping.

Aside from his business ventures, Kim Chong-hee was also a respected figure in South Korean society for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Hanjin Cultural Foundation in 1979 to promote Korean culture and the arts, and he contributed to various educational institutions and organizations.

Unfortunately, Kim Chong-hee's life was cut short when he was assassinated by a North Korean agent in 1981. Despite his untimely death, his legacy lives on through the continued success of Hanjin Group and his family's philanthropic endeavors.

Read more about Kim Chong-hee on Wikipedia »

Ok Jeon

Ok Jeon (April 2, 1911 Hamhung-October 22, 1969 Seoul) a.k.a. Deok-rye Jeon, Queen of Tears or Jeon Ok was a South Korean actor and singer. She had two children, Kang Hyo-shil and Kang Hyo-sun.

Jeon Ok started her career in the 1930s as a singer and actress in Japan under the name Tanaka Harue. She later returned to Korea and continued her successful career, starring in several films throughout the 1940s and 1950s.

One of her most memorable roles was in the film Madame Freedom (1956), which was controversial at the time for its portrayal of a woman who flouts traditional gender roles. Jeon Ok's emotional performance earned her the nickname "Queen of Tears".

Aside from her film career, Jeon Ok was also a successful singer, known for popularizing the song "Arirang", which is considered the unofficial national anthem of Korea.

Jeon Ok's life and career were cut short by her sudden death in 1969, but she remains a beloved figure in Korean entertainment history.