On the 1st anniversary of the late Kim Min-ki, the spirit of Hakcheon is revived.
Singer Park Hak-ki recently announced on his social media, "hakchon1991. Hello, we bring you news from Hakcheon. Hakcheon is preparing to establish the 'Hakcheon Kim Min-ki Foundation' to systematically archive the works of Hakcheon and Kim Min-ki, and through this, we aim to inherit the cultural heritage and spirit of the deceased and Hakcheon."
He added, "After the passing of Director Kim Min-ki, we want to faithfully uphold the late's wish that your life and work be recorded honestly, without embellishment or exaggeration. Alongside the foundation's establishment, Hakcheon will release a reissued LP of the late's first album, [Kim Min-ki], which was released in 1971, on July 21, 2025, to commemorate Director Kim Min-ki's 1st anniversary."
Kim Min-ki, who debuted by composing 'Morning Dew', a symbol of resistance and lyricism, created songs such as 'Evergreen', 'Friend', and 'Beautiful Person.' He caressed the hearts of the people and inspired the spirit of the age, establishing himself as a master of Korean folk music.
Kim Min-ki, who was sincere about theater alongside music, opened the small theater Hakcheon in Daehak-ro, Seoul, in 1991, writing a new history in the Korean performing arts. Hakcheon was not just a theater; it was a cradle for numerous artists. Sul Kyung-gu, Kim Yoon-seok, Hwang Jung-min, Jang Hyun-sung, Jo Seung-woo, Lee Jung-eun, Ahn Nae-sang, Lee Jong-hyuk, and Kim Dae-myung are all 'Hakcheon kids' who passed through Hakcheon.
Kim Min-ki received numerous arts awards, including the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Special Award from the Korean Musical Awards, and was recognized for his contributions, receiving the Silver Medal of Culture from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2013. However, he entered a battle with stomach cancer, which made it difficult for Hakcheon to continue its operations.
In 2024, on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of Hakcheon, a project performance called 'Hakcheon AGAIN' was held with the voluntary participation of juniors to prevent closure. Everyone vowed to seek Kim Min-ki's health recovery and Hakcheon's revival. However, Hakcheon ultimately closed its doors on March 14 of last year, and Kim Min-ki also passed away at the age of 73 on July 21, 2024, about four months later.
A year has passed since Kim Min-ki concluded his life, leaving Hakcheon he loved behind, and his voice has been restored.
Park Hak-ki stated, "The reissued LP of Kim Min-ki is the first outcome that aligns with the late's wish that his work remains an honest record. Additionally, according to the late's wishes, we will not hold any memorial events or performances for the 1st anniversary. We express our gratitude to many who cherish Hakcheon and ask for your support and interest in the 'Hakcheon Kim Min-ki Foundation' going forward."
[Photo] SNS
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