The national singer Kim Gun-mo, who once dominated an era. Before long, his name has faded away not only from official occasions but also from broadcasts. While he is regarded as having effectively left the entertainment industry, he is recently reemerging in the public's memory in an unexpected way.
The trigger was Jeong Joon-ha's YouTube channel. 'Kim Gun-mo's bicycle,' mentioned casually during a broadcast, quickly heated up online communities. As Kim Gun-mo's image of enjoying a leisurely life with various hobbies like biking, cycling, and classic cars is brought up again, his music and overall life are beginning to be reexamined. Moreover, the fact that the bike's price is rumored to be 17 million won has sparked even more interest.
Kim Gun-mo is a hitmaker representing the 1990s, leaving behind timeless masterpieces such as 'Excuse,' 'Wrong Meeting,' and 'Speed.' His songs still hold a place in the playlists of countless music fans, proving his enduring popularity as he consistently ranks high on streaming charts.
However, after being embroiled in various controversies since 2019, he has not appeared on broadcasts or official occasions. This is due to an unexpected sexual scandal that arose in 2019. An employee at an entertainment establishment alleged that Kim Gun-mo sexually assaulted her in 2016 and filed a lawsuit, leading to Kim Gun-mo stopping his activities after he left the SBS entertainment program My Little Old Boy in November of that year.
Two years later, prosecutors decided not to indict him, and the appeal from the individual was dismissed in June 2022. She filed another request for reconsideration but was also dismissed, thereby clearing Kim Gun-mo of the accusations. During this time, Kim Gun-mo also faced a divorce after 2 years and 8 months of marriage with his wife, pianist Jang Ji-yeon, who is 13 years his junior.
Afterward, Kim Gun-mo quietly faded away without leaving any further explanations or stories about the incident. Thus, Jeong Joon-ha's remark resonated with fans' hearts more deeply than any interview. Many fans still want to listen to his music.
Among internet users, voices calling for his return are emerging, saying, 'Time has passed; I want to see him on stage now,' and 'I miss Kim Gun-mo's songs.' On the other hand, some reactions are cautious, stating, 'It seems he still has no intention to return,' and 'Seeing him remain silent even after sorting everything out feels like a decision he has made himself.' There is still a cautious atmosphere as he has completely disappeared since the controversy, leading to interpretations that it seems he does not wish to return to the entertainment industry.
Although Kim Gun-mo remains silent, his music still lives on in the memories of many. Will he return to the stage once again? Like his numerous masterpieces, the public's interest in whether he will make a comeback is also focused.
[Photo video capture
[OSEN]