Singer Lee Soo-mi (real name Lee Hwa-ja) has marked the 4th anniversary of her passing.
Lee Soo-mi passed away on Sept. 2, 2021, at the age of 69.
According to the Korea Singers Association at the time, the late singer died while battling lung cancer at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seoul. Her untimely death has brought shock, famously known for her hit song 'High School Days.'
Lee Soo-mi was born in 1952 in Yeongam, South Jeolla Province, and made her debut in 1969 under her real name Lee Hwa-ja. He released his debut song 'Even Though You Went,' followed by 'Late Regrets' and 'The Bird Crying at Night.'
In particular, in 1972, she received great love with the hit song 'High School Days.' She swept the MBC and TBC Top 10 Singer Awards in the same year with 'High School Days,' and continued to be beloved with songs like 'The Bell Bird' and 'Hometown Left Behind,' ultimately winning the TBC Best Female Singer Award in 1975.
'High School Days' also appeared as an OST in the SBS drama 'High School Days,' which aired from 2001 to 2002. In the drama, depicting the lives of high school girls in the 1970s and 1980s, the late singer's song was recognized as a trademark of the work alongside retro school uniforms.
Afterwards, Lee Soo-mi was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer in December 2020 and battled the disease. Even during her treatment, she released 'On a Starry Night' in May 2021, showcasing her passion for music, but she sadly passed away just 9 months after the diagnosis.
In response to Lee Soo-mi's passing, fellow entertainers also paid tribute during her final journey. Among them, actor Lee Kwang-soo drew attention by posting a photo of the 'High School Days' album jacket on his personal SNS with the message, "Rest in peace."
[Photo] Provided by the Korea Singers Association.
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