'Sikgaek Heo Young-man's Baekban Trip' Tae Jin-ah became teary thinking of the late Song Dae-gwan.
On the 21st episode of TV Chosun's 'Sikgaek Heo Young-man's Baekban Trip' (hereafter 'Baekban Trip'), Tae Jin-ah appeared and, while leaving for Seocheon County, South Chungcheong Province with Heo Young-man, recalled the late Song Dae-gwan.
That day Heo Young-man asked the 53-year veteran singer Tae Jin-ah, "When did you start dreaming of becoming a singer?" Tae Jin-ah said, "I couldn't sing well, but I liked singing. After I came up to Seoul I started with Chinese restaurant deliveries, then selling newspapers, shining shoes, working at a car wash — I did 37 different part-time jobs," he said, drawing surprise.
He continued, "When I worked at a Japanese restaurant, I would unconsciously sing while serving customers. One time while someone was eating they said, 'Your voice is unique. I'll give you a business card, so sing once for me.' That was composer Seo Seung-il," he recalled.
Meanwhile, Tae Jin-ah also revealed the backstory of his stage name. He said, "Seo Seung-il is the composer of my song 'Samogok.' My name was Cho Bang-heon, and it sounded too rural, so he tried to make a cool name: the 'Tae' from Tae Hyun-sil, the 'Jin' from Nam Jin, and the 'A' from Na Hoon-a, and so he named me Tae Jin-ah. He named me using the names of the era's greatest stars."
Also calling Im Ji-mi, Na Hoon-a and Cho Yong-pil innate singers, Tae Jin-ah modestly said, "I'm an acquired singer." Heo Young-man then asked about the late Song Dae-gwan, and Tae Jin-ah said, "Song Dae-gwan senior is neither acquired nor innate but in between," and added, "Whenever we talk about Song Dae-gwan senior, I miss him," expressing his longing.
The late Song Dae-gwan, Tae Jin-ah's eternal companion, died of a heart attack while receiving treatment in February. Tae Jin-ah said, "In my case, I think I'll only forget senior Song Dae-gwan after I die. He remains in my heart," showing an emotional moment.
When Heo Young-man comforted him, saying, "He probably went ahead and saved a good seat for you," Tae Jin-ah replied, "I already told him to save a good seat," revealing his unchanged feelings.
Meanwhile, Tae Jin-ah shared an unforgettable anecdote from a performance in North Korea. He said he visited North Korea in 1999 for a performance and recalled, "We met in Beijing, transferred on Air Koryo and went in. What was eerie was when I climbed the stairs a stewardess, seeing me for the first time, said, 'Comrade Kojo Tae Jin-ah, please come this way.' I had never been seen by this person before and my hair stood on end. I couldn't say a word and just sat quietly," recalling the unsettling moment.
Above all, Tae Jin-ah shocked everyone by confessing that his song "Ok-gyeong-i" was banned from the performance before his North Korea concert. He said, "We did rehearsals and everything. On the day of the performance they told me, 'Comrade Tae Jin-ah, do not sing "Ok-gyeong-i."' In North Korea you can't sing songs that include names other than the great leader Kim Il-sung and leader Kim Jong-il. They told me not to sing 'Ok-gyeong-i,' so I only sang 'Samogok.'"
[Photo] Screenshot of 'Sikgaek Heo Young-man's Baekban Trip' broadcast
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