Singer Son Dam-bi's performance of "Michyeosseo" and his appearance on "National Singing Contest," which earned him the nickname "Hal-dam-bi," have led to the late revelation that Ji Byeong-su has passed away.
On the 17th, Yonhap News reported that the late Ji Byeong-su died of natural causes at National Medical Center (NMC) on Oct. 30. He was 82 years old.
He was born in Gimje, North Jeolla, as the youngest of 11 children of a wealthy landowner, dropped out of Hanyang University's department of trade, worked at a construction company, opened a haberdashery in Myeong-dong, Seoul, and also once ran a bar in Sinchon.
Never married, he raised two adopted sons and appeared on KBS's "National Singing Contest" in 2019, where he became a major sensation with the nickname "Hal-dam-bi," short for "grandfather Son Dam-bi." His sultry rendition of "Michyeosseo" helped boost his popularity.
Starting with "Entertainment Relay," Ji Byeong-su appeared on various programs including tvN's "You Quiz on the Block" and KBS1's "The Human Theater," and Song Dong-ho, whom he met on "National Singing Contest," served as his manager. In 2019 he released the new song "Get up."
Although his funeral was held without known relatives, Song Dong-ho and his adopted sons took on the roles of chief mourners. The funeral rite was held on Nov. 15, and he was interred in the columbarium at Byeokje municipal cemetery.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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