'The man in the yellow shirt,' a veteran singer who decorated a page in the history of Korean popular music, Han Myeong-suk, has passed away. She was 90.
The late Han Myeong-suk died on Jan. 22 of last year. It was reported that she had been suffering from a chronic illness and had quietly ended her life, and the belated news added to the music industry's sadness.
She was born in 1935 in Jinnampo, South Pyeongan Province, and after moving to the south she passed through the Taeyang Opera Troupe and began her singing career on stages for the U.S. Eighth Army. At the time, the U.S. Eighth Army show stage was a nursery where skilled singers were trained, and Han Myeong-suk also honed her solid vocal ability and stage manner during this period. She later met composer Son Seok-woo, which marked a decisive turning point in her singing career.
In 1961, the song "The man in the yellow shirt," handed to her by Son Seok-woo, received explosive love upon its release and instantly propelled Han Myeong-suk into the ranks of top stars. This song, which recorded a national hit from her debut, was made into a film of the same name the following year, and Han Myeong-suk proved her popularity by appearing as the lead.
Han Myeong-suk was also noted for her unusual overseas activities at the time. In 1963, French popular chanson singer Yvet Giraud sang "The man in the yellow shirt" in Korean during her concert in Korea, creating a sensation, and Han later toured various parts of Asia. Because of such activities, she was sometimes evaluated as "Korea's first Hallyu star."
Despite the ordeal of a critical vocal cord surgery, she released about 300 songs in her lifetime and never stopped her passion as a singer. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded the National Order of Cultural Merit in 2000, and in 2010 she received a plaque of appreciation from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Meanwhile, concerns about the late singer's health were also conveyed through broadcasts during her lifetime. Singer Hyun-mi mentioned Han Myeong-suk when she chose "The man in the yellow shirt" on KBS2's Immortal Songs stage. The two were longtime colleagues who once sang together on the U.S. Eighth Army stage. At the time, Hyun-mi said, "My friend of 60 years is in the hospital, so I feel so lonely and sad," and "I want to deliver your song to the fans on your behalf," which moved many to tears.
[Photo] OSEN DB
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