Beloved as the "national singer" for his mischievous expressions and boyish, youthful looks, Kim Gunmo appeared before the public looking unrecognizably different. He returned after six years, cleared of wrongful sexual assault allegations, but his gaunt face, which reveals the emotional suffering he endured, has left fans saddened.
On the 29th, composer Joo Younghoon posted on his social media, "My beloved Gunmo hyung. Let's go together to the Seoul concert on Mar. 21," and released a photo taken with Kim Gunmo. Earlier, on the 16th, singer Woody also posted a two-shot with Kim Gunmo saying "My hero."
In the photos shared by colleagues, Kim Gunmo's appearance was markedly different from what the public remembered. The 58-year-old looked as if he had aged dramatically, beyond belief. Next to Joo Younghoon and Lee Yunmi, who were smiling brightly, Kim Gunmo stared at the camera with a somewhat stiff expression, and the cheek fullness from his prime was nowhere to be seen.
Netizens who saw this could not hide their shock. "His face is half gone from how much emotional suffering he must have gone through," "Is this really the 'Shin Gunmo' hyung we knew? He looks like an 80-year-old," "Alcohol and stress must have done this to him," they reacted with concern.
Kim Gunmo's change hints at the harsh ordeal of the past six years. In 2019, he was embroiled in allegations of sexually assaulting a bar worker raised on a YouTube channel and halted his activities in the entertainment industry entirely. At the time, he had completed his marriage registration with pianist Jang Jiyeon and was a groom-to-be, which made the shock even greater.
Kim Gunmo maintained his innocence and engaged in a long legal battle, and ultimately the prosecution's decision not to indict and the complainant's appeal being dismissed fully cleared him of the 2022 sexual assault allegations. But the wounds he suffered in the process were immense. Not only were ongoing concerts canceled, he also endured the pain of separation from his wife amid public criticism.
Breaking his long silence, he announced his return last year in the second half through a nationwide tour concert "Kim Gunmo." On stage he even showed his trademark banter. At the Suwon concert he likened his six-year hiatus to "a six-year-old red ginseng that rested and matured" and showed composure. But his gaunt appearance hidden behind the laughter suggested the weight of the "lost six years" and moved viewers.
Although he was exonerated, the public, confronted with a face that had aged dramatically as a result, sympathizes with him and supports his comeback. Kim Gunmo is scheduled to continue meeting fans through concerts in Seoul in March.
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