The star who burned brighter than anyone on stage, the eternal leader of the group Ulala Session, the late Im Yoon-taek, has been gone for 13 years.
Feb. 11, 2026, marks the 13th anniversary of Im Yoon-taek's passing at the age of 32 after battling stomach cancer. More than a decade has passed, but the music and positive energy he left behind remain vivid in the memories of the public.
The late Im Yoon-taek first became known to the public in 2011 when he participated in Mnet's audition program Superstar K3 as the leader of Ulala Session. At the time he had been diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer and was undergoing chemotherapy, but without showing signs of pain he delivered near-perfect performances and vocal ability each episode, writing a miracle.
In particular, Ulala Session, led by the late Im Yoon-taek, produced iconic performances across genres such as "Swing Baby," "The Fall of the Moon," and "Western Sky," and ultimately won the competition amid praise from judges and the public. As if to prove that the phrase "to risk one's life on stage" was no exaggeration, he completed a moving narrative by showing true leadership, guiding his teammates even in extreme circumstances.
The greatest legacy the late Im Yoon-taek left the public was not merely musical achievement. In life he practiced the message, "Don't say it's impossible; enjoy it positively." Even while battling illness he held a wedding and had a daughter, showing a strong will to live, and he also offered hope to young people facing hardship through his essays. Singer Psy praised him, saying "Im Yoon-taek is the coolest entertainer I've ever seen," and numerous senior and junior singers, including Lee Seung-Chul, admired his genius for stage direction and passion.
When he finally closed his eyes on Feb. 11, 2013, countless fans and colleagues were plunged into grief. On the 12th anniversary last year, actress Park Han-Byul posted the words "Remember TAQ" and photos taken with Ulala Session to commemorate him.
[OSEN]