1990s ballad singer Kim Min-woo, who captured the hearts of women in Korea, will visit viewers through KBS 1TV's Song Documentary Back to the Music season 2.
In the 27th episode of Song Documentary Back to the Music season 2, which airs at 11 p.m. on the 15th (Sun), the program focuses on the dramatic life journey from Kim Min-woo's glamorous heyday, when his restrained sensibility and sincere voice dominated the era, to his rebirth as the "sales king" after overcoming unexpected trials.
■ 1990 miracle in the music scene, achieved the "double golden cup" with a single album
While building his skills as a member of the college band "Bohemian," Kim Min-woo changed the landscape of the music scene upon his debut. The title track of his first album released in 1990, "Sarang-il punnya," held the No. 1 spot on KBS' "Gayo Top 10" for five consecutive weeks and took the golden cup, and the follow-up song "Ipyeongyeolcha aneseo" also won the golden cup in succession. With two songs from one album each holding the No. 1 spot for five consecutive weeks, he swept the newcomer awards at that year's terrestrial music awards and the Golden Disc Awards. The epithet "a comet-like newcomer" fit singer Kim Min-woo perfectly.
■ the reality that became song lyrics, the time of trials that came with military enlistment
In the fall of 1990, at the height of his popularity, he suddenly enlisted and had to suspend activities, just like the lyrics of his song "Ipyeongyeolcha aneseo." The following year he released his second album during military service, but he had to swallow his tears without being able to properly promote the song or appear on broadcasts. After his discharge he continuously worked to return to the top of the music scene, but after the emergence of Seo Taiji and Boys in 1992 and the shift to dance music as the mainstream, his place in the industry diminished further.
After the consecutive commercial failures of his third and fourth albums, Kim Min-woo faced a tragedy in 1996 when his personal recording studio, which was practically everything to him, was burned down by a neighbor's arson.
At the young age of 27, Kim Min-woo fell into bankruptcy. To make a living, he put down the microphone, picked up a car catalog and began a second life as a luxury car salesman.
■ from "king of singers" to "king of sales"...20 years of service and a new musical leap
Starting again from the bottom, with his characteristic diligence he set the remarkable record of "1,000 cars sold" and rose to be recognized as a sales expert in the industry. At the end of 2025 he received a 20-year service award from his company, becoming widely known as an icon of diligence.
In this episode viewers can also hear the stories behind the birth of his hits and see moving live performances told directly by Kim Min-woo, who has grown from a boy into middle age with the passing years. Along with his daily life, lived fiercely after leaving the stage, the program will candidly capture his continued passion for music tucked away in a corner of his heart and his determined resolve to start anew as a singer.
[Photo] KBS 1TV
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