Around 7 PM on Dec. 12, fans of singer Nah Hoon-A (78) are taking commemorative photos in front of the KSPO Dome at Olympic Park in Songpa-gu, Seoul. On this day, Nah Hoon-A is holding his last concert, titled 2024 Thank You - LAST CONCERT. /Courtesy of Choi Jeong-seok

Now, it’s really the last one. Let’s take one more picture and go in.

At around 5:50 p.m. on the 12th, Yoon Saemi (61) said this to her friends before entering the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa District, Seoul, to see singer Nah Hoon-ah's (78) last concert "2024 Thank You - Last Concert (LAST CONCERT)." Yoon remarked, "The oldest memory in my head is singing along to Nah Hoon-ah's songs that played on the radio," adding, "I’ve lived my whole life listening to Nah Hoon-ah's songs..." unable to continue.

Nah Hoon-ah has been touring the nation since April 27 last year, starting in Incheon, to say goodbye to his fans through the "Thank You - Last Concert." The concert in Seoul on the 10th to 12th was the grand finale of the series, with the performance starting at 7:30 p.m. marking the end of Nah Hoon-ah's singing career.

◇30s fan says, “At 78, he was flying on stage and his voice was full of power, shocking.”

That evening, a large number of fans gathered in front of the KSPO Dome to witness Nah Hoon-ah's final moments. They took photos against the posters displayed at the concert hall while waiting for the performance, and a café in Olympic Park could not accommodate customers without combining tables.

The fan club "The Gathering of People Who Love Nah Hoon-ah's Songs (NASAMO)" unfolded a banner reading, "I will cry when I miss you." NASAMO president Kim Mo (63) said, "After losing my mother at a young age and having no one to rely on, I accidentally heard Nah Hoon-ah's songs for the first time and found great solace, allowing me to live until now," adding, "Nah Hoon-ah is a hero to all the fans here."

When asked about his feelings ahead of Nah Hoon-ah's final performance, Kim's eyes welled up as he said, "My heart is breaking." He continued, "He has lived his life giving strength to the people through his songs, and now I hope he can let it all go and live healthy and comfortably."

Family units were also notably visible among the audience around the concert hall. There were large families, including elementary school children with parents and grandparents, as well as children accompanying their elderly parents. In some cases, siblings in their 70s came to the concert with a mother in her 90s. Park Gwi-ja (92) said, "Due to my physical condition, I have only listened to Nah Hoon-ah's songs and have never been to a concert before. However, since this is said to be the last concert of Nah Hoon-ah's career, I thought I should see it in person before I die and came."

Fans who visit the 2024 Nah Hoon-A Thank You - LAST CONCERT, held at the KSPO Dome in Olympic Park, Songpa-gu, Seoul, are taking commemorative photos. /Courtesy of News1

There were also instances of parents entering the concert hall while their children waited outside. Choi Yoo-jeong (31) said she met at the audience rest area in front, stating, "My parents love Nah Hoon-ah, so I attempted to book three tickets, but I could only find two." She added, "Even the two tickets we managed to get are not sitting together; my parents will have to watch separately inside," laughing.

Around 10 p.m., after Nah Hoon-ah's final concert concluded, the faces of the exiting audience were generally bright. One woman smiled, saying, "Oh my, it was really so much fun." Kim Soon-hee (59) remarked, "It has been about 40 years since I chased after Nah Hoon-ah. While I feel regret, the thought that 'our singer has really worked hard' is greater. He has had a long singing career; it seems better to stop while he still has energy and enjoy life."

There were also audience members who expressed their disappointment. Choi Young-ja (93) said, "I’ve been a fan since his debut. I bought all his albums and attended concerts several times," adding, "It honestly feels like a long-running drama is finally ending. I feel really empty inside." Na Soo-jeong (34) shared, "I became a fan after watching the untact concert broadcast during COVID-19. At 78, he was flying around the stage and his voice was full of power; I was shocked. Couldn't he continue for two more years and retire at 80?"

Citizens are taking commemorative photos while waiting to enter the 2024 Nah Hoon-A Thank You - LAST CONCERT at the KSPO Dome in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on Dec. 12. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

◇In response to criticism from the opposition, he said, “Why don’t you get your act together and talk to me like an adult?”

During his final performance, Nah Hoon-ah said, "I believe that the decision to put down the microphone is the best decision I have made in my life," adding, "My performances need strength. The thought of stepping down did not come to me today or yesterday; it started six years ago after the concert in Busan."

Nah Hoon-ah stated, "I was a star, walking on clouds and living in the sky among the stars," adding, "Having struggled to live that way, I will now walk on the ground." He continued, "When the market opens, I most want to enjoy makgeolli and bindaetteok."

Nah Hoon-ah also remarked about the criticism from the opposition regarding statements he made the night before the concert, saying, "Why don’t those guys get their act together and talk to me like an adult, sitting around doing XX?" Earlier, Nah Hoon-ah mentioned regarding the impeachment situation of President Yoon Seok-yeol, "The left is pointing fingers at the right for mistakes while asking, 'What have you done right?'"