The funeral of the late Song Dae-gwan, who was loved by the public for popular songs such as 'Haetdeulnal,' was held on the morning of the 9th at around 9:30 a.m. at the funeral hall of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno District, Seoul.
The memorial service was conducted by the president of the Korean Singer Association. About 70 people, including family and colleagues, attended. The deceased's wife could not hide her tears at the funeral.
Lee Ja-yeon, president of the Korean Singer Association, reminisced about the anecdote of deciding the title of the song 'Nebwa' together with the deceased and sobbed. The president said, "I felt particularly fond of 'Nebwa' every time it aired, and I was happy that the song contributed to my life," and added, "Our juniors will long remember the senior's humorous demeanor, warm smile, and precious songs."
Singer Tae Jin-ah, who was close to the deceased, fought back tears during the tribute, saying, "Hyung was always a mentor to me. He told me, 'Just follow the path I take,' so I really followed him." He continued, "I haven't eaten for the past 3 days and filled my stomach with alcohol. I feel that if my hyung goes to heaven, there won't be much fun in my broadcasts."
Tae Jin-ah waved his hand at the end of the tribute and said, "Goodbye, Hyung Dae-gwan. My eternal rival."
Seo Woon-do, who was called one of the 'Four Kings of Trot' along with the deceased, said, "A singer ultimately begins and ends their life on stage," adding, "It pains my heart, but it is comforting that he left this world doing what he wanted to do until the end with a smile. I hope his empty place will be filled with love."
Following this, fellow singers Tae Jin-ah, Seo Woon-do, Kang Jin, and Kim Soo-chan sang the deceased's representative song 'Haetdeulnal' in a chorus. As the song 'Jjaenghago Haetdeulnal dolawondanda~' was sung, the sound of sobbing filled the memorial hall. Kim Soo-chan, who the deceased cherished during his lifetime, evoked both laughter and tears with his impersonation and mimicry of 'Haetdeulnal.'
The memorial service concluded with farewell messages from fellow singers. Afterwards, family members and singers carried the coffin and left the venue. The deceased will be laid to rest at the Utopia Memorial Hall in Anseong, Gyeonggi Province.
Song Dae-gwan passed away on the morning of the 7th at the age of 79. During the funeral period, fellow singers and entertainers including Tae Jin-ah, Seo Woon-do, Ha Chun-hwa, Hyun-sook, and Kim Heung-guk visited the mortuary to pay their respects.
Song Dae-gwan debuted in 1967 with 'Injeong Maneun Ajeossi' and released many hit songs including 'Haetdeulnal,' 'Yuhyeongga,' and 'Nebwa.' The last appearance of the deceased can be confirmed through KBS1's 'National Singing Contest.' Song Dae-gwan filmed episodes set in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, in October last year, and Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul. The recordings are scheduled to air on the 16th and March 2.