Music critic Im Jin-mo opens up about longing for son who died at 33

Music critic Im Jin-mo has spoken openly about his grief for his son, who died after a seven-year battle with a brain tumor.

Im appeared Wednesday on tvN's variety program Yu Quiz on the Block, where he shared memories of his son and reflected on life after losing him.

During the episode, Im revealed the story behind the bow ties he regularly wears.

He said his son had once told him he liked the look. "'That's great, Dad — you should wear bow ties from now on,' he said. So that's when I started wearing them," Im explained. "Even as the seasons change, I always wear one. It makes me feel like my son is still with me," he added.

After hearing about his son, host Yoo Jae-suk gently raised the fact that the son had passed away in 2021.

Im said his son had left him behind. "A few months before he died, my son was working as my manager and would pick out bow ties to match each of my outfits one by one," he said. "If I had known it would come to this, I would have taken him to all the beautiful places in this country. I deeply regret that we just stayed home instead."

His son's illness began in 2014, when he went to the hospital complaining of headaches and was ultimately diagnosed with a brain tumor. Despite seven years of treatment, he died in the summer of 2021 at the age of 33.

"I already died when my son closed his eyes. I went with him completely," Im said, leaving viewers deeply moved. "How could anyone be the same after watching their own child close their eyes for the last time right in front of them?"

Im also revealed that he has kept the last pair of socks his son wore before he died — and that he had put them on for the day's recording. "I wear his socks, his undershirt, his shoes, and feel like we are together," he said, finding comfort in the closeness they brought him.