Kim Kwang-seok of folk group Sorisae dies at 70

Kim Kwang-seok, a member of the folk group Sorisae beloved in the 1980s for the songs "Ajikdo Motdahan Sarang" (Still Unfinished Love) and "Geuidae Geurigo Na" (You and I), died Tuesday morning. He was 70.

According to pop music critic Park Sung-seo and sources in the music industry, Kim's health had deteriorated following the COVID-19 pandemic. Kim had been living with a brain lesion disability since 2023 and died Tuesday morning.

Born in Incheon in 1956, Kim began his career performing with fellow singer Hwang Young-ik under the name Jjanmul Gypsy. In 1980, Han Jeong-seon joined the duo to form the trio Solgae, which debuted the following year. Solgae ranged across multiple genres — rock, trot music, reggae, R&B and country folk — with standout tracks including the rock number "Yeongeuk Junge" (In the Play) and the trot hit "Ajikdo Motdahan Sarang," written and composed by Han and the group's biggest crowd-pleaser.

The group renamed itself Solgae Trio in 1985. When Han departed in 1987, the remaining members brought in new vocalist Han Young the following year and relaunched as Sorisae. "Geuidae Geurigo Na," released during this period, became a major hit and the defining track of Kim's career.

After Han Young left in 1994, Sorisae continued as a duo of Kim and Hwang Young-ik. From 2000 onward, the group was joined by new member Yun Ki-hwan and held charity concerts supporting child-headed households, organ donation drives and well-digging projects in Africa. In 2015, Kim and Yun released a duet album, "Pyeonghwaui Gang" (River of Peace — Songs Sent to the Northern Land), marking the 70th anniversary of Korea's liberation.

The funeral is being held at the Gyowon Yeum Incheon Love Hospital funeral hall. The procession departs Wednesday at 1 p.m. For inquiries, call (032)441-0404.