Kim Min-ki, a singer, composer and playwright who nurtured countless talented artists while operating an iconic theater on Seoul’s vibrant Daehangno theater street for more than 30 years, died Sunday. He was 73.
Kim died from worsening symptoms of stomach cancer, a chronic disease, according to sources in the performing arts scene Monday.
Kim was known for operating Hakchon Theater, which was a Daehangno landmark, as well as his 70s’ songs “Morning Dew” and “Evergreen Tree.” He also produced “Line 1,” his 1994 Korean adaptation of an original German musical.
Born in 1951, he began his musical career as part of a Korean folk song duo while attending a university in Seoul in 1969.
Kim rose to prominence as the composer of the song “Morning Dew,” performed by Korean folk singer Yang Hee-eun. The song later became a popular protest song among pro-democracy student activists.
Kim’s music defied the pressure of the then military-backed governments. His albums were pulled from record stores, and songs banned f
or criticizing the regime and society.
Despite working in a garment factory and a mine to make a living, he continued to express his thoughts through song.
Kim’s influence extended beyond music, as he actively produced plays and musicals in the theater scene.
In 1991, he established the Hakchon Theater in Daehangno, which became a haven for aspiring artists and a hub for cultural exchange.
Hakchon served as a launchpad for many prominent Korean singers, including the late Kim Kwang-seok, Yoon Do-hyun, Na Yoon-sun, and Jeong Jae-il, who honed their craft at the venue.
Kim’s landmark rock musical “Line 1” premiered at the theater in 1994. The musical, which tells the story of a woman encountering diverse people with all different socioeconomic backgrounds on Seoul’s subway Line 1, holds a significant place in Korean musical theater history. It ran for over 8,000 performances until 2023, captivating over 700,000 theatergoers.
Financial strain and his health issues led to the theater’s closure in March of t
his year, after 33 years of operation.
Kim is survived by his spouse and two sons.
Source: Yonhap News Agency
