Kang Seung-won, who created "Around Thirty," was devastated by the death of the late Kim Kwang-seok… "I couldn't do anything for eight years" [You Quiz]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Music director Kang Seung-won expressed deep longing while recalling the late Kim Kwang-seok.

On the episode of tvN's variety show "You Quiz on the Block" (hereinafter "You Quiz") broadcast on the 14th, music director Kang Seung-won appeared and revealed his special connection with Kim Kwang-seok.

That day, Kang Seung-won shared the story behind the creation of Kim Gwang-seok-ui (CEO)'s song "Around Thirty." He said, "I was leaning against a wall playing guitar by myself when the first verse just came out. I made it quickly," revealing that it took about half a day to write the lyrics for the song.

He then recalled, "The first time I sang it outside was during the final recording of 'Noh Young-shim's Small Music Concert.' Since I had only been playing in the background until then, I said, 'Let me sing one song too.'"

Kang Seung-won explained, "I did get edited out of the broadcast, but Kim Kwang-seok was at the recording studio. Kwang-seok said, 'Hyung, I want to do this song,' so I gave it to him." He added, "I invited Kwang-seok to my house and taught him the song. That's how we recorded it."

The two were like older and younger brothers with a five-year age gap, and they grew close over their shared love of music and alcohol. Kang Seung-won recalled Kim Kwang-seok from memory, saying, "He was someone whose words matched his thoughts. He was bright and couldn't stand injustice. He was a really pleasant junior."

However, Kim Kwang-seok's sudden death left a profound shock on Kang Seung-won. He said, "I saw the news of his death in the morning. At first I was bewildered, but then I realized it was true." He confided, "After that friend died, I couldn't do anything for seven to eight years. I couldn't even perform."

He further shared his state of mind at the time, saying, "I was so down that I worried about what would happen if leaves didn't sprout in spring," evoking sympathy.

Even this year, marking the 30th anniversary of Kim Kwang-seok's death, the longing for him remained strong. Kang Seung-won said, "He comes to mind from time to time. Every year, singer the late Kim Min-gi and I have held memorial events at Hakjeon. We also held events like 'Singing Kim Kwang-seok's Songs Again.'" He added, "Everyone misses him. In fact, that guy died too early."

When asked, "If Kim Kwang-seok were here now, what would you want to do?" he answered, "I would eat with him. After eating, we would probably make music again."

He then added, "Since I keep doing music programs, I think it would have been really nice if Kwang-seok had appeared on this episode," leaving viewers with a heavy heart.

Meanwhile, Kim Kwang-seok passed away on January 6, 1996. This year marks the 30th anniversary of his death.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original