Singer Hyeoncheol of 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' passes away at 82 years old...

Passed Away After Battling Nerve Damage

Hyun Chul (real name Kang Sang-su), a trot singer who left numerous hit songs such as 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' and 'Sarang-ui Imeumpyo,' has passed away at the age of 82. Hyun Chul passed away on the afternoon of the 15th at a hospital in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, due to an illness.

Born in 1942, he debuted in 1969 at the age of 27 with the song 'Mujeonghan Geudae.' However, unlike popular singers at the time such as Na Hoon-a and Nam Jin, Hyun Chul had to endure a long period of obscurity. He later rose to fame in the 1980s with hit songs like 'Anjuna Seona Dangsin Saenggak' and 'Sarang-eun Nabi-ingabwa.'

Singer Hyun Chul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

In particular, with the release of 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' in 1988, he won the KBS 'Gayo Daesang' in 1989. The following year, in 1990, he enjoyed his heyday by winning the grand prize for two consecutive years with the hit 'Silta Silheo.' At that time, Hyun Chul was also called one of the 'Trot Four Kings' along with Song Dae-gwan, Tae Jin-ah, and Seol Woon-do.

He continued to release new songs and remain active until the 2010s, but in 2018, while performing his hit song 'Bongseonhwa Yeonjeong' on KBS 'Gayo Stage,' he appeared to struggle, causing concern among fans. It is known that Hyun Chul had been battling illness for a long time after his health deteriorated due to nerve damage following cervical disc surgery several years ago. He is survived by one son and one daughter.

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