Okhee of 'Seoul Sisters' Passes Away After Battle With Kidney Cancer... Suhwan Hong Stayed by Her Side Until the End

Singer Okhee (real name Kim Kwangsuk), who captivated the Korean music scene in the 1970s, has passed away at the age of 73.

Singer Okhee. Yeuhoe

According to Yonhap News on June 21, singer Jang Mihwa, a close friend of the deceased, stated, "Okhee passed away from kidney cancer earlier today at a hospice ward in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. I took a taxi for a final visit this afternoon, and as soon as I arrived home, I received a call that she had passed." Jang added that Okhee passed away peacefully with her family by her side.

Okhee entered the entertainment industry after meeting singer Hyunmi through her aunt, who ran a dress shop in Myeong-dong, while she was in her third year at Baehwa Girls' Middle School. She auditioned at a US Eighth Army show supplier and began her music career.

Okhee debuted as the leader of the five-member group 'Seoul Sisters,' performing internationally in Hong Kong, the Middle East, the United States, and Canada. In a 2019 appearance on KBS's "Morning Yard," she looked back on that period, saying, "We were the pioneers of K-pop, traveling the world." After returning to Korea, she launched a successful solo career, debuting with "I Don't Know" and starting her domestic activities, eventually receiving the MBC 'Top 10 Singer Award.'

She continued to gain popularity with a string of hits, including "Speak Only With Your Eyes" (1975), "I Wonder Where You Are" (1976), "Ah, That Day" (1976), "Cousin from Abroad" (1977), and "Let's Hold Hands" (1977).

Singer Okhwi (right) and boxing world champion turned Okhee's husband, Hong Suhwan. Yeuhoe

In 1978, she entered a serious relationship with former boxing world champion Suhwan Hong, and they had a daughter together. However, the couple separated after a short time and went their separate ways. Nevertheless, Okhee and Suhwan Hong reunited about 16 years later, in 1995, drawing public attention. The two also collaborated after their reunion, releasing the "Okhee & Suhwan Hong Praise Album" in 2000 and performing together at charity concerts.

Her final songs were "Grateful Love," released in 2024, and "Life Train" from the Yeuhoe music group's album "Singing the Legend." Although she was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year and began battling the illness, she remained passionate about performing. In March of this year, she appeared on KBS's "Music Stage," passionately singing "Flower of Passion" for her fans.

She is survived by one son and one daughter with Suhwan Hong. The funeral hall will be set up at Asan Medical Center in Seoul, and the funeral will be conducted by the Korea Singers Association.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.