'Neighbor' Singer Okhee, a Pioneer of K-pop, Passes Away and Takes the Stage in Heaven

Funeral Held on June 24 with Family and Fellow Singers in Attendance
Husband Hong Soohwan’s Farewell: "She Must Have Gone to a Special Suite in Heaven"
The Passing of a 1970s Star Known for "I Don't Know" on June 20

On the 21st, at the funeral hall of Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, where singer Okhee's funeral was held, her portrait was displayed. Photo by Joint Press Pool

Popular singer Okhee (real name Kim Kwangsook), who rose to fame in the 1970s, has passed away, surrounded by family and colleagues. She was 73 years old.

The funeral ceremony was held on June 24, 2026 at the funeral hall of Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul, organized by the Korea Singers Association. Among those who attended the ceremony to bid their final farewell were Park Sangcheol, president of the Korea Singers Association, as well as Yoo Hyunsang, Kang Jin, Lim Heesook, Jang Mihwa, and Kang Hyeyeon.

Okhee passed away on June 20 after battling kidney cancer. Her husband, Hong Soohwan, the former professional boxing world champion, cared for her by her side through her illness until the very end.

In his farewell address, Hong Soohwan said, "I sometimes wonder if I really lived with such a wonderful singer. Even after living together for 30 years, she always managed to surprise me with her greatness."

Reflecting on her life, he said, "She was always proactive in helping others, but there were many days when she barely spoke a word to her own family." He continued, "If she goes before God and is asked what her hit song was, and she answers 'Neighbor,' I feel like they'd say, 'Bring her to the VIP suite.'"

Her fellow artists also bid her a tearful farewell. Lim Heesook expressed her sorrow, saying, "Even when she was unwell, she never once complained." Jang Mihwa reminisced, "She was a one-of-a-kind diva, captivating the stage with her unique husky voice and commanding presence."

Hong Soo-hwan is guarding Okhee's funeral hall prepared at Seoul Asan Medical Center in Songpa-gu, Seoul. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Okhee was born in 1953 in Busan, which was a place of refuge during the Korean War, to parents who were active in a musical troupe. After the armistice, she moved to Seoul, and while in her third year at Baehwa Girls' Middle School, she was introduced to singer Hyunmi through her aunt, who ran a dress shop in Myeongdong. This led to an audition for a US 8th Army show supplier, marking her entry into the entertainment industry.

She debuted in 1968 as the leader of the five-member group Seoul Sisters, performing in Hong Kong, the Middle East, the United States, Canada, and many other places around the world. Appearing on KBS1's "Morning Yard" in 2019, she recalled, "We were the original K-pop stars who traveled the world."

After returning to Korea, she launched her solo career in 1974 with the song "I Don't Know." Composed by Kim Heegap and written by Kim Joongsun, the song earned her the MBC "Top 10 Singer Award." She went on to release a string of hits, including "Speak Only with Your Eyes" (1975), "I Think I Know Where You Are" (1976), "Ah, That Day" (1976), "Neighbor" (1977), and "Let's Hold Hands" (1977), gaining wide popularity.

In 1977, Okhee married former champion Hong Soohwan and gave birth to a daughter the following year, but they divorced after two years. After a hiatus due to childbirth, she returned to the stage in 1981 with "A Wife's Diary" and "Okhee's Dream." The couple reunited in 1995, 16 years after their divorce, drawing much attention. They had one son and one daughter together.

Okhee continued her music career with releases such as "Love Like a Novel" (2003) and "Because of Money" (2007). In March 2026, while battling kidney cancer, she appeared on KBS's "Kayo Stage" and passionately performed "Flower of Passion." Her final works include "Grateful Love," released in 2024 before her cancer diagnosis, and "Life Train" (2017), which was featured on the Yeuhoe music club album.

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