'Gajok Orakgwan' Veteran Heo Cham Passes Away (Comprehensive)

Active as a DJ at a folk music hub, became the 'National MC'
Vigorously active until last year... Battling liver cancer

KBS's long-time host Heo Cham (real name Lee Sang-ryong) of 'Family Entertainment Center' has passed away. According to the broadcasting industry on the 1st, he had been battling liver cancer and passed away on this day at the age of 73.

Born in Busan, he graduated from Busan Yeongnam Commercial High School and Dong-A University with a degree in Business Administration. In 1970, he worked as a DJ at the music cafe 'Shelbur' and officially debuted in the entertainment industry the following year as the host of Tongyang Broadcasting Company (TBC)'s '7th Singer Show.' Shelbur was a hub for folk music at the time. Singers such as Im Chang-je, Kang Eun-cheol, Wi Il-cheong, Lee Dae-heon, and Kim Beom-ryong were active there. While performing on stage together, he joked that he couldn't remember his own name, which led to his stage name Heo Cham. When someone said, "Heo Cham, there are people who don't know their own name," he replied, "Now I remember. It's Heo Cham."

Known for his wit and broad knowledge in various fields, he was a dynamic host on MBC radio's 'Youth is Fun,' TBC's 'Show Show Show,' 'Gayo Encore,' 'Gayo Cheongbaekjeon,' 'All-Star Cheongbaekjeon,' 'Show Sunday Express,' MBC's 'Single Bungle Show,' 'Youth is Full,' 'Blue Traffic Light,' and TBS's 'Gayo Driver's Seat.' His representative work was 'Family Entertainment Center,' which he led for 25 years. From its first broadcast in April 1984 to its final episode in April 2009, he provided viewers with lighthearted laughter and entertainment. The only time he was absent was for one week in the mid-1980s due to hospitalization from a traffic accident.

After 'Family Entertainment Center' ended, he appeared on various music programs such as SBS's 'Trot Paldo Gangsan,' KBS's 'Challenge Housewife Gayo Star,' Gyeongin Broadcasting's '8 Provinces Singing Contest,' and Mnet's 'Golden Hit Song.' In 2003, he debuted as a singer by releasing the album 'Woman of Memories.' Recognized for his vigorous activities, he received the TV Host Award at the 2005 Korea Entertainment Arts Awards and the Achievement Award at the 2006 KBS Entertainment Awards. His last program appearance was on KBS's 'Immortal Songs - Legendary MC Special' broadcast in November last year.

The funeral is being held at Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, 2nd floor, room 21. The funeral procession will begin at 5:20 a.m. on the 3rd.

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