Eom Young-soo: "Song Hae's voice was still strong during our call the other day, no intention to leave National Singing Contest" [Interview]

'Oldest Active MC' Song Hae Passes Away on the 8th at Age 95
Funeral at Seoul National University Hospital, Comedian's Funeral Held... Burial Near Song Hae Park, Dalseong-gun

Song Hae (left), Eom Young-su. Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "Just the other day during our phone call, his voice was still booming, and as always, he laughed heartily, so I thought he would recover quickly..."

The oldest national MC Song Hae (real name Song Bokhee) passed away at the age of 95. Um Youngsoo (formerly Um Yongsoo), his junior who closely assisted him and currently serves as the president of the Korea Broadcasting Comedy Association, expressed his feelings, saying, "It is so heartbreaking and overwhelming."

On the 8th, Chairman Um told Asia Economy over the phone, "I originally planned to visit and greet him today, but after receiving the news from Song Hae's family, I was at a loss," adding, "Even during the last call three days ago, his voice was so booming; I can't believe it."

Chairman Um said, "I heard that his daughter found him collapsed in the bathroom at home today," and added, "The funeral hall has been set at Seoul National University Hospital, and the funeral will be held as a comedian's funeral for five days."

He also stated, "The burial site will be near Song Hae Park in Dalseong-gun, Daegu," and explained, "His late wife Seokok's hometown is Dalseong-gun, and since Song Hae was a displaced person from Jaeryeong, Hwanghae Province, Dalseong was like a second hometown to him."

He continued, "I heard he went to the office just yesterday, and I was going to visit and greet him today, but hearing the sudden news this morning is just overwhelming," he confessed.

Chairman Um also emphasized the need to correct rumors about Song Hae stepping down from 'National Singing Contest.'

He said, "Recently, media reports stated that the teacher said it was time to quit because it was too much for him, but during a call a few days ago, he said, 'I never said such a thing,'" and explained, "Saying that the teacher quit the program he hosted all his life is a clear false report and needs to be corrected."

Chairman Um, who hosted 'Song Hae Big Show' and had a special relationship with the deceased, recalled, "For the past 30 years, I visited him, paid my respects, and greeted him every month, seeking advice on current issues in the comedy world. He was a caring and exemplary elder. Even when I was going through personal hardships, he never once scolded me; instead, he pretended not to know the details and would cut off any mention of it around him, showing how deeply he cared for his juniors."

He added, "He always told juniors that entertainers must be exemplary in health, acting, and broadcasting life, and he himself practiced this in real life," expressing his respect for the deceased.

Meanwhile, Song Hae passed away at his home in Dogok-dong, Seoul, on the same day. Since testing positive for COVID-19 in March and being hospitalized twice, there had been rumors about his health issues.

During this period, Song Hae reportedly missed recordings of KBS 1TV's 'National Singing Contest' and discussed his future with the production team.

Song Hae was born in 1927 in Jaeryeong, Hwanghae Province. He studied vocal music at Haeju Arts School and debuted in 1955 on stage with the 'Changgong Opera Troupe.' During the Korean War in 1951, he fled to Busan with the evacuation group. He appeared in entertainment programs such as the drama 'Single Ne Beongle Ne' (1981), KBS 2TV's 'Look Back at Me,' MBC TV's 'Semobang: All the World's Broadcasts,' and TV Chosun's 'Bukae Jeonseong Sidae.' In 2015, he received the 10th Korea Social Contribution Award Special Prize.

Since 1988, he hosted KBS 1TV's 'National Singing Contest,' establishing himself as the oldest active MC. Except for about six months from May to October 1994, when announcer Kim Seondong hosted due to a program revamp, he maintained the public recording stage for 34 years, meeting over 10 million people.

In recognition, he was listed in the Guinness World Records in April as the 'Oldest TV music talent show host.'

He is survived by two daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren. His wife Seokok passed away in 2018, and his son died earlier in a traffic accident in 1986. The burial site will be prepared near Okyeonji, Song Hae Park in Dalseong-gun, Daegu, the hometown of his wife Seokok, where she is also buried.

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