"Feeling Like an Arm Has Fallen Off" Late Hyunmi's 60-Year Friend Eom Aengran

Actress Eom Aeng-ran (87), who boasted a special friendship with the late singer Hyunmi (real name Kim Myung-sun), expressed deep sorrow over Hyunmi's passing, saying she felt "as if her arm had fallen off."

On the 5th, Eom Aeng-ran told Yonhap News, "Hyunmi and I were always together, whether sitting or standing, day or night, wherever we went," adding, "Now, I have no friends left."

Actress Eom Aeng-ran. [Photo by Yonhap News]

The bond between Eom Aeng-ran and Hyunmi dates back 60 years. Eom recalled, "We first met at an event when we were in our twenties," and said, "Hyunmi said, 'Oh, Eom Aeng-ran, I've only heard your name but never seen your face,' so I told her, 'I'll be your older sister.'" Eom Aeng-ran, born in 1936 and 86 years old, is two years older than Hyunmi, who was born in 1938. Since then, they relied on each other and built a strong friendship over 60 years.

The two often shared their deepest feelings. It is said that when Hyunmi had arguments with her husband, the late composer Lee Bong-jo, she would visit Eom Aeng-ran's house to seek comfort.

Eom Aeng-ran said, "We lived in the same apartment. Whether it was Hyunmi's house or ours, we came and went as if it were our own home," adding, "We lived so happily like that." She continued, "We confided in each other without reservation," saying, "When we were sad, we shared our sadness; when we disliked someone, we even complained about our husbands to each other."

Eom Aeng-ran expressed regret, saying that they checked on each other's well-being every day until the day before Hyunmi passed away. She said, "(Hyunmi) is still sitting inside the ice," adding, "She hates everything and is sad."

Singer Hyunmi (real name Kim Myeongseon) passed away on the morning of the 4th. She was 85 years old. The photo shows Hyunmi speaking at a press conference for her 50th debut anniversary concert held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on November 6, 2007. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, in the TV Chosun program 'Star Documentary My Way' aired in October last year, Hyunmi expressed affection for Eom Aeng-ran, saying, "Even though she is a star, she doesn't show off, is very patient and understanding. I think there is no one else like her," and called her "a woman I truly love." At that time, Eom Aeng-ran also said about Hyunmi, "I know many celebrities, but I dislike them all and like Hyunmi. She never hates anyone."

Meanwhile, Hyunmi was found collapsed at her home in Ichon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at 9:37 a.m. on the 4th. She was taken to a nearby hospital but ultimately passed away.

Born in 1938 in Gangdong-gun, Pyeongannam-do, Hyunmi began her singing career in 1957 through a US Army base entertainment performance. Since then, she achieved successive hits with songs like "Night Fog," "Face I Want to See," and "Lover," growing into a representative diva of Korea. In 2007, marking her 50th anniversary since debut, she became the first Korean singer to hold a concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts Grand Theater.

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