Beloved 1970s Korean singer Ok Hee (real name Kim Gwang-suk), widely cherished for popular hits such as ‘Neighbors’ (이웃사촌), has passed away at the age of 73 after a courageous battle with cancer.
According to music industry sources on June 21st, Ok Hee passed away on June 20th in a hospice ward at a hospital in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province. She had been battling kidney cancer since her diagnosis in February of last year. Reports indicate that her health had sharply declined recently, and her devoted husband, former boxing champion Hong Soo-hwan, was by her side during her final moments.
Just this past January, Ok Hee appeared on MBC’s ‘Good Day’ program, where she shared updates on her fight against kidney cancer, acknowledging its metastasis but expressing optimism about her recovery. Despite her hopeful outlook, her condition is said to have deteriorated rapidly about a month prior to her passing.
Born in 1953, Ok Hee first rose to prominence in 1974 as a member of the popular girl group Seoul Sisters, performing extensively in the United States. She then launched her successful solo career in Korea with her debut song ‘I Don’t Know’ (나는 몰라요), followed by a string of chart-topping hits including ‘Speak with Your Eyes’ (눈으로 말해요) and the iconic ‘Neighbors’ (이웃사촌).
Ok Hee’s personal life also garnered attention; she married Hong Soo-hwan in 1977. Although they divorced a year later, the couple famously reunited and remarried in 1995 after 16 years apart. She is survived by her daughter and son.
The funeral will be held at the Seoul Asan Medical Center Funeral Hall, and will be conducted as a Korean Singers Association funeral, honoring her significant contributions to the nation’s music industry.
