Remembering Hyunmi: Two Years Since Her Passing

April 4, 2025, marks the second anniversary of the passing of beloved singer Hyunmi (현미), who left us on April 4, 2023, at the age of 85. According to police reports, she was found collapsed at her home in Ichon-dong, Yongsan, by the president of her fan club, Mr. Kim, who promptly notified the authorities. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, she was pronounced dead. Her sudden death shocked many, especially since she had performed at a free concert just a day prior.

Lee Ja-yeon (이자연), president of the Korean Singer Association, shared her thoughts on a YouTube channel, suggesting that Hyunmi's fall might have been related to a previous injury. "She had been dining out just yesterday, and it seems she fell again after having broken her ankle last year while working on flower pots on her balcony. Even if she claimed to be fully recovered, injuries can leave lasting effects. It’s heartbreaking to think that if someone had been there to help her quickly, this tragedy might have been avoided," she reflected.

Upon hearing the news, Hyunmi's niece, singer No Sa-yeon (노사연), was devastated and wept at the funeral. She comforted Hyunmi's son, Lee Young-gon (이영곤), telling him not to feel guilty, saying, "Mom has gone to a better place." Lee Young-gon expressed his sorrow, lamenting, "How could my mother leave us like this?"

In a subsequent interview with a current affairs program, Lee Young-gon recounted his shock upon hearing the news. "At first, I couldn't believe it. With so many fake news stories circulating, I thought it was a lie. But when the truth kept coming out, I was stunned."

Another niece, actor Han Sang-jin (한상진), recalled the moment he learned of her passing while driving. He initially refrained from sharing the news with friends to avoid alarming them, but later found missed calls from family on his phone.

Hyunmi, a first-generation displaced singer, began her entertainment career on the US military base stages. She gained immense popularity with her 1962 hit "Night Mist" (밤안개) and went on to release several beloved songs, including "I Miss Your Face" (보고 싶은 얼굴), "Without Saying Goodbye" (떠날 때는 말 없이), "All My Love" (몽땅 내사랑), and "I Just Liked It" (무작정 좋았어요).