Kim Jong-jin reflects on frozen time, Jeon Tae-gwan's battle

Singer Kim Jong-jin shared his musical journey and deep reflections on his colleagues. Appearing on a program hosted by Song Seung-whan, a living legend of the Korean performing arts scene, Kim candidly revealed the hidden realities of production systems behind glamorous stages and various facets of his personal life.

Behind-the-scenes stories of glamorous concert production

Kim revisited the vivid reality of concert production through anecdotes from his past Hilton Hotel concert. An episode regarding how he accommodated the producer at the time, Song, so he could rest in a suite, provides a glimpse into the production culture of that era. Furthermore, he emphasized a "back to basics" spirit, noting that after completing large-scale performances, the team would return to their roots by touring live clubs across the country.

He also offered reflections on the intensity of the performing arts. Mentioning his experience in dramas and musicals, Kim said he learned many life lessons while watching the fierce lives of musical actors who pour everything they have onto the stage. This demonstrates an artist's perspective of learning from the lives of others beyond mere performance experience.

Longing for departed colleague Jeon Tae-gwan

The conversation turned to tender memories of Jeon Tae-gwan, who passed away in 2018. Kim spoke of Jeon's battle with kidney cancer, retracing the time they spent together and the legacy he left behind. "I feel as if my time is frozen there," Kim remarked, reflecting his unceasing longing for his departed colleague.

The discussion captured both the evolution of Korean performing arts culture and the heavy burdens artists face. Rather than focusing solely on achievements under the bright lights, the narrative provided a multi-dimensional look at an artist's life, where the grit of live clubs intersects with the sorrow of losing a colleague.