Kim Jong-kook Marks 30th Anniversary with Sold-Out Concert 'The Originals'

Singer Kim Jong-kook successfully concluded his 30th-anniversary concert, 'The Originals,' delivering an unforgettable experience to his fans.

The concert, held on November 18th and 19th at the Blue Square SOLT TRAVEL HALL in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, comprised two shows. Tickets sold out instantly upon release, highlighting Kim Jong-kook's enduring popularity.

Opening with a grand VCR, the show kicked off with hits like 'A Jazz Bar,' 'Flashback,' and 'Love Forever.' Kim Jong-kook warmly greeted the audience, stating, "It's truly moving to realize how time has flown by to reach this 30th-anniversary milestone. This stage is possible thanks to all of you who have always supported me."

During the concert, Kim Jong-kook reminisced about his musical journey with fans, from his audition at Tae Jin-ah's agency in his early twenties to his activities with Turbo and his solo debut. He shared an anecdote about recording his first solo song, 'May You Be Happy,' revealing he took a calming drink due to nervousness, much to the audience's delight.

He candidly spoke about difficult times due to agency issues, his participation in 'Start Dream Team,' and the behind-the-scenes stories of his second album, released as a new beginning. He then energized the crowd with a string of hits including 'A Man,' 'Insanity,' and 'Cannot Forget.'

Kim Jong-kook showcased his versatility through songs from his third album like 'Star, Wind, Sunlight, and Love' and 'One Step Back,' as well as 'Letter' from his fourth album, released before his military enlistment. He also reminisced about his peak entertainment career on shows like 'Family Outing' and 'Running Man,' sharing anecdotes from his fifth album era.

He captivated the audience with his sweet vocals on 'Better Than Yesterday' and 'This is the One.' He also shared behind-the-scenes stories from his seventh album, 'Journey Home,' his last full-length album as a singer, and performed its title track, 'That's What Men Do.'

In the latter half of the concert, a Turbo medley featuring 'X,' 'Choice,' 'Love Is...,' 'Black Cat,' 'Twist King,' 'Good Bye Yesterday,' and 'White Love (Ski Song)' filled the venue with excitement. Special guests graced the stage: Cha Tae-hyun and Haha (Ma Sun-ho) on the first day, and Yang Se-chan, Jonathan, and Shorry on the final day, celebrating Kim Jong-kook's milestone and sharing heartwarming friendships.

Kim Jong-kook expressed his deep emotions looking back at his 30-year career and promised, "I will continue to show you good performances on various stages and broadcasts. Please listen to my story even for our 40th and 50th anniversaries." This heartfelt promise concluded the main show.

After a photo time session with fans, he selected 'My Heart Is Love' as the final song, touching the audience with its sincere lyrics. Responding to encore requests, Kim Jong-kook returned to sing 'Lovable' and 'Can't Get Better Than This,' bidding a final farewell to his fans.

Netizens reacted enthusiastically to Kim Jong-kook's 30th-anniversary concert, with comments like 'Kim Jong-kook's vocals are truly the best,' 'It's nostalgic to hear all the Turbo songs,' and 'I must go to the 40th-anniversary concert.' Many also noted, 'It's a reminder that he's a legend not just in variety shows but also as a singer.'