Former Sobangcha Member Jung Won-kwan Recalls Tragic Passing of NRG's Kim Hwan-sung

Jung Won-kwan, formerly of the iconic group Sobangcha, has opened up about the devastating loss of Kim Hwan-sung, a member of the group NRG, sharing the heartbreaking details behind his sudden death 25 years ago.

In a video released on the YouTube channel 'Song Seung-hwan's Wonderful Life' on the 16th, Jung recalled his time producing the group NRG. He carefully stated, 'Tae-hyung and I started, did NRG up to the second album, and then went independent. However, after the first album ended, one of the NRG members suddenly lost their life.'

He further elaborated, 'It was sepsis. He caught a cold, but after having a wisdom tooth removed, an infection developed there, and he passed away in just three days.' Jung revealed the profound shock he experienced at the time, admitting that this event led him to step away from the entertainment business for a while to rest.

Kim Hwan-sung debuted in 1997 as part of the five-member group NRG alongside Lee Sung-jin, Chun Myung-hoon, No Yoo-min, and Moon Sung-hoon. The group achieved significant success with hits like 'Can Do It' and 'Breakfast at Tiffany's,' establishing themselves as pioneers of the Korean Wave, even gaining popularity in China and Taiwan. Tragically, Kim Hwan-sung passed away suddenly on June 15, 2000, at the young age of 19, leaving fans in shock. While initially reported as a viral acute respiratory illness, the later revelation that sepsis following a wisdom tooth extraction was the cause has only amplified the sense of loss and disbelief among fans.

Jung Won-kwan first gained fame as a member of the legendary 80s K-pop group Sobangcha. Beyond his singing career, he has also ventured into producing and managing artists, including the group NRG. He is known for his candid reflections on his experiences in the K-entertainment industry.