BoA's Brother, Late Director Kwon Soon-wook, Remembered Four Years After His Passing

Four years have passed since the passing of Kwon Soon-wook, the acclaimed music video director and older brother of K-pop superstar BoA, stirring reflections on his life and the enduring bond he shared with his family. Director Kwon passed away on September 5, 2021, at the age of 39, following a courageous battle with stage 4 peritoneal cancer. His sister, BoA, personally delivered the heartbreaking news via social media, expressing profound grief.

Kwon Soon-wook first disclosed his cancer diagnosis in May 2020, revealing the grim prognosis of just 2-3 months to live and a drastic weight loss to 36kg due to intestinal obstruction. He openly shared the devastating words from doctors, "an incurable disease," which resonated deeply with the public.

Throughout his illness, BoA remained a steadfast source of support and love. She publicly shared messages of hope, promising to cook ramen for him and urging him to fight on. In her final poignant farewell, BoA wrote, "My brother and best friend, thank you for being born as my brother. Our last conversation was 'I love you,' and I'm grateful you left me with such warm words." Due to COVID-19 restrictions, his funeral was a private affair attended only by close family and relatives. He was laid to rest in the family burial grounds in Yeoju.

The late Kwon Soon-wook was a distinguished South Korean music video director. He crafted visual masterpieces for many top K-pop acts, including his sister BoA, Girls' Generation, and Red Velvet. His innovative directing style and artistic vision played a crucial role in shaping the visual identity of the K-pop industry.