Tae Jin-ah Remembers Late Song Dae-kwan with Deep Affection on 'Backpacking Crew'

Veteran singer Tae Jin-ah appeared on TV Chosun's 'Backpacking Crew' (Sikgaek Huh Young-man's Baekban Gihaeng) and shared heartfelt memories of the late Song Dae-kwan.

During the episode, Tae Jin-ah, who has been in the music industry for 53 years, recounted his early days in Seoul. He revealed working over 37 part-time jobs, from delivering for a Chinese restaurant to selling newspapers and washing cars, all while nurturing his dream of becoming a singer. He shared the story of how he received his stage name, Tae Jin-ah, from composer Seo Seung-il, who was impressed by his singing while he worked at a Japanese restaurant. The name was a blend of elements from top stars of the era, Nam Jin and Na Hoon-a.

While humbly classifying himself as an 'acquired' singer compared to 'natural' talents like Lee Mi-ja, Na Hoon-a, and Cho Yong-pil, Tae Jin-ah's emotions shifted when Song Dae-kwan was mentioned. He described Song Dae-kwan as neither 'natural' nor 'acquired' but somewhere in between, expressing a deep longing, saying, "Whenever his name comes up, I miss him."

Speaking about Song Dae-kwan, who passed away in February, Tae Jin-ah expressed, "For me, I think I will only forget Senior Song Dae-kwan when I die. He remains in my heart." When host Huh Young-man offered comfort by suggesting Song Dae-kwan might have secured a good place in the afterlife, Tae Jin-ah lightened the mood with a chuckle, saying, "I told him, too, to secure a good spot for me."

Tae Jin-ah, born in 1954, is a renowned South Korean trot singer. His breakthrough came with the song 'Ok Gyeong-i' in 1988, solidifying his status in the music industry. He is also known for his charitable activities and has often been recognized for his contributions to society.