Folk rock singer Ahn Chi-hwan has revealed that he was supposed to meet the late Kim Kwang-seok on the very day of his death — but went home early instead, only to see his friend at the mortuary the next morning.
The confession came on MBN’s “Kim Joo-ha’s Day & Night,” which aired October 17, per Maeil Business Newspaper. The two Korean folk musicians were close long before either was famous, having played together in the group Norael Channeun Saramdeul.
Ahn said Kim played a decisive role in his solo debut: he asked Kim to record demo tapes and bring them to a record label so Ahn could receive an advance for his album.
“He was a lovely hyung,” Ahn recalled. “He had deep affection for people and tried to see the world warmly.” He grew emotional watching old footage of the two singing together.
The two had planned to meet for dinner the night before to talk about an album. “My schedule ended a little early, and I was tired, so I said I’d go home first,” Ahn said. “The next morning at dawn, I saw him at the mortuary. I wished someone had been by his side to comfort him and ease his loneliness. If only I had been there then — it’s heartbreaking, and I am sorry and sad.”
Ahn, celebrating his 40th debut anniversary this year, released his 15th studio album “Seize the Day” in September and will hold a concert in Seoul in November.
