Ock Hee Passes Away, Reunites with Hong Soo Hwan in Love

Singer Ok Hee (real name Kim Gwang-sook, 73), who represented the 1970s, has passed away after battling kidney cancer. Ok Hee passed away peacefully the previous afternoon in a hospice ward in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, surrounded by her family.

Born in Busan in 1953, the deceased was born to parents who were active in a musical troupe during the Korean War. After the armistice, she moved to Seoul and met singer Hyun Mi while attending Baehwa Girls' Middle School, which led to her entering the entertainment industry. She debuted in 1968 as the leader of the five-member female group Seoul Sisters, actively performing on overseas stages, and even called herself "the originator of K-pop who roamed the world."

After returning to Korea, her solo debut song "I Don't Know," released in 1974, became a huge hit, earning her the MBC Top 10 Singers Award. She subsequently released hits like "Speak Only with Your Eyes," "Where Do You Think You Are," "Ah, That Day," "Neighbor," and "Let's Hold Hands," establishing herself as a leading female singer of the 1970s.

The deceased also garnered attention for her relationship with former boxing world champion Hong Soo-hwan. The two had a daughter in 1978 after dating, but later separated. Ok Hee briefly suspended her activities after childbirth and resumed her singing career in 1981 with the release of "Wife's Diary" and "Ok Hee's Dream."

The couple later reunited in 1995, 16 years after their separation, drawing public attention. In 2000, they released a joint gospel album and performed at charity concerts, showcasing their enduring marital affection.