Song Bok-hee (Korean: 송복희; 27 April 1927 – 8 June 2022),[1] also known professionally as Song Hae (Korean: 송해), was a South Korean television music show host and singer. He had been the host of the music show National Singing Contest from 1988 until his death in 2022,[2] and was also a veteran of the Korean War.[3]
Early life[edit]
Song Bok-hee was born on 27 April 1927 in modern-day Chaeryŏng-gun, South Hwanghae Province in North Korea.[4] His family was part of the Yeosan Song clan.[5] Song started as a singer who majored in operatic singing in Haeju conservatory of music in 1949.[6]
During the Korean War, he fled via boat to the south, arriving in the port of Busan. He later used the stage name, Hae (meaning sea), as a memory of this voyage.[7] Song served as a military signaller for the South, and claimed to have transmitted the message for the ceasefire of the Korean War.[8]
In 1955, Song Hae debuted in the Changgong musical troupe.[9] In 1988, at the age of 60, Song became the emcee for Korea Sings, a position he held until his death in 2022.[10]
Personal life and death[edit]
In 1953, Song married his wife, Suk Ok-ee.[11] In 1986, his son, Chang-jin was killed in a bike accident.[8][12] On 20 January 2018, his wife, Ok-ee, passed away.[11]
Song died at his home in the Gangnam District of Seoul on 8 June 2022, aged 95.[13][14] He was cremated at a crematory in Gimcheon and his ashes were buried at the family cemetery nearby Songhae Park(Korean: 송해공원) in Daegu on June 10, 2022.
Filmography[edit]
Television shows[edit]
Awards and honors[edit]
宋海主持音樂節目長達34年，昨天傳出在家中辭世。（翻攝自推特）
