Kim Dong-ryul Concludes ‘Walk‘ Concert Series, Reflecting on Legacy & โLoss Before Sold-Out Crowd
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Kim โคDong-ryul concluded a record-breaking concert series, “Walk,” before a sold-out audience of 70,000, markingโ his 32nd debut anniversary with a performance lauded for its musical depth, emotional resonance, and poignant tribute to aโ fallen friend. The seven-day run cemented Kim’s reputation forโ “luxury performances” and underscoredโค hisโ enduring influence in Korean popular music,even as aโข new generation of artists emerges.
While acknowledging the risingโข popularity of younger artists-some boasting fanbasesโค “100 million times” larger-Kim emphasized the unique value of his three decades ofโค connection with his audience. He reframed his โคcareer trajectory, stating he “shortened the four-year cycle to two years” to reach his 60th year,โ a testament to his prolific output and dedication. The concert wasn’t simply a retrospective, but a dynamic โคexploration ofโฃ his musical journey, โfeaturing unconventionalโข arrangements and collaborative performances.
The “Walk” concert showcased kim’s willingness to reimagine his catalog. he debuted a new arrangement of “The Person Next Door,” originally gifted to BoA, and led a rousing singalongโ of “Drunken Talk”โค withโ the entire audience. A special intermission featured โthe โ”Koh Sang-ji Quartet,” led by bandoneon player Ko Sang-ji,performing tango arrangements โof Kim’s songs,including “Graduation” โคand “Show.”
However, theโ emotional core of the evening lay in the encore. Kim selected “First Love” and “etudes of โmemory” as a tribute โto his longtime musicalโค companion,Seo Dong-wook,a โmemberโข of โฃthe โexhibition group who passed away late last year. “First Love” was the โคsong that initially brought Kim and Seoโ together to form the group. โขA photograph โฃof Seo Dong-wook accompanied a memorial message, “Sending off my beloved friend Dongwook,” displayed on the concert โคhall’s large screen. Theโ performance of “Etudes of Memory,” a cornerstone of Korean popular music, was particularly moving, with Kim performing alongside a โpianoโค accompaniment evoking thier shared musical history.
Kim Dong-ryul’s “Walk” โconcertโค series concluded after over two hours and thirty minutes, leaving audiences with a sense of warmth and comfort,โ and reaffirming his status โas a defining figure in Koreanโ music.