Kim Soo-cheol’s Heartfelt Tribute: How Ahn Sung-ki Changed His Life with Generous Support

Kim Soo-chul Shares Touching Memories of Late Ahn Sung-ki
Generous Support for Traditional Music Studies
“He Passed Without Knowing My Artistic Side”

Singer Kim Soo-chul opened up about the invaluable support he received from the late Ahn Sung-ki, becoming emotional as he recalled their final interactions. During the February 10 episode of KBS’s ‘Morning Yard – Tuesday Guest Interview,’ Kim was featured in a segment titled ‘Secrets of the Little Giant Revealed After 30 Years,’ where he showcased his lesser-known talent as a painter. Kim, known for his contributions to both pop and traditional Korean music, was visibly moved when his composition “Cheonnyeonhak” from the film “Seopyeonje” played. He candidly shared, “Studying traditional music doesn’t pay the bills. I needed to record my work but was strapped for cash.” Kim recounted, “I confided in Sung-ki about my financial struggles with my studies. Traditional music is far more expensive than pop and doesn’t generate much income. To my surprise, Sung-ki transferred a substantial amount the very next day, which funded my recording.”

Kim continued, “Years later, I found myself in a similar situation. This time, working with an orchestra made it even more costly.” He added, “Most people would question why I kept pursuing something unprofitable, but Sung-ki simply asked, ‘How much do you need?’ and transferred the funds again without hesitation.” Kim also reminisced about his college days, revealing that Ahn Sung-ki had recommended him for a role in the film “Whale Hunting.” “He pitched me as a ‘short, awkward kid.’ Interestingly, after the film, my song ‘A Flower That Didn’t Bloom’ unexpectedly gained popularity.” Source: KBS 1TV ‘Morning Yard’