ABSTRACT
As popular music became a cultural phenomenon in Korea in the 1930s, many composers, singers, and producers emerged and some are now regarded as pioneers of Korean popular music. Thus, a considerable number of musicians represent the early twentieth-century popular music of Korea. However, popular musicians who not only possessed talent but individual creativity are rare. Kim Hae-song (1910-1950), the subject of this chapter, led a fascinating career, together with fans who enjoyed the wide range of his style. Kim’s life was brief, but his influence still astonishes contemporary researchers.
