We’re back with another K-Music Time Capsule! This time we’re going all the way back to 1994, and listening to an absolute legend of Korean folk rock. Of course, I’m talking about none other than Kim Kwang Seok (or Gwang Seok, depending on the romanization). The song is ‘Love that hurts too much is not love’, and I picked it simply because it’s a personal favourite.
Kim Kwang Seok
Trying to go over Kim Kwang Seok’s career in a couple of lines and do him justice is probably impossible, so I will settle for this summary. Born in 1964 in Daegu, he went on to become one of the most influential figures in Korean music, despite only being active for a few short years (1984- 1996). The sound of his voice and his guitar helped define an entire generation. He started his singing career as a member of the group ‘People who Seek Music‘ in their second album. Later he briefly joined the band Dongmulwon (Zoo), before going solo in 1989.
Perhaps even more than his original songs, Kim was so influential because of the songs he covered; songs of the 70s and 80s, of a social, cultural and political revolution. Some of his most famous tracks, such as ‘A Letter from a Private‘ or ‘As Dust‘, were in fact covers – but his version has long become the one, immortal, definitive rendition.
His career came to an abrupt end with his death in 1996. He appeared to have had committed suicide in his home, and even though there’s been a lot of speculation regarding foul play. From what I’ve read, I’ve gotten the impression that his wife is hated on par with Yoko or Courtney Love in Korea.
The song
‘Love that hurts too much is not love’ is a song from his 4th solo album, simply titled ‘Kim Kwang Seok 4th’, released in 1994. Kim composed the song, but the lyrics were a poem by Ruy Geun. Admittedly, ‘Around Thirty‘ from the same album is probably considered his most representative and famous song. But considering how he died shortly after his 32nd birthday, I find it too depressing.
It’s a simple, heartbreaking ballad about lost love. Kim’s emotive voice paints a powerful picture, and I can’t help but tear up listening to it. The song was also later included in the soundtrack of the 2003 movie ‘The Classic’.
The video below is Kim performing the song live. Sit back, and enjoy.
‘As I completely let go of you and stared at the setting stars,
unspoken words and this painful love flowed out of my eyes’
