Maps of Music

Kim Kwang-seok 3rd Song Collection (1992)

Where the lyrics of Kim Kwang-seok 3rd Song Collection take you, and where it was really made.

Its title is only the artist's name and a number, yet the songs on this 1992 folk album became some of his best-known work.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

Kim first became known through the student folk band Noraereul Channeun Saramdeul and the group Dongmulwon
His first solo album came out in October 1989
Two more albums followed in 1991 and 1992
Earlier songs such as 〈외사랑〉 continue the flow of his previous work
Leaned more toward rock than his earlier folk-ballad style
The self-confessional 〈나의 노래〉 highlighted him as a folk rock singer
Hit songs of that period included 'Love Has Gone' (사랑했지만) and 'Song of My Life' (나의 노래)
He built his fame through concerts rather than TV music shows

Kim Kwang-seok (1964–1996) was a South Korean folk rock singer.
He debuted in 1987 as a member of the activist folk band Noraereul Channeun Saramdeul.
In 1988 he formed the folk rock band Dongmulwon with other student musicians.

He released his first solo album in October 1989, and his next two albums followed in 1991 and 1992.
He became famous through concerts rather than TV music shows, and held a thousand concerts by August 1995.
He preferred small theatres, setting a trend of concerts around Daehangno in Seoul.
He sold over 5 million records, an impressive number for a South Korean musical artist.

His songs portrayed individuals' sorrow and frustration during Korea's early democracy.
He died by suicide on January 6, 1996; his family alleged murder, but the claims were unsubstantiated.
Tribute concerts are held annually, and a memorial relief sculpture was unveiled in 2008.

Released 20 March 1992 by King Records and Seoul Eumban
Third regular album by Kim Kwang-seok, described as folk and folk rock
Korean sources describe the record as showing musical maturity and a lyrical sensibility
The album came after his 1989 solo debut and the 1991 and 1992 releases that built his solo career
It marked a step toward a stronger rock tendency than his earlier folk ballads

Cited as one of Kim's representative works
The folk sensibility running through the whole album and its consistent structure were said to maximize his distinctive emotion
Received favorable reviews from both the general public and critics
〈잊어야 한다는 마음으로〉 is regarded as the song that symbolizes Kim
〈나의 노래〉 is also cited among his representative songs
The album is seen as the point where Kim's identity as a folk rock singer became clearer

The album's sound was built with session players from the Jo Dong-ik band.
Kim first came to fame through group work in Noraereul Channeun Saramdeul and Dongmulwon, before his first solo album in 1989.
Unlike many entertainers of the time, Kim built his fame through concerts rather than TV music shows.
〈잊어야 한다는 마음으로〉 is regarded as the song most closely tied to Kim's image.