Maps of Music

Kim Kwang-Seok Fourth (1994)

Where the lyrics of Kim Kwang-Seok Fourth take you, and where it was really made.

Kim Kwang-seok's last regular album before his death in 1996 was built from his own songs and new songs by contemporary composers.

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 Kwang-Seok Fourth: the fourth and final eponymous studio album by South Korean singer-songwriter Kim Kwang-seok
Released 25 June 1994 by King Records
The last regular album Kim Kwang-seok released during his lifetime
Kim died on 6 January 1996, after this record came out
Key songs include "Around Thirty", "Wake Up", "Where the Wind Blows" and "Love That Hurts Too Much Is Not Love"

Mid-1990s: a representative work that led the revival of folk music in Korean popular music
Before this album, Kim reinterpreted existing songs in the Sing Again (Dasi Bureugi) series
That series won him broad popular support at the time
This album combined his own songs with new songs by contemporary composers
Themes: the anguish of life, the emptiness of youth, the sadness of parting and a message of hope
"Around Thirty" pairs autobiographical lyrics by Kang Seung-won with Kim's calm singing style
The song drew wide public sympathy in its time
"Love That Hurts Too Much Is Not Love" is based on a poem by the poet Ryu Geun

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.

Critics and the public both praised the album after its release
Chosun Ilbo called it the intellectual essence of 1990s Korean popular music, citing the refined harmony of lyrics and music
The album came out on King Records in June 1994

Kyunghyang Shinmun wrote that this was the moment Kim Kwang-seok's voice reached listeners most beautifully and earnestly
The paper selected the album in its list of 100 essential Korean popular music albums
The album is described as one of the representative works that led the revival of folk music in mid-1990s Korean popular music
Kim reinterpreted existing songs in the Sing Again series before this album, which had already earned him wide public support

Kyunghyang Shinmun list of 100 essential Korean popular music albums: ranked 74th
The album was Kim Kwang-seok's last regular album released during his lifetime

The album is the last regular album Kim Kwang-seok released before his death in 1996.
"Love That Hurts Too Much Is Not Love" is based on a poem by the poet Ryu Geun.
"Around Thirty" uses autobiographical lyrics written by Kang Seung-won.
Kim played melodica and harmonica himself on this album.
The album was released at a time when Korean folk music was being revived.