According to Yonhap News, during the farewell ceremony held at the Seoul Asan Hospital funeral hall in Songpa-gu on June 24, Hong expressed, "I often wonder how I lived with such a wonderful singer. Even after 30 years together, I still see her in a more beautiful light."
He added, "To everyone else, Okhee was a very entertaining person. But to me, she was often a woman of few words. While she actively engaged with others, there were many days when she hardly spoke at home. You only understand that when you live together."
Hong continued, "I have come to think this way. I shed many tears, but if my wife goes to God and asks, 'What was your hit song?' I believe she would say, 'It’s 'Neighbor.' Then God would probably say, 'Bring her to the special room.' I believe she has gone to heaven."
In closing, he wished for the health of those gathered, stating, "I hope everyone here stays healthy. Even in small matters, let’s look out for each other so that no one suffers from health issues that lead to death."
Okhee debuted in May 1968 as the leader of the Seoul Sisters, a five-member group, and performed actively around the world, including in Hong Kong, the Middle East, the United States, and Canada. After returning to Korea, she launched her solo career in 1974 with the song 'I Don’t Know' and gained immense popularity with her hit 'Neighbor.' She passed away on June 20 after battling kidney cancer.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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