Pop Legend Patti Kim to Hold 50th Anniv. Concert

Patti Kim’s passion for music comes to life on the 50th anniversary of her debut.
The proud living legend of Korean pop music will hold the commemorative concert "The Dream Journey of 50 Years, Cantabile" at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts from April 30 to May 2.

The concert venue is reminiscent of the hotel Westin Chosun, where in the early days she was a resident singer and helped her career advance to the world. A glimpse of the actual concert encompassing her half-century of musical life will be unveiled in advance. The mega-scale concert will be a festive gala not only for Kim but also for all of Korean popular music.


Thorough Self Management

Over the years, Kim recorded numerous hit songs and repertoires. She was the first to hold a recital in the country and the first Korean to sing at NHK--officially invited by the Japanese government--and also the first Korean to perform at Carnegie Hall. She successfully held a world tour, which pop idol Rain has yet to achieve, in the 1980s. Always in pursuit of change, she has established her own unique extensive musical style that goes beyond pop and trot. She never rests on her laurels. She constantly adds new elements and expands her field, which enabled her long stay at the top. She is famous for managing herself most thoroughly. She doesn't drink, smoke or work overnight. From her late 30s, she continued to exercise over an hour every day as she always graces the stage with a dress outlining her body’s silhouette.

But the strong and confident Kim also had her tough years. She married composer Gil Ok-yoon in 1966 but they divorced in 1972. The time she went off to the US amid rumors that she had had an extramarital affair was probably the most difficult period for her. But she overcame it all through music. She met her current Italian husband in 1976. He loves her songs and is most understanding of his singer wife. They have a loving family with two daughters.

Kim believes she was born to sing. She never regretted her career choice. There were depressing times when she wanted to leave Korea but she never wanted to give up singing.


Anniv. Album Includes New Songs after 10 Year Break

The 50th anniversary album to come out this year is her first ever 'remake' album. Others' songs that she enjoys and some of her own hits were remade, re-sung and recreated. The album also includes a new Patti song.

Kim was recently named honorary chairwoman of the Korea Singers Association. When asked to give advice to young singers, she said, "More than anything else, a singer must sing well and be sincere on stage. Music these days has become a commercial product. We should sing as if it's fate, but people today are bent on popularity and making money.”

But she plans to help younger singers as much as she can. Kim has realized her dream to make Korean history with pride, and her passion continues on.