Lee Mi-ja, the legendary South Korean singer known as the "Elegy Queen," has signaled her impending retirement after a remarkable 66-year career. At a press conference for her upcoming tribute concert, "Connecting the Pulse," held in Mapo-gu, Seoul, the 84-year-old artist hinted at her farewell, stating, "While I don't like the word 'retirement,' I can say that this will be my last."
"Connecting the Pulse," which is expected to be Lee Mi-ja's farewell performance, is scheduled to take place at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts on April 26th and 27th. "This will definitely be my last performance, and I will not be recording any more albums," Lee Mi-ja confirmed. "However, in the spirit of continuing the legacy of traditional Korean pop music, I may appear on television if there is an opportunity to offer advice. Therefore, I will not make a formal retirement declaration." She added, "I have decided to conclude my singing career quietly with this performance because there are those who can carry on the tradition of Korean pop music, and there is a production company that has made this performance possible."
The concert will feature special collaborative performances with fellow singers Joo Hyun-mi and Jo Hang-jo. Lee Mi-ja emphasized, "What I want to impart to my juniors about traditional Korean pop music is to sing properly, without rushing the beat, and to deliver the lyrics accurately so that the song resonates with the heart. That is the essence of our traditional pop music."
Debuting in 1959 with "Nineteen Pure Hearts," Lee Mi-ja has released over 2,500 songs, including numerous hits such as "Camellia Lady," "A Woman's Life," and "Island Village Teacher." In recognition of her contributions to Korean popular music, she was awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit in 2023, becoming the first popular musician to receive this honor.
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