Kim Sung-jae (Korean: 김성재; Hanja: 金成宰; April 18, 1972 – November 20, 1995) was a South Korean singer, rapper, dancer, and model, best known as a member of Deux, an influential early K-pop and Korean hip hop group that rose to fame in the early 1990s.[1][2] Sungjae died of an apparent murder in 1995 at the age of 23. His girlfriend, only identified as Miss Kim, was convicted of his murder and sentenced to life in prison but was later acquitted on appeal.[3] In 2019, Sungjae's girlfriend filed multiple injunctions to block SBS's investigative program, I Want To Know, from airing an episode covering Sungjae's death.[4]
Kim Sung-jae | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Kim Sung Jae |
| Born | April 18, 1972 Seoul, South Korea |
| Died | November 20, 1995 (aged 23) Seoul, South Korea |
| Genres | K-pop, Korean hip hop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, rapper, dancer, model |
| Years active | 1990–1995 |
| Formerly of | Deux |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 김성재 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Gim Seong-jae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Kim Sŏngchae |
Death
editSeveral months after Deux broke up, SungJae released his debut solo album, As I Told You, on November 19, 1995.[2] He performed the album's title track the same day on an SBS music program and then returned to his hotel room with his girlfriend and members of his entourage. He was found dead in his hotel room the next day, and police ruled the cause of death a heart attack caused by karoshi, or overworking.[1] However, 28 needle marks were later discovered on his right arm, and an autopsy found traces of an animal anesthetic in his body.[5][unreliable source?] Sungjae's girlfriend was convicted for his murder and sentenced to life in prison, but was later acquitted due to "lack of evidence."[6]
Aftermath
editIn 2019, Sungjae's girlfriend filed multiple injunctions to block SBS from airing an episode regarding Sungjae's death on the investigative program, I Want To Know.[4]
On September 7, 2022, a virtual avatar of Kim Sung-jae was unveiled by Persona Space and Galaxy Corporation, performing "As I Told You" with Sungjae's mother and brother in attendance.[7]
Discography
editWith Deux
editSolo album: 김성재 (Kim Sung-jae), (1995)
editSource:[8]
- Intro 0:59
- 말하자면 (As I Told You) 3:35 Title Track
- 마지막 노래를 들어줘 3:53
- 작지만 큰 행복 3:41
- 더 이상은 3:17
- 너의 생일 3:31
- 도전! 3:13
- Let's Dance 3:28
- 봄을 기다리며 3:33
- 염세주의자 3:17
- Hip Hop 정신 (精神) (Feat. 이현도) 5:07
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Mun, Gap-sik (2009-01-17). "[Why] 14년만에 다시 쓰는 '듀스' 김성재 살인사건…". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
- ^ a b "김성재". Mnet (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2016-06-24. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
- ^ Choe, Seung-hyeon (2009-02-27). "[故 김성재 추모 특집] 전설의 뮤지션, 신묘한 댄서, 우리는 지금도 그를 원한다". The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
- ^ a b "Episode of 'I Want To Know' regarding Kim Sung Jae's death blocked from airing". Allkpop. 2019-12-20. Archived from the original on 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
- ^ "Way Back Wednesday : Originators of Swag in K-pop, Deux". Allkpop. 2012-06-13. Archived from the original on 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
- ^ Jeong Hyeon-su (정현수) (2009-02-18). 광고모델로 부활한 듀스 김성재 사연 (in Korean). Money Today. Archived from the original on 2021-11-30. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
- ^ "故 김성재,27년만에 가족과 재회.."아이들의 꿈을 응원하는 게 내 꿈"[SS현장]" (in Korean). September 7, 2022. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "김성재". Melon (in Korean). Archived from the original on 2021-07-19. Retrieved 2021-07-18.
External links
edit- Kim Sung-jae at IMDb
