Lim Jae Beom, widely regarded as the "God of Vocals" in Korea, has officially announced his retirement. On January 4, he confirmed the news through a heartfelt video letter on his YouTube channel and a live appearance on JTBC's 'Newsroom'.
For international fans who might not know him by name, he is the original singer of "For You" (Neo-reul Wi-hae), a legendary ballad frequently covered by K-pop idols like EXO's Chen and JK of BTS. He is famous for his deep, husky voice and emotional delivery.
During his interview on 'Newsroom', he explained his decision to leave the stage after his ongoing 40th Anniversary National Tour. He cited the old saying, "Leave when they are applauding," stating that he wanted to step down while he could still pour his entire soul into his performance, rather than fading away when he could no longer sing his best. In his written letter, he confessed, "My heart is still burning when I stand on stage, but I had to admit that the physical abilities I possess are leaving my hands one by one."
He expressed deep concern for his fans who might be shocked by the news. Holding back tears, he reassured them, saying, "Even if I leave the stage, I will still be breathing in this world with you, so please don't be too sad."
He also made a touching request for his final Seoul concerts on January 17 and 18. He asked the audience to sing his song "Greeting" (Insa) back to him. He explained, "It was originally a song I sang for my fans, but now that I am leaving, I would love for you to sing it to me as a farewell."
Before his final curtain call, he will release a pre-release track titled "Life is a drama" on January 6.
Watch: The Hidden Singer 4 - Lim Jae Beom episode
For those who want to experience the power of his voice, here is a compilation from his legendary appearance on 'Hidden Singer 4.' This video features live performances of his greatest hits, including "Scars Deeper Than Love," "Confession," and "For You," proving why he is considered the master of emotional vocals.
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