Legendary vocalist Lim Jae Bum has stunned the public with an unexpected announcement of his retirement from the music industry.
According to industry insiders on January 4, Lim Jae Bum is set to appear as a guest on JTBC’s ‘Newsroom’ later today to discuss his future plans. Ahead of the broadcast, JTBC released a teaser report and preview video confirming that the artist used the interview to declare his retirement. In the preview, Lim Jae Bum is heard saying, "I intend to leave the stage for good following this 40th-anniversary tour."
Despite the weight of this announcement, his agency, Blue Seed Entertainment, has maintained silence and has yet to release an official statement regarding the singer's remarks.
Lim Jae Bum is a monumental figure in the history of Korean popular music, with a career defined by massive hits such as 'For You', 'Emergency', 'Confession', 'After This Night', and 'Love'. Having reached his 40th debut anniversary last year, he is currently in the middle of a nationwide tour titled 'I Am Lim Jae Bum'. He has major performances scheduled at the KSPO DOME in Seoul on January 17 and 18.
During a press meeting in September last year, Lim Jae Bum reflected on his four decades in music with a humble perspective. "I didn't realize time would pass so quickly. When I was younger, I think I sang with a bit of arrogance," he admitted. He emphasized his growing sense of duty, stating, "The more I sing, the more I feel I must pour my soul into it for the emotion to reach the audience." He also famously declined the label of "legend," stating that the title belonged only to icons like Patti Kim, Yoon Bok Hee, and Cho Yong Pil.
Despite the retirement news, Lim Jae Bum is still moving forward with his immediate musical releases. He is scheduled to drop 'Life Is A Drama', the third pre-release track for his 8th full-length album, on January 6 at 6:00 PM KST.
SEE ALSO: Former DIA member Jenny shares wedding photos with her husband
SHARE
