Singer Lee Mi-ja announces retirement after 66 years

By KTimes

Singer Lee Mi-ja has announced her retirement, saying that she will conclude her 66-year career with a special tribute concert dedicated to traditional Korean music.

Lee Mi-ja held a press conference on Wednesday at Stanford Hotel in Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul, to discuss the upcoming tribute performance, "Carrying on the legacy of traditional Korean music."

Scheduled for April 26 and 27 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Jongno District, Seoul, the event will be a tribute to Korea’s traditional music rather than a conventional trot performance. Lee Mi-ja, proud to be known as a "traditional Korean music singer" rather than a "trot singer," will share the stage with younger artists who will carry on the genre’s legacy.

"Carrying on the legacy of traditional Korean music" will feature live renditions of Lee Mi-ja’s most iconic songs from her 66-year career. Reflecting on her journey, she hopes to revisit the emotions she has shared with audiences through the decades.

During the press conference, Lee Mi-ja acknowledged the frequent use of the word "retirement" in the entertainment industry but admitted she had long avoided it.

"I never liked the word ‘retirement.’ I always felt it was too hasty to declare an end to my career," she said. "But now, I believe I can say with certainty that this will be my final performance."

She also expressed her lifelong commitment to preserving traditional Korean music. "I have always focused on ensuring that our traditional songs are not forgotten. However, at this stage, I have reached a point where I can no longer continue that research," she said. "Thanks to this tribute concert, I was able to carefully select talented younger artists who will inherit the legacy of traditional Korean music. I felt a sense of fulfillment, realizing that this goal has finally been achieved. Just as I was thinking, ‘I can no longer stand on stage,’ this concert became the perfect way to pass on the torch. I have prepared wholeheartedly for this performance, knowing it will be my last."

Lee Mi-ja reiterated that she prefers the term "final performance" over "retirement." When asked if this concert would indeed be her last, she responded, "I have always believed that when I could no longer sing, I should quietly step away. Now that this concert will continue the legacy of traditional Korean music, I feel at peace knowing I can conclude my career with this event."

She confirmed that this would be her final activity as a singer.

"This performance is undoubtedly my last. I will no longer record new songs," she said. "However, I am not completely stepping away from music. If I have the opportunity to offer guidance through television or newspapers, I may still do so. But in terms of concerts or recordings, I can say with certainty that this is the end."

Meanwhile, Lee Mi-ja’s tribute concert, "Carrying on the legacy of traditional Korean music," will take place on April 26 and 27 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.