Hahn Dae-soo

Singer and songwriter Hahn Dae-soo – born in Busan, South Korea on March 12, 1948 – is acknowledged as a pioneer of hippie culture in South Korea and has been referred to as that country’s ‘master of folk rock.’ Moving with his family to New York City in 1958 and attended school there. Although he did move back to South Korea for several years during his junior high school years, he returned to the US, where he graduated from high school. Interested in music, he initially pursued careers in veterinary medicine and photography before returning to South Korea and performing in local folk clubs. After serving time in the military, Hahn Dae-soo released his debut album, Long Long Road, in 1974, which was followed by Rubber Shoes (1975). Lyrically, the albums were anti-government and were eventually banned in South Korea and he was exiled to New York City. While living in America, his two albums became iconic albums in K-Pop history. Continuing his musical career while living in America, he formed post-punk band Genghis Khan, who recorded several songs but never released any music during their lifetime. When musical prospects began to dry up, he fell back on his original plans as a career in photography. He returned to music in 1989 with the release of the album Infinity. The album was well received and was followed by Loss of Memory with the Jack Lee Band (1990), Angels Talkin’ (1991), Age of Reason, Age of Treason (1999), Eternal Sorrow (2000), Source of Trouble (2002), The Hurt (2004), and 2001 Live (2005) before the release of the career-spanning 14 disc set The Box (2005). Hahn Dae-soo has continued to be active in music and politics.

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