Korean Elvis Presley, Cha Joong Gwang, Dies at 75

Korean Elvis Presley, Cha Joong Gwang Dies at 75
(Photo : Naver)

South Korean entertainment industry lost an icon.

The Korean Elvis Presley, Cha Joong Gwang, passed away at 75, confirmed by reports.

The senior singer, who is well-known for "My Love Mina" and "Eternal My House," had been battling cancer. According to news, Joong Gwang was in the hospital in Jayang-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 27th where he finally held his last breath.

Recently, the Korean Elvis Presley suffered from bladder cancer and sepsis caused by heart failure. Cha Joong Gwang's most recent appearance was on the show was KBS 1TV's "Gayo Stage" in February of this year.

His remains are now at the funeral home located in room 202 at Konkuk University Hospital, and will be open on the 29th.

Born in 1945, Cha Joong Gwang began his career as a singer after the encouragements of his neighbors after a group activity at the Itaewon club in 1965. The late singer received early attention as he worked as the lead vocalist of the group, Key Voice, thus earning him the title of "Korea's Elvis Presley."

Cha Joong Gwang's other brothers worked as singers too. In the 1960s, the younger brother Cha Jung-Rak, a popular singer, and another brother, Cha Jung-Yong, also was into music. The late Cha Joong Gwang made his debut as a singer after his elder brother Cha Joong-Rak passed away, working as a baseball player at Sungkyunkwan University through Seongdong High School. 

Since then, Cha Joong Gwang has also served as a member of the group Gaze Andols in 1965, and officially debuted in 1969 with the song "My House for Eternal Life," which commemorates his brother.

The son of the Korean Elvis Presley, who is born into a music, is known as guitarist Cha Seung Woo. Cha was also active in No Brain and Monotones.

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