2013 has been a good year for K-pop. Fans enjoyed many debuts and much-awaited comebacks, solo projects, and non-music ventures. There were a lot of great K-dramas this year. Not to mention the real-life scandals were popcorn worthy as well.
But 2013 was also a bittersweet year for the people of the K-entertainment industry. There was a time when everyone was either getting engaged or getting married. It was a happy and exciting time. Yet, there was also a couple of weeks when that happiness was rocked with news of suicide and tragic deaths. We laughed, mourned, and cried with our idols as if they are our own family. It was a sad time for fans when we realized that oppa and/or unnie is truly off the market.
Here’s a look back at the sad and happy tears of 2013.
WEDDINGS
Min Sunye and James Park, 2013 January 26 at Lotte Hotel, Seoul
Wonder Girls‘ leader, Sunye, tied the knot with Korean-Canadian James Park during the first big wedding of the year.
The ceremony was attended by her JYP family, J.Y. Park, 2AM, Wonder Girls, as well as other friends in the industry, KARA, BADA, and SNSD. The couple decided to settle in Canada raising questions about the future of Wonder Girls.
Shortly after their star-studded wedding, they announced that they were expecting their first child. The honeymoon baby named Hailey was born 2013 October 16.
Baek Jiyoung and Jung Sukwon, 2013 June 2 at Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel, Seoul
These two prove that age is just a number. Baek Jiyoung is 9 years older than Jung Sukwon but their love brought them closer than anything.
Rumors went around that this was a shotgun wedding. It was but who cares? Weddings and babies are always good news. Unfortunately, the Baek Jiyoung suffered a miscarriage not long after announcing her pregnancy. Losing a child is painful but this couple showed strength and love and I’m sure that they will be blessed with a little one in the future.
Seo Taiji and Lee Eunsung, 2013 June 26
Sixteen years separate the ages of these two but like I said, age is just a number. This is Seo Taiji‘s second marriage. They have been dating for three years before deciding to get hitched in a private ceremony.
D’aw… aren’t they just the cutest?
Han Hyejin and Ki Sungyeung, 2013 July 1 at Coex Intercontinental Hotel, Seoul
This sports/entertainment power couple looks perfect but not everything was smooth sailing during the earlier parts of their relationship. They almost broke up once before. The pressures of their respective industries became too much to bear but if you love someone, you will fight to the end, right? And fight they did.
Han Hyejin has since left Healing Camp and is now enjoying married life in England where his football player husband is on loan with Sunderland Association Football Club.
Lee Byunghun and Lee Minjung, 2013 August 10 at Grand Hyatt Hotel, Seoul
Ah, yes. The Wedding of the Year of South Korean entertainment. A lot of lady hearts were broken that day, including mine, but it was also a beautiful day. No one was prettier than Lee Minjung that day and Lee Byunghun couldn’t have been more dapper.
The guest list was so bright and shiny, it rivaled that of an awards show. Too many beautiful people in one place celebrating a new start between two gorgeous people.
Lee Hyori and Lee Sangsoon, 2013 September 1 at Jeju Island
Speaking of gorgeous… everybody’s favorite pretty unnie is well and truly off the market. After weeks of “will they or won’t they”, Hyori shares her candid wedding photos out of the blue.
I’ve always loved the song Someone to Watch Over Me. There is a line that goes, “He may not be the man some girls think of as handsome,” and I admit, Lee Sangsoon isn’t particularly my type. But I’m sure Hyori is singing this with all of her being, “To my heart, he carries the key.”
Lee Boyoung and Ji Sung, 2013 September 27 at Aston House, Seoul
Can you find a more attractive couple? Their wedding theme was “Little Prince and the Rose”. Ji Sung definitely looks like a prince that is much in love with his Rose.
JYP and his non-celebrity girlfriend, 2013 October 10
True story, he shares a wedding anniversary with my parents! 
This is the second marriage for the CEO of JYP. Having just released new solo material, he managed to keep his wedding plans a secret from everybody. His now wife lives a normal life, away from the flash of the cameras and looks like he wants to keep it that way. Best of luck to the newlyweds!
SM Culture and Contents (SM C&C) + Woollim Entertainment = Woollim Label, 2013 August
Okay, it’s more like a merger than an actual wedding but it’s close enough. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved. Woollim artists get more funding and exposure thanks to the muscle that is SM while SM introduces more variety into their roster.
YG Entertainment + CJeS = ???
Well, they say it’s no big deal. But when the big wigs from two companies meet up, there’s got to be tongues a-wagging. Especially when two YG Family members suddenly transfer to CJeS around the time of this “meeting”. Tablo‘s wife, Kang Hyejung, and Gummy are now with CJeS.
If this were true, then this can cause major buzz in the K-entertainment industry. I’m pretty sure fangirls will give anything for a Big Bang + JYJ collaboration. CJeS also manages a couple of great actors. YG can use an acting department since some of their artists already have blossoming acting careers.
And those were the happy tears. These people started a new chapter in their lives. Now, let us remember those whose lives ended in 2013.
FUNERALS
Jo Hyungil, 1964/1965-2013 January 2
Jo Hyungil was the producer of the dramas Iris, Athena, and the movie 71: Into the Fire. His body was found in his car on 2013 January 2. Police say that he most likely suffered from hypothermia for being under extreme cold for an extended period of time. He was 48 years old.
Lim Yoontaek, 1980 November 15 – 2013 February 11
Ulala Session leader Lim Yoontaek bravely battled Stage 4 stomach cancer. He lost his battle on 2013 February 11 with his wife, daughter, and other members around him. He was 32 years old. Lim Yoontaek was gone too soon. Who knows what more he could have done.
Sung Inkyu, 1988 November 18 – 2013 February 22
This shook me hard. I am just two months older than former A’st1 member, Sung Inkyu. He didn’t even live long enough to be 25. He began his battle with thymus cancer in 2011. He put on a brave face by posting pictures online while getting treatment. In his short life – and even shorter idol career – I’m sure he touched so many hearts and he didn’t only bring hope to those who want to break into the industry, he also showed them a face of a fighter.
Lee Seungyeon, 1958/1959 – 20 May 2013
The former CEO of Stardom agency took his own life amidst the lawsuit and controversy involving Block B. He was 54. Was this an admission of guilt? A cop out? Suicide is a taboo topic and to some, an act of cowardice. However, a death is still a sad thing. Whatever his reasons were, we will never know.
Byun Du Seob, 1958/1959 -4 June 2013
Another CEO dies at 54. But instead of committing suicide, reports say that the Yedang CEO died of exhaustion.
Boss, 2008 July 12 – 2013 June 10
We know how much Taeyang loves Boss, right? It was a good and happy 5 years with his beloved pet. It was a rough time when Boss passed away. Together with G-Dragon’s Gaho, Boss was a big part of the Big Bang family. We have Homie now but Boss will always be in our VIP hearts.
Kim Jong Hak, 1951 November 5 – 2013 July 23
Suicide claims another life in South Korea. Kim Jonghak was known for his work on the K-dramas Faith and Sandglass. He was in the middle of a scandal, and like the former Stardom CEO, he took his own life instead of facing it head on. He was 61 and his official cause of death was carbon monoxide poisoning.
Rottyful Sky, 1988 March 22 – 2013 October 8
Oh god, another beautiful soul… gone too soon. Rottyful Sky aka Kim Haneul died of complications from a brain tumor at age 25. Under the name Alice Sky, she wrote Kahi‘s comeback song, It’s Me. I remember listening – and loving – her song Get Away. May she sing and write songs with the angels.
2013 was definitely filled with ups and downs. Weddings are new beginnings while deaths signify the end of something. But as Gandalf said, “the journey doesn’t end here. Death is just another path… One that we all must take.” Their journeys continue on through our memories, our hearts. Lets not forget their music and how they touched our lives even for a little while.
(Last K-pop, Tenasia, MWAVE, Vingle)
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