
Followers exit the KSPO Dome in Seoul’s Songpa District on Sunday after attending the „2024 Na Hoon-a: Thank You – Final Live performance.“ Following his retirement announcement in February final 12 months, Na has spent the previous 12 months bidding farewell to followers nationwide by way of his tour concert events. Yonhap
Legendary trot singer Na Hoon-a, throughout what he known as the ultimate efficiency of his music profession on Sunday night, delivered one other sharp critique of politicians. His feedback had been a response to criticism he confronted from politicians after remarks made at his Seoul live performance on Friday, the primary of a three-day farewell tour at Olympic Park’s KSPO Dome.
On Friday, Na had rebuked lawmakers from each the ruling and opposition events, saying, “The left is making a fuss, accusing the appropriate of being unsuitable. However have you ever [the left] performed any higher?” His remarks sparked sharp criticism, significantly from politicians.
At Sunday’s finale of his „2024 Na Hoon-ah: Thank You — Final Live performance,“ Na once more criticized lawmakers whereas performing his track “Empty.” In contrast to Friday, the place he centered on opposition lawmakers, this time, he additionally identified shortcomings within the ruling occasion.
“After what I mentioned on the primary night time, issues acquired noisy. An opposition lawmaker instructed me to close my mouth. In case you [the public] criticize me, I’ll settle for it, however I’ll by no means forgive them [politicians] for saying that. After I mentioned, ‘Have you ever performed any higher?’ it meant, ‘The precise hasn’t performed nice both, however have you ever [the left] performed any higher?’ And now they’re choosing fights over that.”
Na’s farewell live performance marked the top of his decades-long profession, abandoning a legacy as one among Korea’s most iconic singers.
The day gone by, South Jeolla Province Governor Kim Yung-rok rebuked Na’s remarks, saying, „Cease deflecting blame with false equivalencies and stirring societal unrest.“
Rep. Kim Gained-i of the opposition Democratic Occasion of Korea additionally mentioned, “After a lifetime of receiving a lot love whereas turning a blind eye to the world’s points, you need to have stored quiet as you exit the stage.”
In response, Na addressed the criticisms throughout Sunday’s live performance, saying, “To these lawmakers or governors criticizing me, hear fastidiously. Do your personal job correctly. How dare you disrespect an elder who’s talking his thoughts?”
Na, identified for his candidness, had beforehand known as on politicians from each events to prioritize public welfare, significantly within the economic system and nationwide protection. Throughout the remaining live performance, he prolonged his message, urging for concord between Korea’s jap and western areas.
“Historical past reveals that many countries, as soon as divided into east and west or north and south, finally turned one,” he mentioned. “From house, this tiny nation [Korea] is break up in half. Even throughout elections, one facet is pink, and the opposite is blue. If I had a 12 months, I’d go a regulation requiring candidates from Gyeongsang Province to run in Jeolla Province and vice versa. We should obtain unity. We can’t go away a divided nation to future generations.”

Na Hoon-a bids farewell to his singing profession, laying down the microphone after this remaining efficiency. Yonhap
Na additionally mirrored on his 58-year profession, symbolized by a photograph montage of Korea’s 11 presidents, from Park Chung-hee to Yoon Suk Yeol. “I’ve seen 11 presidents come and go, however I’m nonetheless right here,” he mentioned. “I used to be by no means on good phrases with any president. They’d summon me, and I’d ask, ‘Why ought to I’m going?’ In order that they stopped coping with me altogether.”
The farewell live performance marked the top of a nationwide tour that started in April following his retirement announcement in February. Na, now stepping away from music, shared plans for a quieter life. “I need to attempt issues I’ve by no means performed, eat meals I’ve by no means tasted, and go to locations I’ve by no means been. The factor I need to do most is get pleasure from makgeolli and bindaetteok on market days,” he mentioned.
Because the present concluded, Na knelt on stage to thank his followers, saying, “Placing down the microphone is the most effective determination I’ve ever made.”

Singer Na Hoon-a / Captured from KBS
This text from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Instances, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Instances.