Korean Reading Practice

한달음에 달려온 조용필, 60년 지기 안성기에 “또 만나자”

📅 January 06, 2026

1Introduction

This reading explores the touching story of legendary Korean singer Cho Yong-pil paying his final respects to his lifelong friend, actor Ahn Sung-ki. Their friendship, spanning over 60 years since middle school, represents one of Korea’s most enduring celebrity friendships that transcended the entertainment industry.

2Vocabulary

Korean Romanization Meaning Example
가왕 gawang king of singers 조용필은 한국의 가왕이라고 불린다.Cho Yong-pil is called the king of singers in Korea.
빈소 binso funeral parlor/wake room 많은 사람들이 빈소를 찾아 조문했다.Many people visited the funeral parlor to pay their respects.
조문 jomun paying condolences 친구의 장례식에 조문을 갔다.I went to pay condolences at my friend’s funeral.
동창 dongchang classmate/school friend 우리는 중학교 동창이다.We are middle school classmates.
우정 ujeong friendship 그들의 우정은 평생 지속되었다.Their friendship lasted a lifetime.
추모 chumo commemoration/mourning 고인을 추모하는 행사가 열렸다.A commemorative event for the deceased was held.
작별 jakbyeol farewell/parting 공항에서 작별 인사를 했다.We said farewell at the airport.
깜짝 kkamjjak surprise/sudden 깜짝 출연으로 관객들을 놀라게 했다.The surprise appearance amazed the audience.
듀엣 dyuet duet 두 가수가 듀엣으로 노래를 불렀다.The two singers performed a duet.
릴레이 rillei relay 릴레이 인터뷰가 계속되었다.The relay interview continued.
주자 juja runner/participant 그는 첫 번째 주자로 나섰다.He stepped up as the first participant.
아쉬움 aswium regret/disappointment 헤어질 때 아쉬움이 컸다.There was great regret when parting.

3Reading Text

한국의 가왕 조용필이 60년 지기 친구인 배우 안성기의 마지막 길을 배웅했다.

Korea’s king of singers, Cho Yong-pil, bid farewell to his 60-year friend, actor Ahn Sung-ki, on his final journey.

5일 서울 서초구 서울성모병원 장례식장에서 조용필은 안성기의 빈소를 찾아 조문했다.

On the 5th, at Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital funeral hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul, Cho Yong-pil visited Ahn Sung-ki’s wake to pay his respects.

두 사람은 중학교 때부터 같은 반 동창으로 만나 평생에 걸친 우정을 나누었다.

The two met as classmates in the same middle school class and shared a lifelong friendship.

안성기는 1997년 KBS ‘빅쇼’에서 조용필과 함께 깜짝 듀엣 무대를 선보였다.

Ahn Sung-ki performed a surprise duet stage with Cho Yong-pil on KBS’s ‘Big Show’ in 1997.

2018년 조용필의 50주년 기념 행사에서는 릴레이 인터뷰의 첫 번째 주자로 나서기도 했다.

In 2018, he also participated as the first runner in a relay interview for Cho Yong-pil’s 50th anniversary celebration.

당시 안성기는 “어렸을 때부터 정말 좋은 친구였다”며 추억을 회상했다.

At that time, Ahn Sung-ki recalled memories, saying “He was a really good friend since we were young.”

조용필은 빈소에서 “너무 아쉬워하지 말고 편안히 가기를 바란다”고 마지막 인사를 전했다.

At the wake, Cho Yong-pil conveyed his final farewell, saying “Don’t feel too much regret and I hope you go peacefully.”

이들의 우정은 연예계에서 보기 드문 진정한 동창 관계의 모범을 보여주었다.

Their friendship showed a rare example of genuine classmate relationships in the entertainment industry.

4Comprehension Questions

Q1
How long had Cho Yong-pil and Ahn Sung-ki been friends?
Q2
Where did the two friends first meet and become acquainted?
Q3
What special performance did they do together on KBS in 1997?
Q4
What role did Ahn Sung-ki play in Cho Yong-pil’s 50th anniversary celebration?
Q5
What final message did Cho Yong-pil share at the funeral parlor?

5Cultural Notes

In Korean culture, maintaining friendships from school days throughout one’s entire life is considered extremely valuable and represents loyalty and sincerity. The entertainment industry often makes such lasting relationships difficult due to competition and busy schedules, making the 60-year friendship between these two celebrities particularly remarkable. Cho Yong-pil, known as the “King of Singers,” has been a dominant figure in Korean popular music since the 1970s and represents an era when Korean entertainment was establishing its modern identity.

Source: Naver News |
Original Article

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