“Haldambi” Ji Byung Soo, who gained great love through National Singing Contest, has passed away.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Ji Byung Soo, who became famous after dancing to singer Son Dam Bi’s song “Crazy” on KBS 1TV‘s National Singing Contest in 2019 and earned the nickname “Haldambi,” passed away from old age on October 30 at the National Medical Center, his acquaintance Song Dong Ho, CEO of Seungjin Toys, announced on the 17th. He was 82 years old.
The late Mr. Ji appeared in the Jongno District episode of National Singing Contest aired on March 24, 2019, where he won the Popularity Award for his performance of Son Dam Bi’s song “Crazy.” He was then affectionately nicknamed “Haldambi,” a contraction of “Grandfather Son Dam Bi.”
He appeared on KBS 2TV‘s Entertainment Weekly on March 29, 2019, and his official YouTube channel was launched on April 2 of the same year. On April 7, he was selected as a model for Lotte Home Shopping, and on April 16, he appeared in episode 13 of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block. On May 13, he was featured on KBS 1TV’s documentary series in the episode “Haldambi is Crazy.”
Song Dong Ho, whom he met through National Singing Contest, became his manager. With his support, in October 2019 he released a new song titled “Get Up.”
On January 23, 2020, he published a book titled “Haldambi, Life is Really Unpredictable.” He also participated as a ceremonial first pitcher at baseball games.
