Music critic Lee Baek-cheon passes away at 93

Renowned music critic and producer Lee Baek-cheon passed away on the 21st at the age of 93. A central figure in the development of Korean folk music during the 1960s and 1970s, he was widely regarded as a mentor to the first generation of folk artists.

Lee began his career in broadcasting after joining TBC (Dongyang Broadcasting) as a producer in 1964. He was deeply connected to the iconic music lounge ‘C’est Si Bon’ in Mugyo-dong, where he hosted programs such as ‘College Students’ Night.’ Following the closure of C’est Si Bon, he established ‘Cheonggaeguri House’ at the Myeongdong YWCA in 1970, providing a stage for influential folk singers including Kim Min-gi, Yang Hee-eun, and Seo Yoo-seok.

Throughout his career, Lee served as a cultural expert for the 1988 Seoul Olympics and the Daejeon Expo, a KBS viewer committee member, and an advisor for the Korea Folk Singer Association. He also authored the book ‘Lee Baek-cheon’s Music Journey’ in 2014. Singer Cho Young-nam memorialized him as the ‘leader of the Korean folk scene.’