2024 was the year when Lee Moon-sae showed the depth of a true adult through music, stage, and insight into life. He was a role model for junior artists and fully demonstrated his maestro status as a constant musical companion to the public.

Lee Moon-sae, who completed his sabbatical year, met the audience again in March of this year with the nationwide tour ‘Theater Lee Moon-sae Season 4’. This tour, which sold out all tickets in all regions and received much love, garnered attention for its stage that maximized the harmony of digital and analog and its sophisticated directing. The best production team in Korea and the Lee Moon-sae Band, who have worked together for over 10 years, came together to set a new standard for theater-style concerts. Amidst the continued sell-out fever, the tour was extended until 2025, and plans for a global tour spanning North America and Oceania were announced, once again demonstrating his prowess as a master of the performing arts.

Lee Moon-sae then garnered attention by returning to radio after 13 years to repay the love he received as a DJ in the past. MBC Standard FM‘s ‘Hello, This is Lee Moon-sae’, which began airing on June 3, is currently enjoying great success with listeners thanks to Lee Moon-sae’s signature warm speech and delicate song selections.

In October, Lee Moon-sae was recognized for his contributions to the development of popular culture by receiving the Ok-gwan Cultural Medal at the Republic of Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. ‘Girl’, sung instead of an acceptance speech, moved the audience with a message promising eternal companionship.

Lee Moon-sae also pre-released two new songs, raising expectations for his 17th full-length album scheduled for release next year. ‘Love Even in Breakup’, a song that contains the multi-layered meaning of breakup, was well-received as a delicate and luxurious ballad in the style of Lee Moon-sae. ‘My Blues’, a song he wrote and composed himself, contains honest emotions felt between daily life and the stage. ‘Warm is better than hot’, released last year, garnered sympathy with its message of warmth and comfort.

In addition, Lee Moon-sae donated 200 million won to children around the world on ‘World Children‘s Day’ on November 20th, putting into practice the philosophy of sharing that he has continued for 40 years since his debut. Since his debut, Lee Moon-sae has been continuously engaged in donation activities to help people in difficult situations at home and abroad, such as helping patients with muscular dystrophy, building schools in Nepal, helping comfort women, helping the elderly who live alone, and helping children in Africa. He has also been a role model for many by consistently hosting the charity concert, ‘Lee Moon-sae’s Forest Concert’, for over 20 years.

In 2025, Lee Moon-sae plans to successfully continue ‘Theater Lee Moon-sae Season 4’ while also gearing up for his 17th regular album, once again proving his passion and dedication for music and the stage.

Jeon Hyo-jin, Donga.com Reporter jhj@donga.com