[EPN Enpinow reporter Go Nari] Han Chun-geun, the drummer for Baekdusan who helped lay the groundwork for Korean heavy metal, died at his home on April 1. He was 71 and had been battling a long-term illness.
News of his passing prompted an outpouring of condolences from fellow musicians and fans. Bandmates Yu Hyun-sang and Kim Do-kyun were expected to visit the funeral hall that evening to pay their respects.
Born in Namwon, North Jeolla Province, in 1955, Han began his career as a session guitarist performing for the U.S. Eighth Army. At the urging of senior musicians, he switched to drums and committed to a full-time career behind the kit. Alongside Yu and Kim, he guided Baekdusan through its peak years with a powerful sound and commanding stage presence.
Han's explosive playing helped propel the development of Korean heavy metal. Formed in the mid-1980s, Baekdusan became an emblematic act in South Korea's rock scene. Even when the genre had limited mainstream support, the band earned praise for both its musicianship and theatrical live performances.
He is survived by a daughter. The family has set up a wake at Dongshin Hospital's funeral hall in Seoul. The funeral will be held on April 3, and the family selected the Seoul Municipal Crematorium as his final resting place.
Despite long gaps in activity, Baekdusan repeatedly returned to the stage and is widely credited with preserving Korean heavy metal's identity. Tributes continue to pour in as the music community honors his legacy.
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