In 2011, Lim Yoon Taek’s talented group, “Ulala Session” surprised and moved countless fans and viewers with their talented and explosive vocal skills, flashy performances, heartfelt stories, and great humour. Just Lim Yoon Taek alone was a great performer, artiste, and leader. The group went on to emerge as winners of Mnet’s “Super Star K3”.
The 32-year-old went on to tie the knot with hair designer, Lee Hyerim in August 2012 and became the proud father of a baby girl. In fact, he announced that he was just about to celebrate his daughter’s 100th day when he tweeted:
My wife asked me out of the blue if I knew what day January 14 was. I, without hesitation, stated that it was our daughter’s 100th day since being born. She was a bit shocked that I knew. Who does she think I am? I am a wonderful father. I’ve already looked at about 3 places where we can eat for her 100th day!
However, just hours ago, his agency released an official statement which stated that Lim Yoon Taek had passed away:
Leader Lim Yoon Taek has passed away while he was with his family and the other Ulala Session members. Lim Yoon Taek, who was struggling with fourth stage stomach cancer, has passed away at 8:42 PM on February 11 at the Severance Hospital in Seoul when he was with his family and friends. He did not leave a will and is survived by his wife Lee Hye Rim and daughter Im Ri Dan.
Fellow K-Pop icons have since reacted to the news of Lim Yoon Taek’s death with tweets of condolences and expressions of sadness. K-Pop idol boy group 2AM’s Jo Kwon tweeted, “I won’t forget your passion on stage. Rest in peace. My condolences to Lim Yoon Taek, who was a beautiful performer.” while member Seulong tweeted, “I’ve never met you and I don’t really know you but after hearing this news, my heart aches so much. I won’t ever forget your overflowing energy on stage. My condolences to you.”
“Super Star K2” winner Huh Gak also expressed his thoughts via Twitter when he posted, “Lim Yoon Taek hyung, God will protect you in a place where there is no pain. My condolences to you.”
[youtube id=”5EJ9FYqRjEo” width=”600″ height=”350″]
It goes to show that Lim Yoon Taek, and therefore Ulala Session, touched hearts and impacted lives in more ways than just one with songs. His funeral will be held at the Yonsei Severance Hospital on 13th February 2013. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and fans.
UPDATE:
It has been revealed that superstar Psy secretly covered the entire cost of Lim Yoon Taek‘s funeral expenses, which was a total of 40 million won (USD37,000). Psy quickly returned to Korea on the 12th from Malaysia upon hearing the news of Lim Yoon Taek’s passing. He stayed at the funeral for two hours to console the deceased’s family and stated, “An amazing person has left us. Please mourn for him.”
YG Entertainment commented, “This is something Psy personally did on his own and asked to keep it as a top secret, and it’s surprising that it was revealed somehow. Psy didn’t want to take away any attention from the deceased. He was hurt that there was nothing he could do.”
The late Lim Yoon Taek’s wife, Lee Hyerim, bid her husband goodbye via a tweet on Valentine’s Day which read:
think I can send him off with a happy heart now. He is a person who showed everything a human being can do… I, the wife of an awesome man, am very happy even in this moment. We will meet again, so wait a little. I love you. I love you, I love you. It seems it’s now time for you to say goodbye to this world. Although it is painful to let you go, I am comforted at the thought that I will be sending you to God. Go to a warm and peaceful place and watch over the earth where I live. You, who were very sick, I am very happy that you no longer have to feel pain. Goodbye my love, Lidan’s father.
Rest in peace.
