The late Turtleman (55, Im Seong-hoon) continues to shine as a genius composer and musician, proving the enduring power of upbeat K-pop. From “Bingo” to “Four Seasons,” the audience didn’t hesitate to join in with massive sing-alongs.
In the JTBC variety show ‘Hidden Singer 8’ aired on the night of the 19th, a series of hit songs by the late Turtleman of the group Turtles were revealed.
Turtleman was a member of Turtles and gained massive fame with hits like “Airplane.” Many celebrities remember them; recently, Moon Se-yoon and Chuu formed “Hanmanchuu” and parodied the song on YouTube.
Turtleman was known for his wide network in the entertainment industry, especially his close friendship with comedians like Jung Jong-chul. Regarding this, Ji-i shared, “He naturally had the energy of a comedian. He loved making people laugh.”
Song Eun-i remarked, “Turtles were popular because of the easy lyrics and exciting melodies that anyone could follow. The messages were relatable. Since Turtleman wrote, composed, and produced everything, he can truly be called a genius musician.”
Turtles also captivated music fans with lyrics that touched on social phenomena, such as luxury brand addiction. Songs like “Airplane,” “Four Seasons,” and “Bingo” were widely loved. At the time, the public described Turtles’ music as an “all-ages style,” noting that anyone could sing along and find comfort in them.
Guest profilers Pyo Chang-won and Kwon Il-yong recalled memories of seeing Ji-i and Geumbi nearby, like a girl group. This mixed-gender duo was a prime example of the popular co-ed groups that dominated the 2000s.
In Round 1, “Bingo” was featured. An impersonator from Room 5, known as “CEO Turtleman,” shared a behind-the-scenes story, saying that announcer Na Kyung-eun (wife of Yoo Jae-suk) once told them they sounded exactly like the original. Ji-i was impressed, noting, “The final ‘ro’ in ‘Baraneun Daero’ was truly identical.”
However, the original singer’s voice wasn’t identified in Round 1 because there were so many skilled impersonators. Round 2 featured “Why Like This,” and Round 3 finally brought out the highly popular “Airplane.” Emotional stories from agency juniors and others whose lives were touched by the song added to the mood.
A special guest was in the audience: the singer’s older brother. When asked if he could recognize his brother’s voice, he jokingly replied, “They all sound like Seong-hoon,” making everyone burst into laughter. It showed just how many impersonators could mimic his unique voice.
Another highlight was the appearance of Moon Se-yoon as one of the impersonators. Everyone cheered for him as his physique, voice, and wit were all similar. Moon Se-yoon survived the round, and other contestants added interest by sharing their personal stories.
Turtleman, born Im Seong-hoon, passed away suddenly on April 2, 2008, due to myocardial infarction. This led to the suspension of Turtles’ activities. The group currently consists of Ji-i and Geumbi. Although the group resumed activities in 2011 with a new member, it ended after five months. Turtleman was the root and the spirit of Turtles.
