Byun Jin-seop performs in Chicago to help build Korea Center

January 21, 2015
Singer Byun Jin-seop performs inside Chicago's Skokie Performing Arts Center Saturday.

Singer Byun Jin-seop performs inside Chicago’s Skokie Performing Arts Center Saturday.

Chicago welcomed South Korean pop singer Byun Jin-seop to Skokie Performing Arts Center Saturday as he performed to help raise funds to build a Korea Center in the city.

The concert, held by the Korean American Association of Chicago, saw Byun performing his biggest hits, among them “To You Once More” and “Wishlist.”

Byun was one of Korea’s top singers from the late 1980s to the 1990s.

“I hope one day to perform at the Korea Center, which the Korean association in Chicago hopes to build,” Byun said. “I’ll send my support even from far away.”

In November, the association began plans for a $5 million Korea Center.

Seo Jung-il, association president, said the concert was the first fundraising effort for the center.