Minoru Obata (April 30, 1923 - April 24, 1979) was a singer from Pyongyang, Korea. His real name was Kang Yong-cheol (강영철). In 1937, inspired by Korean tenor Nagata Monjiro, he traveled to Japan at the age of 16 and enrolled in the Japan Music School. He studied vocal music despite the difficulties of studying, and graduated in 1941, after which he became a student of Eguchi Yasi. It is said that around this time, he was looked after by his landlord, Obata Iku, who was from Odate, Akita Prefecture, and that is why he took the surname Obata and claimed to be from Akita. Iku's s… read more
Minoru Obata (April 30, 1923 - April 24, 1979) was a singer from Pyongyang, Korea. His real name was Kang Yong-cheol (강영철). In 1937, inspired by Korean tenor Nagata Monjiro, he traveled to Japan at the age of 16 and enrolled in the Japan Music School. He studied vocal music despite the diffi… read more
Minoru Obata (April 30, 1923 - April 24, 1979) was a singer from Pyongyang, Korea. His real name was Kang Yong-cheol (강영철). In 1937, inspired by Korean tenor Nagata Monjiro, he traveled to Japan at the age of 16 and enrolled in the Japan Music School. He studied vocal music despite the difficulties of studying, and graduated in 1941, after which he became a stud… read more
