[Seoul District News] Gangbuk-gu to Erect 'Achim Isul' Song Monument on 25th... Monument to Feature Creator's Handwritten Score and Song Description
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangbuk-gu (Mayor Park Kyum-soo) erected a monument to the song "Achim Isul" in the park in front of the National April 19th Democratic Cemetery to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its creation.
"Achim Isul" is a song written and composed by Kim Min-ki, released in 1971. It is a representative folk song sung together at pro-democracy movement protests and continues to be loved by the public. It was designated as a banned song in 1975 but restrictions were lifted after the June Democratic Uprising in 1987.
The monument is shaped like a round egg made of stainless steel. The front side features the creator's biography and handwritten musical score. Below the score, the inscription reads, "Written in Suyu-dong in 1970. Composed by Kim Min-ki in 2021." The back side explains the origin of the creation. According to this, the scenery of Suyu-dong in 1970 served as the background for the lyrics "The sun rises red over the cemetery."
Additionally, the back side includes an English poem of "Achim Isul" written by Harvard University Korean Studies professor Carter J. Eckert and the sculptor's intention. Professor Kim Ji-hyun of Ulsan University (Department of Fine Arts), who participated as the sculptor, stated in the inscription on the monument that "The egg shape symbolizes the hope of life passed on to future generations."
Gangbuk-gu held an unveiling ceremony for the "Achim Isul" monument on the 25th. The event was graced by the presence of the creator's family, members of the theater company Hakjeon, and local artists. The district decided to rename the park where the monument was installed from "Mugunghwa" to "Achim Isul."
Park Kyum-soo, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, "We erected the monument and chose the installation site with the wish to reflect on the values and hope of democracy," adding, "We will develop the area around the National April 19th Democratic Cemetery, where the monument stands, into a specialized street that revives the memory of democratization."
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