79th Anniversary of Gwangbokjeol Commemoration: 1,815 Songpa Residents in a Grand Chorus!

Songpa-gu to Host 'August 15, Day of Restored Light, Joyful Chorus' at Lotte Concert Hall on the 13th at 3 PM
From 5 to 88 Years Old, 1,815 Participants Including Descendants of Independence Activists and Local Residents
Seven Songs Including Liberation Day Song and Independence Army Patriotic Song Express Joy and Glory of Independence
Wearing Taegeukgi Symbolic Uniforms for 'Manse Samchang'... Delivering an Emotional Stage with Residents

Last year's Songpa-gu Liberation Day event commemorative choir

# Last year, I participated out of curiosity in the first 8·15 Grand Chorus with my neighbors, and on the day of the event, the majestic harmony moved me deeply, bringing tears to my eyes with the emotion of liberation.

I wanted to feel that emotion once again, so I decided to attend this year as well.

Songpa-gu (Mayor Seo Gang-seok) commemorates the 79th Liberation Day by hosting the ‘Songpa-gu Residents Grand Chorus’ at Lotte Concert Hall this year, following last year’s event, to recreate the overwhelming emotion of liberation through choral singing.

The ‘Songpa-gu Residents Grand Chorus’ will take place on August 13 at 3 p.m. A total of 1,815 residents will participate, ranging from 5-year-old children to 88-year-old seniors, including descendants of independence activists, veterans’ organizations, North Korean defectors, religious groups, and elementary, middle, and high school students.

This year’s event features even more diverse civilian choirs (increasing from 5 to 8) and religious groups (with 2 new participating churches), along with a rise in individual participants, leading to early closure of applications due to the enthusiastic interest of the residents.

Notably, among the attendees are the children and their spouses of the married independence activists Choi Gap-ryong and Im Gyeong-ae, adding deeper meaning to Liberation Day. Choi Gap-ryong organized the Gwanseo Black Bull Association centered in Japan, Pyongyang, and Wonsan during the 1920s to carry out independence activities, while his wife Im Gyeong-ae participated in the Gwangju Student Movement in 1930 while attending Ewha Girls’ High School.

Their son, Mr. Choi Cheol-hoon (76), said, “I am active as a Songpa-gu Liberation Member to follow the will of my independence activist parents,” and added, “When Liberation Day comes, I deeply miss my parents who endured countless hardships during their independence movement.” He will participate in the chorus together with his wife, Ms. Kim Young-hee (74).

A first-time participant this year expressed, “Just being part of an event where many residents come together on a national holiday makes me feel truly proud and honored.”

The theme of the Songpa-gu Residents Grand Chorus is ‘8·15, The Day We Regained the Light, A Chorus of Joy.’ The event will begin with a congratulatory performance of the song ‘Missing You’ by the Songpa-gu Symphony Orchestra and the municipal children’s, women’s, and silver choirs, followed by a collaborative performance of the original Liberation Day composition ‘The Day We Regained the Light’ (composed by Silver Choir conductor Park Hoon).

The 1,815 residents will wear matching T-shirts in red, blue, and white?colors symbolizing the Taegeukgi (Korean national flag)?and participate as one heart and one mind, both as audience and protagonists. They will sing seven songs including ‘Independence Army National Anthem,’ ‘Beautiful Rivers and Mountains,’ ‘Beautiful Country,’ ‘Champion,’ ‘Song of Joy,’ and ‘Liberation Day Song.’

The final song will feature all participants holding hand-held Taegeukgi flags while singing together, and after the performance, all attendees in the audience will shout “Manse” (long live) three times to recreate the scene of liberation 79 years ago and share the overwhelming emotion.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, said, “The ‘Songpa-gu Residents Grand Chorus’ is an occasion where 1,815 residents, beyond class, religion, and ideology, unite with one heart and one voice to convey the joy of regaining the light of freedom,” and added, “Going forward, Songpa-gu will continue to remember our ancestors who devoted themselves to the country and take the lead in practicing patriotism.”