Proving cultural prowess as a poet and novelist and having unique experience in culture by directing plays during university, Seo District Mayor has played a key role as general director in leading the Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival with the main theme 'Power of Culture,' setting different annual themes and delivering high-quality cultural and artistic festival programs.
Seogang-seok, Mayor of Songpa District, is explaining the details of the festival in person at the 24th Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival press briefing held at the Seoul Press Center on the morning of the 25th. He attracted attention by demonstrating his cultural skills, especially by reciting his own poem.
Seogang-seok, Mayor of Songpa District, is an administrative expert who has held key positions such as Seoul City Planning and Coordination Officer, Administrative Director, New York Consul, Secretary to Mayor Lee Myung-bak, Director of the Talent Development Institute, and Director of the Finance Bureau, having passed the civil service exam.
He is also a published poet and novelist, having written the autobiographical novel "Gangsu-neun Georeotda" ("Gangsu Walked"). Especially during his university years, he was deeply involved as a theater club director, sometimes neglecting his studies, but after graduation, he managed to pass the civil service exam while working, demonstrating his outstanding capability in his duties.
He also shares the story of being a theater club director alongside his fellow trainees from the 25th civil service exam class.
With such exceptional expertise in the cultural field, since his inauguration as the 8th elected Mayor of Songpa District, he has personally directed the Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival starting from the 2022 event, continuing through the 2023 festival, and the 24th Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival held from the 27th to the 29th at the Olympic Peace Plaza.
He has selected themes centered on the "Power of Culture" since 2022 to showcase the charm of culture and arts that transcend eras through the festival.
The 2022 event theme was set as "The Power of Culture Flowing Proudly," followed by 2023's "The Power of Culture Crossing Rivers and Seas," and this year’s theme is "The Power of Culture Connecting Hearts."
He plays the role of the festival’s general director, not stopping at a one-time event but producing programs each year that align with the festival’s theme.
This year’s theme, "The Power of Culture Connecting Hearts," signifies that the cultural power originating from Hansung Baekje culture, which has flowed for 2,000 years, connects hearts worldwide beyond Korea, uniting people as one.
Since the first year of his term, Mayor Seo has added meaning to the festival by composing original poems. This year, he wrote a poem themed on "The Power of Culture Connecting Hearts."
The Power of Culture Connecting Hearts
Along the hills of Songpa,
The power of culture flowing proudly
Has connected the hearts
Of the people who have lived
On this land for five thousand years.
Breathing with the wind of the Han River,
Rooted in the pine-covered hills,
The power of Hansung Baekje culture
Crosses rivers and seas,
Connecting the hearts of five billion humanity.
Flowing with the spirit of the nation,
Enduring years of hardship,
The power of culture spreading worldwide
Shines like a sunrise
Breaking through the mountains.
Becoming a light of hope,
Never drying for thousands of years,
Overflowing and flowing, the power of culture
Makes our united passionate hearts
Beat vigorously.
On the morning of the 25th, Mayor Seo also personally recited his original poem at the Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival press conference.
Since Mayor Seo’s inauguration, the Hansung Baekje Cultural Festival has presented stages differentiated from traditional festivals, including fashion shows, musicals, K-pop, and game music.
This year, a comprehensive performing arts show is featured. On a 55-meter giant LED stage shaped like the Songpa skyline, fantastic performances unfold, including traditional music, contemporary dance, popular songs, fusion music, and a drone show, creating a high-quality cultural arts festival.
Notably, popular songs at the festival do not include trot, which is commonly seen at other festivals.
The opening ceremony on the first day, the 27th, from 7 PM to 9 PM, begins with the dance team "HOOK" and the Korea National University of Arts dance troupe "K-Arts" opening the festival. Following this, the theme poem is expressed through dazzling media visuals and contemporary dance in the theme performance. The congratulatory performances feature the idol group "fromis-9," singer-songwriter "Hong Isak," and rock band "Boohwal," showcasing the diversity of K-pop.
Then, 800 drones fly over Mongchunho Lake in Olympic Park, drawing images of Songpa District’s characters "Haha, Hoho," the tourist attraction "Lotte World Tower," and highlights of the Paris Olympics.
On the second day, the 28th, from 7:30 PM to 10 PM, the "Hansung Cultural Concert" is held, where attendees enjoy the elegance of traditional music.
Especially centered on the gayageum performance by Professor Choi Jin, a holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property and professor at Kyungwon University, a 20-person gayageum ensemble performs alongside traditional dances such as Seonbi dance, Yeoryeong dance, Crane dance, Seungmu, and Jeongga (old royal court songs), as well as traditional Korean opera, offering a rare taste of a high-quality festival.
Additionally, performances by the "Saengdonggam Crew" with LED dance and the fusion gugak group "AUX" bring a joyous blend of tradition and modernity.
On the final day, the 29th, at 7 PM, after a highlight video screening, the district’s civic orchestra takes the stage, presenting K-pop music reinterpreted in classical style, including BTS’s "Dynamite." The musical gala concert featuring musical actors "Kai" and "Ivy" performs famous Broadway musical songs.
This festival demonstrates the cultural expert’s determination to present not just a routine local government event but a high-quality cultural arts festival held year-round.
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