'Viva La Vida,' the Song of a Fallen King
Receives Enthusiastic Response at Second Concert in Korea
The British band Coldplay is singing at their second concert in Korea held on the 16th at Goyang Sports Complex. Live Nation Korea
"I once ruled the world. At my word, the seas would rise. But now I sweep the streets in the morning. The streets I once ruled."
"Listen to the crowd singing. The old king is dead! Long live the king! I once held the keys. The next moment, walls surrounded me on all sides."
These are part of the lyrics to 'Viva La Vida,' which received the loudest sing-along at the Coldplay concert held on the 16th at Goyang Sports Complex.
Coldplay's 2008 release 'Viva La Vida' depicts the final moments of a fallen king. Inspired by the French painter Delacroix's painting 'Liberty Leading the People,' which centers on the French Revolution, the song portrays the tragic end of a king ousted from power. Some recall the war hero Napoleon, who once ruled the world but ended his life exiled on a small island.
Recently, this song echoed through the streets, including Gwanghwamun Square, amid the impeachment political climate, earning the nickname 'Impeachment Anthem.' A similar situation occurred eight years ago. When Coldplay first visited Korea in April 2017, the song gained attention alongside the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye. On the day Park was impeached, the song climbed domestic music charts and was sung at candlelight rallies held at the time.
The British band Coldplay is singing at their second concert in Korea held on the 16th at Goyang Sports Complex. Photo by Live Nation Korea
Coldplay member Will Champion explained in a 2017 interview with Korean media that the song is "about a revolution where a powerful person steps down from the throne," adding that it carries "a message to embrace life and move forward despite hardship and fear." He acknowledged knowing well that the song is sung on Korean streets and called it an "honor."
At the Coldplay concert held after eight years, the audience's most enthusiastic response was to 'Viva La Vida,' which means "Long Live Life" in Spanish. The crowd filling the venue sang along, raising both hands high above their heads in response, as if shouting "Long live!" The voices of 50,000 attendees united, filling the Goyang field.
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