Gwangmyeong City Selects Singer Han Youngae as Second Inductee of Gwangmyeong Music Hall of Fame

Scheduled to Perform at Festival Gwangmyeong in October

Gwangmyeong City in Gyeonggi Province announced on July 1 that singer Han Youngae has been selected as the second inductee of the Gwangmyeong Music Hall of Fame (GMHOF).

2025 Festival Gwangmyeong Poster (left) and singer Han Youngae, selected as the second inductee of the Gwangmyeong Music Hall of Fame. Provided by Gwangmyeong City

The Gwangmyeong Music Hall of Fame is a project launched to enhance the sustainability of the city's signature event, Festival Gwangmyeong, and to strengthen its connection with local culture. The goal is to honor musicians who have made significant contributions to the history of Korean popular music, to commemorate their achievements and spirit, and to contribute to the development of popular music with Gwangmyeong as a base.

The city has been selecting inductees since last year through an agreement with the Korean Music Awards Selection Committee (KMA). Last year, singer Kim Changwan was chosen as the first inductee.

Kim Kwanghyun, chairperson of the KMA, said, "Han Youngae, who began her musical career in the mid-1970s with the folk group Sunflower, has continued her musical journey for nearly half a century, singing about life from her own place. We highly valued this and selected her as this year's inductee."

The induction ceremony for Han Youngae will take place on October 4 at the 2025 Festival Gwangmyeong venue. After the ceremony, Han Youngae is also scheduled to perform.

This year's Festival Gwangmyeong will be held over two days, October 3 and 4, coinciding with the start of the Chuseok holiday. The event, which began as a street festival in 2022, has been held as a music festival since 2023.

This year's festival will take place at a street plaza created by completely closing off the eight-lane Cheolsan-ro near Cheolsan Station on Subway Line 7. Making use of the unique setting of a car-free street, the festival will feature a variety of programs, including a retro roller skating rink and participatory games.

Park Seungwon, mayor of Gwangmyeong City, said, "I hope that the Festival Gwangmyeong stage, featuring Han Youngae and various other artists, will deliver resonance and inspiration to many people."