‘Dokdo Love Ink Wash Performance’ to Celebrate 80th Anniversary of Liberation and APEC in Gyeongju

Kwon Yongseop's Ink Wash Painting of Dokdo
Jung Gwangtae's Song and Jang Gwangpal's Emceeing

The "Dokdo Love Ink Wash Performance," commemorating the 80th anniversary of Liberation and the upcoming Gyeongju APEC on October 30, will be held in grand fashion at 10 a.m. on August 13 at the "Dokdo Love Rest Area" near Gyeongju IC.

APEC Commemorative Dokdo Love Ink Wash Performance for the 80th Anniversary of Liberation in Gyeongju. Painting by Donggok

This event features Kwon Yongseop, a Korean-American Dokdo artist who has traveled to over 20 countries around the world for 25 years to promote Korea's scenic beauty and Dokdo, along with his wife Yeo Yeongnan.

Kwon will present a "speed ink wash" performance, painting Dokdo on a massive 7-meter-long canvas in just 10 minutes. The powerful and dynamic brushstrokes are expected to draw applause and cheers from the audience, inspiring patriotism among those present.

The event will be hosted by Jang Gwangpal, the second-generation comedian and descendant of Jang Sopal, a first-generation Korean comedy performer, who will liven up the atmosphere with his witty emceeing.

Additionally, singer Jung Gwangtae, who has become a symbol of the Dokdo movement for over 40 years through the song "Dokdo Is Our Land," will take the stage to perform his signature songs. The performance will also feature a flash mob of 220 seniors and an audience of over 250 citizens, delivering a message of love for Dokdo through a large-scale chorus and dance.

Kwon stated, "I hope this performance goes beyond a simple artistic event to widely promote the value of Dokdo and serve as an opportunity to reignite the Dokdo Love Movement, which has been subdued for some time."

The organizers also emphasized, "This will mark the first step in cultural diplomacy that brings together the historical significance of the Gyeongju APEC and the 80th anniversary of Liberation."

Although the Dokdo movement has continued to attract national attention for decades, its momentum has weakened recently due to changes in international affairs and social issues. This event is being recognized as a symbolic occasion that combines art, music, and public participation to inject new vitality into the Dokdo movement.