Gwangju to Hold Memorial Concert for Victims of the 12·29 Jeju Air Disaster

Memorial Concert to Mark the First Anniversary of the Disaster
to Be Held at the Culture and Art Center on the 26th and 27th

On January 18, black ribbons, wedding veils, and memorial messages were hung on the fence at the site of the Muan Airport 12·29 passenger plane disaster. Photo by Song Bohyun

One year has passed. A memorial concert will be held in Gwangju to remember the 12·29 Passenger Plane Disaster.

The city of Gwangju announced on the 18th that it will host the "12·29 Passenger Plane Disaster 1st Anniversary Memorial Concert" at the Gwangju Culture and Art Center Grand Theater on the afternoons of the 26th and 27th. The event is dedicated to commemorating the victims of the Jeju Air passenger plane accident that occurred at Muan International Airport on December 29 last year.

On the first day, the 26th, at 7 p.m., the Gwangju Municipal Traditional Korean Orchestra will take the stage with the theme "Requiem, Memory." The event will be hosted by Oh Jeonghae, an actress and Korean traditional musician. The concert will open with the Gwangju Municipal Changgeuk Troupe's performance of "Jindo Ssitgimgut," followed by vocalist Jang Saik singing "Wild Rose," "Flower Viewing," and "Arirang."

The final performance will feature composer Lee Jungho's traditional Korean requiem "Requiem." This piece will bring together several local artistic groups, including the Gwangju Municipal Orchestra, Gwangju Municipal Choir, Gwangju Municipal Changgeuk Troupe, Gwangju Children’s Choir, Mokpo Municipal Choir, and Suncheon Municipal Choir, representing the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions.

The traditional Korean requiem "Requiem" is based on the Jindo Ssitgimgut ritual and incorporates elements such as Catholic Mass choir lyrics, the sorrowful and lamenting chants from the Jindo Ssitgimgut’s road-clearing section, prayers, Namu Amita Bul, and Cheongung.

On the second day, the 27th, at 5 p.m., the Gwangju Municipal Symphony Orchestra will hold a memorial concert under the theme "Remembering the Names of 179 People." This performance is designed to individually honor each of the 179 victims who lost their lives in the accident. The program is structured to progress through themes of sorrow, memory, and solidarity.

The concert will open with Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings." Next, violinist Kim Bomsori will perform John Williams' "The Lark Ascending." In the third segment, writer Hwang Sokyong will read a tribute to the victims. The final performance will conclude with the sixth movement of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 3.

Yoon Youngmoon, Director of the Gwangju Culture and Art Center, stated, "Although time has passed since the disaster, there are still lingering questions and emotions," adding, "I hope these two days of performances will become an opportunity to reflect on those memories."