Gwangju Seo-gu to Hold 'Resonance of Memory' Year-End Concert on the 27th

Theme: "The Turbulent Year of 2025: The Resonance of Solidarity in Embracing and Reflecting on Memory"

Seo-gu District in Gwangju will hold the 'Resonance of Memory' Year-End Concert at Seobitmaru Cultural Arts Center at 7 p.m. on December 27.

'Resonance of Memory' Year-End Concert Poster. Provided by Seo-gu, Gwangju

According to Seo-gu District on December 24, this concert is themed 'The Turbulent Year of 2025: The Resonance of Solidarity in Embracing and Reflecting on Memory.' It is organized to express gratitude to residents who have participated in building a 'Good City Seo-gu' throughout the year, and to reflect on the values of democracy and the meaning of solidarity.

The concert will feature a profound stage with a collaboration between a traditional orchestra and some of the nation’s top musical actors and vocalists.

Notably, Seo-gu has drawn attention by inviting a very special group of '123' citizens as VIPs. These 123 individuals-comprising youth, artists, and citizens-include representatives from the Korean Federation of Cultural Artists, Gwangju Women's Minwoo Association, Jeonnam Candlelight Action, May 18 Youth Orchestra, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, and the Gwangju-Jeonnam University Democratic Alumni Association Council, all of whom fulfilled their roles as democratic citizens during the critical period when the foundations of democracy were shaken, from the declaration of martial law to the impeachment of the president.

The number '123' symbolizes both the declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, and the 123 days during which citizens united to defend democracy until President Yoon Suk-yeol was removed from office following the Constitutional Court's decision to uphold the impeachment on April 4, 2025.

The performance will open with the Asia Art Symphony Orchestra’s 'Arirang Fantasy,' followed by soprano Shin Eunsun and baritone Cho Jaekyung presenting Korean art songs and opera pieces. Musical actors Yang Junmo and Jang Yeo-jin will then bring the concert to a grand finale with passionate renditions of 'I Remember You' and 'Hero,' the original soundtracks from the musical 'Hero.'

All seats for the concert are free of charge, and general seating-excluding the special invitation seats-sold out immediately upon ticket release.

Seo-gu District Mayor Lee Ikang stated, "This year-end concert is an opportunity for residents to look back on the turbulent year of 2025 together, to comfort and encourage one another," adding, "Next year, we will continue to expand cultural opportunities for residents and actively support the creative activities of artists to further vitalize culture and the arts."