2,135 Lyric Submissions Reviewed
Judged by Seo Kyung-duk, Lee Sangsoon, and a Panel of 31 Citizen Evaluators
On March 3, KB Financial Group announced the release of a video for the national participation campaign “Writing Again: Daehan Survived,” which aims to carry on the spirit of the March 1st Movement. The campaign features Professor Seo Kyung-duk of Sungshin Women’s University and singer-songwriter Lee Sangsoon.
The video stars campaign ambassadors Professor Seo and singer-songwriter Lee, along with lyricist Han Sungil, who created the grand prize-winning entry in the competition. Together, they calmly discuss the campaign’s purpose, the production process, and the message contained in “Ordinary Days.”
In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation last year, KB Financial Group carried out the campaign by inviting the public to contribute “lyrics to be passed down 100 years from now” to an unreleased melody composed by music director Jung Jaeil. Director Jung also participated in the 2019 “Daehan Survived” campaign.
Professor Seo, singer-songwriter Lee, and a panel of 31 citizen judges reviewed a total of 2,135 lyric submissions.
The grand prize-winning lyrics by lyricist Han, entitled “Ordinary Days,” were arranged by director Jung. Additionally, singer Lee Jeok contributed his talents, and the official track was released on March 1, marking the 107th anniversary of the March 1st Movement.
The video retraces the history of the March 1st Movement, in which voluntary participation by the Korean people broadcast the nation’s will for independence to the world. Following the “flow of the song” in commemoration of March 1st, the campaign delivers its historical message.
Subtitles in the video connect March 1, 1919, to March 1 of this year, symbolically depicting a journey that reaches back over a century to rediscover the passionate cries and noble spirit of that day.
The video was filmed at Ewha Museum in Jeong-dong, Seoul-a place that has produced many women independence activists, including Yu Gwansun. There, Professor Seo and singer-songwriter Lee discussed the significance of the March 1st Movement through an interview format, conveying the message: “The very name that became Korea’s identity, the March 1st Movement.”
Lyricist Han also appeared in the video, sincerely sharing his thoughts on participating in the campaign and the meaning behind the lyrics. Having previously appeared as contestant number 44 on “Sing Again 4” last year, Han performed “Writing Again: Daehan Survived,” delivering a quietly moving performance with his gentle voice.
A representative from KB Financial Group stated, “What the independence activists sought to protect was not grand glory, but ordinary days spent with their loved ones. To ensure their simple dreams are not forgotten, KB Financial Group seeks to carry the sincerity from 100 years ago into the music of today and pass it on to the next generation 100 years from now.”
The promotional video for “Writing Again: Daehan Survived” can be viewed on KB Financial Group’s official YouTube channel. The official track is available on various music platforms, including Melon and YouTube Music.
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