"On Aug. 14, 1,815 Songpa-gu residents will become a living Taegukgi, their voices ringing out in songs of liberation — joined by a silent sign-language chorus that weaves together a true harmony of inclusion!"
Seoul's Songpa-gu announced it will hold the "Songpa Grand Chorus" at Lotte Concert Hall at 3 p.m. Friday, the day before the 81st Liberation Day, under the theme "Aug. 15 — The Day Light Was Restored, a Chorus of Joy," with 1,815 district residents taking part.
Now in its fourth year, the event is a large-scale, resident-driven Liberation Day choral celebration found nowhere else in the country. Exactly 1,815 residents — a number symbolizing Aug. 15 — gather in one place to sing of the joy of liberation and honor the sacrifice of those who gave their lives for independence.
This year's edition raises the spirit of unity further, with participants ranging from descendants of independence fighters and three-generation families to residents with hearing disabilities all sharing the stage.
Members of the Songpa-gu chapter of the Korean Liberation Association — descendants of independence movement figures — will join the chorus to deepen the significance of the occasion. Also drawing attention is the Yang Hae-seop family, appearing for the second consecutive year: the grandfather, his daughter and two grandchildren will perform together on stage across three generations.
Twenty-five residents with hearing disabilities will also take part, performing a sign-language chorus that conveys the joy of liberation through their hands and adds a message of inclusion by breaking down barriers of disability.
Before the main chorus, a series of celebratory performances will set the stage. Students from the musical theater department of Hallim Arts High School, soprano Bae Woo-ri and tenor Kim Jin-hun will perform "Promising That Day" and other songs from "Hero," a musical about independence activist Ahn Jung-geun, along with art songs — unfolding the longing for independence like a single narrative drama.
In the main performance, 1,815 residents dressed in matching red, blue and white T-shirts — the colors of the Taegukgi — will create a striking visual. Accompanied by the Songpa District Symphony Orchestra, they will sing seven songs: "Independence Army Patriotic Song," "A Good Country," "Hand in Hand," "My Country, My People," "Beautiful Country," "Beautiful Land" and "Liberation Day Song," celebrating the joy of liberation and wishing for Korea's continued prosperity.
The performance will close with the 1,815 Songpa residents leading three cheers of "Manse." All attendees plan to join in, recreating the emotion of that historic day.
Songpa-gu District Mayor Seo Gang-seok said the Grand Chorus is "Songpa's proudest signature event, where 1,815 residents transcend generations and disability to honor those who died for their country and sing together of the joy of liberation." He added that he hopes "the moving harmony our residents create in the world-class venue of Lotte Concert Hall will serve as a meaningful occasion to give thanks for the sacrifice of our fallen patriots and reflect deeply on the significance of Liberation Day."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
