Geumcheon-gu will mark the 81st Liberation Day with a surprise youth musical performance titled "Yeongung, The Cry of That Day" at the event hall of Hyundai City Outlet's Gasan branch on Saturday.
The performance was organized to let young residents of Geumcheon-gu take center stage and share the joy of liberation and the spirit of the independence movement with the community. By moving outside a conventional theater and into the lobby of a shopping mall frequented by residents, the organizers aim to make the performance accessible to anyone going about their daily lives.
About 15 young actors who have been honing their skills at the Geumcheon Musical Center will take the stage. Professional arts instructors and staff will join them, giving the event the feel of a professional gala concert rather than a routine recital.
The program centers on signature songs from "Yeongung" (Hero), a musical depicting the life and independence movement spirit of Ahn Jung-geun. It opens with the choral number "Pledging That Day," followed by a staging in which the young actors emerge from among the audience, and a Taegeukgi flash mob.
The program then moves into "Who Is the Criminal," expressing the resolve of Ahn Jung-geun and the independence fighters, and a solo number "Jangbuga" performed by one of the youth actors. An audience-participation segment is also planned, inviting everyone present to reflect on the meaning of liberation and share a sense of love for the country.
Geumcheon-gu established the Geumcheon Musical Center as the first of its kind among local governments nationwide, supporting arts education that lets young people learn musical theater and produce their own performances. In this surprise performance as well, the youth participants take ownership of the production — building their artistic and collaborative skills while conveying the historical significance of the independence movement to residents in their own voices.
The performance will run three times on Saturday — at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. — with each show lasting about 15 minutes. No reservation is required, and admission is free and open to all.
Geumcheon-gu District Mayor Choi Ki-chan said the event would be all the more meaningful because young residents of the district would take the stage themselves to share the spirit of the independence movement and the joy of liberation with the community. "I hope the songs from 'Yeongung,' delivered in the voices of our youth, will give people of all generations a moment to reflect on the meaning of liberation and share their love for this country," he said.
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