Singer Yun Hyong-ju takes the Tokyo stage where Yun Dong-ju once studied

On the very ground where poet Yun Dong-ju once studied, a song set to his words rang out.

Singer Yun Hyong-ju took the stage Thursday at Yotsuya Civic Hall in Shinjuku-gu, Tokyo, for a concert titled "Tokyo, A Night with Songs." All 400 seats were filled. Ethnic Koreans who have lived in Japan for decades traveled from across the country to hear songs from their homeland.

Yun opened the show with "Jogaekkeoppjil Mukeo" ("Tying Seashells"). Originally released in 1971 under the title "La La La," the song's opening line proved so catchy that the nickname long ago eclipsed the official title. It was also the first hit Yun scored after going solo. Lore has it he wrote the song in 30 minutes to persuade a group of young women not to leave Daecheon Beach. In 2005, the city of Boryeong erected a stone monument to the song at that very beach.

The set continued with "Eoje Naerin Bi" ("Yesterday's Rain"), "White Handkerchief" and "Wedding Cake." The latter two are Korean-language adaptations from Yun's days with the duo Twin Folio. "White Handkerchief" put Korean lyrics to a melody by Greek singer Nana Mouskouri and became a favorite among young audiences in the late 1960s.

The most affecting moment of the evening came with "Byeol Heneun Bam" ("Counting Stars at Night"). Yun Hyong-ju is a second cousin of Yun Dong-ju, the beloved national poet. The song — set to Yun Dong-ju's verse — filled the hall before an audience of 400.

The CM song medley drew the loudest response from the crowd. Yun has composed more than 1,400 advertising jingles, among them tunes for Orancy, Saewookkang and Lotte Gum. As familiar melodies washed over the hall, audience members sang along and the atmosphere grew lively.

Yun performed 11 songs in total, wrapping up a set that ran nearly two hours.

The concert served as the official launch event for Herald Japan, which made its debut in Japan last month. The event was organized by HOPE NK, a private exchange organization. Herald Japan aims to expand people-to-people ties through cultural events and economic exchanges, in addition to its journalism covering news from both countries.

Kim Se-jin, CEO and Tokyo bureau chief of Herald Japan, said the outlet would "deliver accurate and in-depth coverage of Korea's economy, industry, companies, technology, culture and content to Japanese society," while also "swiftly conveying the voices of Japan's policy landscape, business community and society back to Korea."

Kim added that Herald Japan's ambition goes beyond simply reporting the news. "We will grow into a trusted media platform that connects companies and people in Korea and Japan, and creates new opportunities for exchange and cooperation," he said.

Song Won-seo, a professor at HOPE NK who organized the event, expressed gratitude for the concert held Friday. "I am deeply thankful for creating this meaningful occasion that goes beyond the role of media to connect people and cultures," Song said, adding that he hoped Herald Japan would grow into "a bridge linking the people and cultures of Korea and Japan."