Self-composed track 'Isamwol Syndrome,' capturing stories of wandering and growth, was released on major music platforms Oct. 20
A group of out-of-school youth in Gwanak-gu has officially released a song they wrote and composed themselves.
The young participants in the music club 808DREAM were involved in every stage of the project — from concept development and songwriting to vocal recording and music video production — collaborating throughout to share ideas and work through creative differences.
Gwanak-gu said the music club 808DREAM, operated through the district's out-of-school youth support center Kkumdeurim, officially released its debut original track "Isamwol Syndrome" — meaning "February–March Syndrome" — and made it available on major music streaming platforms. The district said it continues to provide steady support so that out-of-school youth can nurture their dreams despite hardship and grow into healthy members of society.
"Isamwol Syndrome" is the first fruit of the music club program, which was set up to help out-of-school youth discover their aptitudes and explore career paths through creative music activities. The song draws directly on the young members' own experiences of drifting and finding their footing.
The music video tells the story of teenagers who cannot feel the arrival of spring in their hearts even as the season comes around them. Through the journey of a protagonist who searches for a lost spring only to realize it was close by all along, the video carries a message of hope and growth.
"We are so happy that a song we made ourselves is being officially released," the youth who took part in the recording said. "Through the process of making music together, we were able to share each other's thoughts and feelings and grow a great deal."
In addition, the district uses the Kkumdeurim out-of-school youth support center to address the various concerns of young people who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out — including career worries and difficulties with friendships and family — and provides psychological and emotional counseling.
The center also offers tailored services covering GED preparation and academic advancement support, career exploration and vocational experience, and cultural, artistic and self-development activities, helping youth return to their studies or find a career path suited to their strengths.
The district plans to continue its support so that no young person is left on the margins of society. Youth in need of assistance and their guardians can reach out to Gwanak-gu's Kkumdeurim center or the youth counseling hotline.
Gwanak-gu District Mayor Park Jun-hee said the release "is a precious achievement in which out-of-school youth took one more step toward growth by planning and producing a song entirely on their own." Park added that the district "will actively support young people so they can discover their talents and potential and realize their dreams through diverse experiences and challenges."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
