'Folk music brings hope and happiness'
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Han Yong-gil, managing director of Joy Communications, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at the newspaper’s office in Seoul, Tuesday. He said folk music can heal and comfort the souls of people. / Korea Times
By Chung Hyun-chae
Han Yong-gil, managing director of Joy Communications, a music production company, has stressed the importance of folk music which all family members can enjoy together.
“Folk music delivers a clear message of love and freedom to the audience. It also brings hope and happiness to the people,” he said in an interview with The Korea Times on Tuesday.
“Unlike K-pop, which is not enjoyable for everyone but for certain age groups, folk music is easy and relaxing so that anyone can relish it,” he said.
Han thinks some commercially successful music genres will not last long as they do not deeply move people.
“In the past, one guitar was enough to draw a dozen people, because folk songs played with a guitar had some meaningful messages,” he said.
“Different types of concerts have been springing up in recent years, for example rock concerts, but they are only for youngsters. I felt a need to introduce a family concert that can heal and comfort the soul of all people regardless of their age or gender,” he said.
That is why he organized the Paju Folk Festival, the nation’s only folk concert, which will enter its fourth year in 2014. The concert is scheduled for Sept. 13 at a peace park in Imjingak near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), Paju, Gyeonggi Province.
Han started with his own production firm in 2009 after working at CBS, Korea’s first independent radio station, for more than 20 years as a music program director.
He said audiences can watch and enjoy performances while sitting on the grass, like going on a picnic.
“I recommend the audience bring some food and beverage and a mat,” Han said
In order for families to bring their children without feeling financial pressure, his company sells the tickets at relatively low prices, ranging from 30,000 won to 50,000 won. Children younger than eight are admitted free.
Han believes that as a growing number of people have harkened back to the old days in recent years, folk music is basking in the spotlight.
He is adamant to revive the spirit of the folk music through the Paju festival.
Featured singers of the concert include Lee Jang-hee, one of the iconic folk rock singers in the 1970s; and Zoo, a folk rock band whose main vocalist was Kim Kwang-seok who died in 1996. Also among them are Kim Jang-hoon, Yoon-do-hyun Band (YB Band) and singer-songwriter Andreas Sandlund of Sweden.
It is estimated that about 12,000 people will come to the concert this year, up from 7,000 last year.
“I believe the Paju Folk Festival will cement its status as one of the most popular festivals in Korea in a few years,” Han said.
“My remaining challenge is to attract more young people mostly in their 20s. To do so, we are thinking of inviting young, talented folk singers in the future,” he added.