FEBC-Korea honors Korean War veterans with fall concert

Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea hosts its fall concert at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea commemorated fallen soldiers of the 1950-53 Korean War and the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation with its annual fall concert at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, Tuesday.

The event coincided with U.N. Veterans International Memorial Day, designated to honor soldiers who fought under the United Nations flag during the war. Korea has observed the day since 2007.

The concert’s lineup featured soprano Jungwon Choi, tenor John Noh, bass-baritone Yoo Myung-heon, the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra and the FEBC Children’s Choir.

The 100-minute program opened with John Williams' "Superman" theme song by the Mostly Philharmonic, followed by Choi and the children’s choir performing a medley from “The Sound of Music” and the Christian hymns “How Great Thou Art” and “Precious Lord, Take My Hand.”

Noh then took the stage, moving the audience with a solo performance of “Grace,” followed by a duet with Choi of the hymn “Amazing Grace” and the Korean folk song “Arirang,” accompanied by pipe musician Byun Woo-rim.

One of the highlights of the evening came when Yoo appeared dressed as U.S. General Douglas MacArthur (1880-1964), the top commander during the Korean War, performing “Old Soldiers Never Die,” “The Impossible Dream” and “My Way.”

“Old Soldiers Never Die” originated as a parody of a British army song set to the melody of the gospel tune “Kind Words Never Die.” General MacArthur famously used the phrase in his 1951 address to U.S. Congress. “The Impossible Dream” is from the 1965 Broadway musical “Man of La Mancha,” while “My Way” was popularized by Frank Sinatra.

Far East Broadcasting Company (FEBC)-Korea hosts its fall concert at Lotte Concert Hall in southern Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of FEBC-Korea

Yoo also sang “The Lord’s Prayer,” a musical setting of the biblical text often cited by MacArthur.

The first half of the concert concluded with a U.S. Armed Forces medley performed by all singers, expressing gratitude to the American troops who aided South Korea during the war.

The second half featured the FEBC Children’s Choir, whose members from across the country performed songs including “From Now On” from the 2017 film “The Greatest Showman” and “You Raise Me Up” by Secret Garden.

“This year’s fall concert was organized in anticipation of FEBC-Korea’s 70 years of ministry next year and to reflect on the significance of the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landing Operation, a pivotal moment in defending the freedom of Korea,” Rev. Billy Kim, chairman of FEBC-Korea, said in a press release.

“We wish to express our deepest respect and gratitude to the U.N. Allied Forces and U.S. veterans who sacrificed and devoted themselves during the Korean War.”