Spring concert brings seasonal change to pandemic-weary music lovers

Korea Times resumes annual concert after two years to thank its readers

By Park Ji-won

The Korea Times treated a pandemic-weary audience to its annual spring concert at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul, Thursday.

Participants immersed themselves in the cultural event that resumed this year following the cancellation of last year's edition due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Almost half of the 985 seats in the Grand Hall were filled with guests including Korea Times readers, government officials, diplomats assigned to Seoul, business leaders and other cultural figures.

Attendance was limited to comply with strict social distancing rules, with seat distancing being adopted.

Mexican Ambassador to Korea Bruno Figueroa said he was thrilled to attend the much-anticipated concert, calling it a “splendid event.” Ambassador Figueroa said he was happy to be able to participate in the event to celebrate the newspaper's 71st anniversary this year.

“My wife and I value the commitment of The Korea Times to make this exciting event possible for one more year in spite of the vast difficulties we have experienced over the past months,” he said.

Italian Ambassador to Korea Federico Failla said the concert represented “hope and the will to enjoy culture and arts even in challenging times.”

The Sejong Center was full of positive energy as the concert began with the overture from the operetta “Die Fledermaus” (The Bat) played by the Mostly Philharmonic Orchestra.

Soprano Oh Eun-kyung performed “Je Veux Vivre” from the opera “Romeo et Juliette,” which was followed by Dulcamara's Aria from “Elixir of Love” sung by bass-baritone Choi Woong-jo. Soprano Kim Soo-yeon then sang “Les Oiseaux dans la Charmille” from the operetta “The Tales of Hoffmann.”

The gagok, or Korean language song, “A Night for Counting Stars,” written by the poet and independence fighter Yoon Dong-ju and scored by Cho Beom-jin, was sang by bass-baritone Choi Woong-jo; followed by soprano Oh Eun-kyung's singing of “As Spring Comes Across the River,” written by Song Gil-ja and composer Lim Geung-soo.

Chanson singer Monsieur Ko sang Edith Piaf's “Padam, Padam,” while tenor Ryu Jung-phil sang “Can't Take My Eyes off You,” made famous by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Soprano Kim Soo-yeon sang “Over the Rainbow,” written for the 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz,” which was followed by the duet “Paroles Paroles” by Monsieur Ko with Joelle. The Korean song “Uninhabited Island,” written by Lee Jong-taek to music by Lee Bong-jo was sung by tenor Ryu Jung-phil.

Singer Jung Dong-ha ended the concert with “First Rain,” “I Still Love You” and “Fly Away.”

Portuguese Ambassador to Korea Manuel Goncalves de Jesus said the concert was meaningful because it was held at a time when people are struggling to fight the pandemic.

“I hope everyone had a moment of happiness and enjoyment with this event. I wish The Korea Times and its concert all the best,” he said.

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea Ramzi Teymurov echoed a similar view. “I would like to warmly congratulate The Korea Times on the occasion of hosting the spring concert despite the challenges that both Korea and the international community are facing due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.