“Big names in music team up for unification song” Korea Herald

Some of the biggest names in Korean music have teamed up to create a “unification song” with a goal of advancing a global movement for Korean Unification.

The song, to be released on Aug. 15, National Liberation Day and 70th anniversity  of Korea’s division, will be composed by Kim Hyung-suk who will codirect the project with musical director Kolleen Park.

Kim is a renowned composer who has written over 1,000 songs and has worked with big names such as Park Jin-young, singer and chief of JYP Entertainment, and Sung Si-kyung.

Kim Hyung-suk (left) and Kim Eana speak during the press conference held in Seoul on Thursday. (Moverman Korea) Image from kpopherald.koreaherald.com

“My mother’s side of the family was displaced by the Korean War,” said Kim at a press conference in Seoul on Thursday. “I vividly remember my grandparents crying when they watched the unions of separated families on TV. I will compose the song with that sentiment.”

The song is dubbed as a Korean version of the 1985 star-studded charity song “We are the World” and will be sung by an ensemble of 33 A-list celebrities. So far, only the five-member K-pop group B1A4 has finalized their participation.

“This project, as far as I know, encompasses conservatives, progressives as well as all religions,” Kim said, referring to the makeup of the New Generation’s Unification, a group founded specifically for the song project. It is comprised of different civic groups, seven religious denominations and groups of overseas Koreans.

“Unification is something we all want. While the song won’t propose a solution to the unification, I wish it will have an echo like ‘Arirang.’”

“Arirang” is Korea’s best-known folk song, and is beloved by both South and North Koreans.

Kim Eana, who will write the lyrics of the proposed song, said the word unification has become more symbolic and less relevant, especially for younger generations.

“The sense of longing, and wanting to become one, is something that transcends age,” said Kim who is one of the hottest lyricists in the K-pop scene and wrote the words for “Good Day” by IU and “Abracadabra” by Brown Eyed Girls.

“I will write a song that can resonate with people of all generations and different perspectives.”

Following the Aug. 15 unveiling of the song and a music video, a series of unification-themed concerts will be held across Korea and in other countries, including the U.S., China and Japan.

Organizers say any profits from the project will go to NGOs involved in unification awareness and promotion. By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)

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