'Old Songs Concert' Celebrated by All Ages on Liberation Day at Pungam Lake, Gwangju

Published 16 Aug.2023 00:04(KST)

Seo-gu Mayor Kim Ikang Also Takes the Stage to Enjoy with Residents

Memories and Nostalgia for the Elderly... A Time of Communication for the Younger Generation

"Hey hey hey, what’s wrong with my age? Is there an age limit for love?"

At around 5:20 PM on the 15th, singer Oh Seung-geun’s song "What’s Wrong with My Age" echoed across Pungam Lake in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. It was a voice that residents might have heard at least once before. Although it wasn’t the skill of a professional singer, it seemed to carry genuine sincerity to connect with the people around.

The person singing this song was Kim Yi-gang, the mayor of Seo-gu, Gwangju. The stage where Mayor Kim performed was the "Happy Together Music Concert" set up at Pungam Lake Park to commemorate the 78th Liberation Day. He stepped onto the stage to give a greeting but was caught by the MC and sang spontaneously.

On the afternoon of the 15th, marking the 78th Liberation Day, Kim Yi-gang, the head of Seo-gu District Office, is singing and spending time with residents at a concert held at Pungam Lake Park in Seo-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

This event was hosted by Seo-gu and organized by The Healing Art Volunteer Group to present heartfelt popular songs sung before and after liberation to residents, providing simple entertainment and commemorating Liberation Day together.

For the elderly, it was a time filled with memories and nostalgia, while for the younger generation, it was an unfamiliar but comfortable moment to listen together with the elders.

Citizens walking their pets as usual, those walking barefoot along the lake park trail, parents holding hands with their children on a stroll, and elderly people with white hair all stopped their steps and sat in front of the stage to join in.

Although the weather was hot and they continuously fanned themselves, their faces showed expressions of enjoyment comparable to those at a large concert hall.

Along with Mayor Kim in attendance, city council members Kang Su-hoon and Lee Myung-no, district council members Jeon Seung-il, Baek Jong-han, Oh Mi-seop, and Oh Gwang-rok, former National Assembly member Cheon Jeong-bae, and about 100 residents all set aside their occupations and ages to enjoy together.

Whenever relatively recent songs played intermittently, everyone waved their hands and clapped, communicating with each other. The Healing Art Volunteer Group received cheers from the audience and sincerely performed each song, which the audience seemed to feel deeply.

One resident watching the performance said, "It is meaningful to spend time at a music concert on Liberation Day that people of all ages can enjoy," adding, "It became a time to reflect once again on Liberation Day."

Kim Yi-gang, mayor of Seo-gu, said, "On the occasion of the 78th Liberation Day, it seems to have been a time for students and citizens to reflect on the preciousness of freedom and peace through the 'Liberation Day song.' We will spare no effort to create a cultural city where Seo-gu residents can rest, enjoy leisure, and experience music, and I hope that at least for today, it will be a time to think about Liberation Day."