[On Stage] Rep. Kim Yeji: "The Piano Is for the Audience... Politics Is Dedicated to the People"

Duo Concert with Friend Soprano Chosunhyeong on the 7th
Four-Hands Performance and 'To Music' Song with Friend
"Hope the Message 'Happy Together' is Delivered"

"It is impossible to choose between piano and politics. It's similar to asking a child, 'Do you like mom or dad better?'"

Kim Yeji, who has played the piano all her life, unexpectedly entered politics four years ago. She said she has felt great fulfillment over the past four years and now believes that the life of a politician is as important as that of a pianist.

Representative Kim Yeji is returning to her primary profession as a pianist. On the 7th, she will hold a duo concert with her friend, soprano Jo Seonhyeong, at the IBK Chamber Hall in the Seoul Arts Center. Despite her busy legislative activities, Representative Kim Yeji, who has been preoccupied with piano practice, was met on the afternoon of the 4th at the IPAC Art Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul.

Pianist Kim Yeji (People Power Party lawmaker), who is about to perform at the Seoul Arts Center, is being interviewed after finishing practice at I-Park Art Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

Before becoming widely known to the public as the country's first visually impaired member of the National Assembly four years ago, she was actively performing. She was admitted as the top student in the general admission track of the Piano Department at Sookmyung Women's University, earned a master's degree in piano at the Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University in the U.S., and obtained a doctorate in piano performance and pedagogy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

For someone who has lived as a pianist all her life, legislative work was an unfamiliar and challenging experience. However, she also felt an overwhelming sense of exhilaration.

"I believe there is no easy task in life. Both piano and politics are difficult because they are work. What matters is how you accept it. You wouldn't want to live saying every day is hard and then wish for life to end. When a bill I proposed passes and is implemented, receiving positive evaluations, that becomes a tremendous source of strength. So, although it is tough, it motivates me to work harder."

She said that although legislative work causes her a lot of stress, that stress becomes a source of strength. She said, "I don't think I can imagine a life without stress," and that she cannot give up either her life as a pianist or as a member of the National Assembly.

Sitting again in front of the piano, she reduced her sleep. A few days ago, she practiced piano until after 2 a.m. before going home. "I always start my day at 6 a.m. The earliest I go to bed is midnight."

This will be Representative Kim Yeji's first nearly two-hour-long concert in three years since the "Kim Yeji and Relax Concert" held in February 2021 at the Hongik University Daehangno Art Center in Yeongeon-dong, Seoul. Due to her legislative activities, she had to neglect piano practice. She said, "The piano is an instrument that requires at least 4 to 5 hours of practice a day. Right now, I feel like an exam student with a fire on my foot."

The interview began at 7 p.m. While some might refuse coffee at this hour because they cannot sleep, an iced Americano was placed in front of Representative Kim Yeji. "I am a person who operates on caffeine."

Pianist Kim Yeji (People Power Party lawmaker), who is about to perform at the Seoul Arts Center, is seen conversing with soprano Jo Seonhyeong after finishing practice at I-Park Art Hall in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 4th. Photo by Kang Jinhyeong aymsdream@

At the duo concert, Representative Kim Yeji will perform the first piece, "Widmung (Dedication)" by German composer Robert Schumann (1810?1856). It is the most famous first song of the 26-song song cycle "Myrthen," which Schumann gifted to his wife Clara Schumann (1819?1896) the day before their wedding. Schumann set to music a poem by German poet Friedrich R?ckert (1788?1866). The poem expresses overt feelings of love, calling the beloved "your soul, my heart, my heaven." Just as Schumann loved his wife, she intends to convey her love for the people as a member of the National Assembly. Representative Kim Yeji also performed "Widmung" at last year's Constitution Day celebration. "The time I spend on legislative activities is not my time but time dedicated to the people."

The first part of the stage will seriously showcase her side as a classical musician. Soprano Jo Seonhyeong will also sing "Die Lotosblume (The Lotus Flower)," one of the songs from "Myrthen."

The second part will be a stage to relax a bit and convey joy and comfort. Kim Yeji and Jo Seonhyeong will perform "Four Hands" on one piano. They plan to play Brahms' Hungarian Dance No. 5 and the first lullaby from Gabriel Faur?'s Dolly Suite. The two became friends naturally as they are both mothers and friends.

In the final piece, Representative Kim Yeji will transform into a vocalist. Together with soprano Jo Seonhyeong, she will sing Franz Schubert's art song "An die Musik (To Music)." Schubert composed this piece to express gratitude and praise for the comfort music provides.

"When I faced difficult times, I found comfort through music, and this is an emotion everyone can relate to. As a musician, I chose this piece last to return the gratitude I felt for being comforted by music to the audience and to sing together."

Representative Kim Yeji said, "The concert title (Sereni, noi insieme: Us, happily together) means happiness when we are together," and added, "I hope this meaning is conveyed through this concert."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.