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| ▲ This file photo shows Woong-san of the Woongsan Band performing in 'Let There Be Love, Itaewon.' (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This file photo shows the posters for 'Let There Be Love, Itaewon' on display. (Yonhap) |
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| ▲ This file photo shows Halim performing in 'Let There Be Love, Itaewon.' (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Feb. 6 (Yonhap) -- Several South Korean musicians gathered at bars and clubs in Itaewon on Sunday, which marks the 100th day since the fatal crowd crush that occurred in the district, to have a time of condolence for the victims of the incident.
An array of musicians appeared in Sunday’s concert, titled “Let There Be Love, Itaewon!,” to extend their condolences to the bereaved families, express sorrow for the victims of a tragic incident, and bolster the revival of local commercial districts.
The event was held at local stores situated in Itaewon, such as Pumpkin, Waikiki Beach Pub, Day & Night, All That Jazz, and Bistro Mexi, over a period of two days. Acclaimed musicians, including the Woongsan Band led by jazz diva Woong-san, musician Halim, Choi Hang-seok and his band Boogie Monster, along with the garage rock band Galaxy Express and indie band Old Man and Woman Riding Stellar, expressed their condolences with their music.
The streets of Itaewon were relatively calm on this day, with only several Korean couples spotted enjoying their shopping along with some foreign tourists taking a tour. The number of visitors did increase compared to the rapid decrease the district had witnessed right after the incident; however, when compared to the weekends before the incident, there yet seems to be a long way to go for the commercial district to enjoy such an exuberance and energy it was widely known for before.
The district had several visitors coming and going to the stores along the boulevard; still, the back alley which used to be crowded with restaurants in the past was nearly deserted with many restaurants closed. Some stores even have put up their “rent inquiry” signs.
The bar Bistro Mexi, where a session of the concert was held, did gather some bystanders one by one before the gig started. With dozens of tables surrounding the stage by the window, the audience went over 100, and many ordered alcoholic beverages and food to enjoy while listening to the act, which aligned with the main objective of these performances.
Singer-songwriter Kim Mok-in took the stage and said, “I think performers like us are happy when society as a whole is happy,” adding, “If something unfortunate happens to our society, we also tend to lose our high spirits.”
Singer and performer Halim began his stage with his unreleased single “Song of Salmon.” “This song is about coming and going, which I have been singing in places where there is grief and sorrow,” the singer explained. “I performed this song at the site of the Sewol Ferry disaster and also at the Danube River in Hungary where a cruise ship disaster occurred. I wish my song would comfort many hearts today as well.”
He also said, “I also sang on the 49th day of the tragedy, during which I reminded myself of the power of music in comforting the people who listen to them. It was also the time when I became even more determined to keep making and singing songs that bring forth comfort and relaxation rather than joy and excitement.”
A series of jazz performances were held at All That Jazz cafe near the Itaewon Station. The Woongsan Band headlined the gig at 7 p.m. after the sunset and met the audience for the first time in a long time on a small stage in a jazz cafe, which was definitely far from a large-scale stage.
“Thank you for joining us on this meaningful and heart-warming night,” the Korean jazz diva Woong-san said. “You all have wonderful hearts and minds just for stopping by.”
“I am so grateful that All That Jazz, which has been the hub of Korean jazz for a long time, finally re-opened after the pandemic,” she said with a smile. “It is now even better that I no longer have to mask up while singing and that I can look at your smiles.”
This group of musicians, which have named themselves “Team Itaewon,” also organized various events that were run alongside their gigs; all profits were delivered to the victims of the incident and donation organizations.
Team Itaewon said, “We wish hope and love may revisit Itaewon which has lost its light since the tragic incident, and we believe that music has the power to heal our wounded hearts and shine a light of hope upon this district.”
Yeo, 25, who visited Itaewon on Sunday with his high school friends, said, “There was a lot to relate to the victims of the tragedy as most of them were my age,” adding, “I did not have the time and opportunity to properly express my condolence, and I thought the concert was meaningful as it was organized for us and the distinct to move forward rather than only grieving and mourning.”
(This article is translated from Korean to English by Ha eun Lee)
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