Ministry of National Defense Republic of Korea

[R.O.K Navy] Patriotism will be in the air in Gwanghwamun at night

Together with the U.S. 7th Navy military band, joint concert to be held for the first time
Performance of ‘Myeongnyang’ to offer inspiration and fun

Concert to be free for all to attend

The R.O.K Navy, which is carrying on the traditions of Admiral Yi Sun-shin, will be holding a magnificent performance to celebrate the 471st birthday of Yi Sun-shin, a Korean hero who helped the nation overcome crisis.

On April 28 in the evening, the navy will hold ‘Love of country, patriotic concert’ to celebrate the Admiral Yi’s birthday and strengthen our will to protect our territorial waters at a specially arranged stage in Gwanghwamun plaza, where a bronze statue of Admiral Yi Sun-shin looks down our capital city, Seoul. The concert will last for 90 minutes, and will be emceed by former KBS anchor Hwang Soo-kyeong.

Significantly, the concert will be the first Korea-U.S. joint patriotic concert to feature the U.S. 7th Fleet military band. There will be approximately 300 performers in total, including 120 Korean and U.S. military band members, the naval honor guard, the navy’s promotions unit, a dance company, choir and invited singers, who are expected to provide an energetic performance that will fill the Seoul night air with the spirit of patriotism.

The Marine band, established in Jinhae, Gyeongnam province, in April, 1946, has been making a great contribution to strengthening relations between the public and the military through various ceremonial events, regular concerts and nationwide concert tours. The U.S. 7th Fleet military band is a good military band as it has received a lot of performance requests from many countries including Japan, the Philippines, Australia, Thailand, Hongkong since its foundation in 1943.

At the concert, ‘Myeongnyang’, arranged by the Marine band, will be played to honor the Battle of Myeongnyang, which stands out in the global history of naval warfare. As well, the concert features a range of programs, such as military songs sung with a combined choir composed of children and reserve forces, performances by the powerful singer Geomi, and the musical actor and actress couple, Kim So-hyun and Son Jun-ho, while providing moving experiences and fun to citizens.

Significantly, 30 Navy sailors will show the musical ‘Return of the heroes’ with magnificent and powerful performances by the Korea-U.S. military bands. This is expected to catch the eyes and ears of audiences. The musical ‘Return of the heroes’ is a great performance work that expresses the efforts of the Navy who lead the bright military culture and the will of protecting our sea with several heroes who fought for our territorial seas including Admiral Yi Sun-shin, Admiral Son Won-il, 6 warriors during the Battle of Yeonpyeong, etc.

The Navy is providing the concert for free, so that anyone who loves the Navy and the sea can attend.

By Su-Yeol, Maeng < guns13@dema.mil.kr >
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