By UN Journal Kayla Lee
Praying for the successful hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, the ‘Concert of Love’ commemorating the 78th anniversary of the establishment of Jamwon-dong Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul will be held on the evening of November 15 in the main sanctuary.
This concert will be open to all, featuring free admission and open seating, designed as an inclusive festival for both parishioners and local residents. Amidst the gentle melodies enveloping late autumn, the parish community will share a time of faith filled with hope and love.
Ahead of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day (WYD), this stage of love was organized with the hope that “it may be a comfort to all.” In his welcoming remarks, Parish Priest Paul Park Sang-soo stated, “Preparing for this concert, as we leave the hot summer behind and approach Advent, the parish community hopes to be reborn as ‘practitioners of love.’” He added, “May today's stage be a comfort to the weary and a time for everyone to feel embraced by God's love.”
This concert, featuring Korea's top vocalists and performing artists, was curated under the artistic general director of Professor Seo Jeong-rim (former President of Korea National University of Arts and Seongnam Cultural Foundation) and presented a program of exceptional quality.
● Performers
Conductor: Jung Joo-young (Conductor of Wonju City Choir; Professor, College of Music)
Host: Kim Byung-chan (KBS announcer, 17th class)
Musical Actors: Bae Hae-sun, Park Wan
Dance & Fusion Traditional Music: Poppin Hyunjun & Master Singer Park Ae-ri
Baritone: Kim Dong-kyu
Soprano: Park Sung-hee
● Key Program Pieces
〈Memory〉 (from the musical Cats) – Park Wan
〈This Moment〉 (from Jekyll & Hyde) – Park Wan
〈A Whole New World〉 (Aladdin) – Bae Hae-seon · Park Wan
Traditional Pansori 〈Ssukdaemari〉, 〈Eosa Chuldu〉, 〈Arirang〉 – Poppin Hyunjun · Park Ae-ri
〈Ave Maria〉, 〈Nella Fantasia〉, 〈My Way〉 – Park Sung-hee ·Kim Dong-kyu
The harmony of vocal music, musical numbers, traditional Korean music, and contemporary dance filling the cathedral is expected to deeply move attendees.
“WYD 2027, Let's Prepare with Open Hearts” – A community united through music Jamwon-dong Cathedral marks its 78th anniversary this year. This parish community, where generations from the elderly to youth and children come together, will reaffirm its strong solidarity in faith through this concert.
Parish Priest Park Sang-soo emphasized, “The 2027 World Youth Day will be a great festival of faith that conveys hope to the future of the Korean Church and to young people worldwide,” adding, “Jamwon-dong Cathedral will also prepare for that joy together.”
The concert, completed through abundant cooperation, was prepared through the dedicated collaboration of various parish staff members, including the Liturgy, Culture and Publicity, Sunday School, Youth, Facilities, and Social Welfare committees, centered around the Jamwon-dong Parish Pastoral Council.
Notably, the Myeongdohoe filming team will handle video production, preserving this as a cherished record for the parish. Music arrangement was handled by composer Han Jeong-im, Elizabet (Visiting Professor at Chung-Ang University), further elevating the stage's quality.
“I love you all!” A gift of an autumn night blooming with gratitude and blessings. After the final song, the parish community will share a time of prayer and thanksgiving together.
Soprano Park Sung-hee and baritone Kim Dong-kyu plan to deliver a warm message: “We hope everyone here remembers that you are loved,” to which attendees will respond with enthusiastic applause.
On this deepening autumn night, Jamwon-dong Cathedral's ‘Love Concert’ will be a blessed gathering where faith, art, and community converge, brightly shining a light of hope for the success of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul.
