New unification song introduced

A new song representing the desire for Korean unification was introduced on Tuesday at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts in Seoul.

Titled “One Dream, One Korea,” it is the result of the New Era Unification Song campaign that was launched in April to create the first unification song since the 1947 song “Our Wish.” 

The campaign brought domestic civic groups and Koreans living abroad together with some of the top names in Korean music, who donated their talent for the cause. 

“One Dream, One Korea” is composed by Kim Hyeong-seok and written by Kim Ea-na, both influential figures in the K-pop industry. Hyeong-seok also doubles as co-executive director of the entire campaign with director-actress Kolleen Park, who will be directing the upcoming “One K Concert.”

“I don’t think that a song can solve the fundamental problem, but if we can feel our hearts beating together through music, I believe it is a first step,” Hyeong-seok told reporters. 

Composer Kim Hyeong-seok explains the creation process for "One Dream, One Korea" to press on Tuesday at the Sejong Center for Performing Arts. (One Dream One Korea)

According to the composer, he used easy, major chords in the music to create a bright, hopeful mood and make it easy for anyone to sing along.

The track takes two forms: a duet version between singers Yangpa and Na Yoon-kwon, and a group version featuring 27 individuals and artists from top idol groups like EXO, the Wonder Girls and BTS. 

The music video will feature Unification Minister Hong Yong-pyo and the chairmen of the two major political parties in Korea -- Kim Moo-sung of the ruling Saenuri Party and Moon Jae-in of the opposition New Politics Alliance for Democracy -- representing bipartisan support for the goal of unification.

The song and music video will be released on Sept. 15, and the “One K Concert“ will take place on Oct. 9 at the World Cup Stadium in Sangam-dong, Seoul, with the participating artists. Tickets go on sale on Sept. 9, with all proceeds going to support grassroots unification movements. For more information, visit http://1dream1korea.org.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)