Busan is good

The History of Busan Through the Lives of Two Composers … September Events at the Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum Annex

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The Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum (hereinafter referred to as the Museum) announced that it will host a series of events highlighting the lives of two composers who illuminated the city of Busan.

On Saturday, September 13, at 2 p.m., the Annex will hold a humanities concert under the theme “Children of the Masters.” This program invites the children of great figures who made remarkable achievements in their fields, offering a chance to reflect on the contributions of the now late masters through their children’s memories and to explore their human side.

The September session of “Children of the Masters” will feature Lee Eun-ae, daughter of the late composer Lee Sang-geun (1922–2000). Through a dialogue with her, the audience will revisit the life, musical achievements, and personal character of Lee Sang-geun, who is known as a pioneer of contemporary music.

The late Lee Sang-geun settled in Busan in 1953 and thereafter actively worked in the city as a composer, critic, and music educator. He is highly regarded for building a unique musical world that fused Western techniques with Korean sentiment and the local identity of Busan.

In conversation with Lee Eun-ae (major in composition, music educator) and moderator Nam Young-hee (Director General of Busan Cultural Center), the audience will gain insight into Lee Sang-geun’s lesser-known musical world and the influence he had on the development of contemporary music in both Busan and Korea as a whole.

Following the dialogue, a “small concert” will be held, featuring works associated with the master. The program will include Haegok (Sea Song), composed by Lee at age 18, and one of his representative pieces, Longing.

The performers include tenor Lee Kyung-jun, soprano Kim Soo-rin, and pianist Shin Joo-ok, with arrangements by musical director and composer Kang Hyun-min.

In addition, on September 27 at 4 p.m., the Annex will host a special performance to honor donors. On this day, Baek Kyung-kwon (family representative and director of the Baek Young-ho Memorial Hall), who donated more than 25,000 of composer Baek Young-ho’s personal items, will serve as music director and emcee.

This event is designed to honor the donor’s contribution of valuable personal collections to the public and to introduce the life and music of composer Baek Young-ho, who elevated Busan’s name and contributed to the advancement of Korean popular music history.

The program will consist of a lecture by Baek Kyung-kwon, recalling Baek Young-ho’s days in Busan, followed by performances by invited singers. It will serve as an opportunity to re-examine Busan’s role and status in the history of Korean popular music.

Musician Jang Sa-ik, attending as honorary ambassador, will perform Baek Young-ho’s representative songs such as Dongbaek Agassi (Camellia Lady). His distinctive vocal tone will further enhance the musical value of Baek’s works.

Other performers include singers Ryu Won-jung, Hong Ki-pyo, and Hwang In-a, who will sing Baek’s Busan-era compositions, such as Haeundae Elegy (1958), Memory of Soya Valley (1955), and I Like You (1956), as well as a recently rediscovered posthumous work, Rainy Geumgangsan (1989).

Also present will be actor and singer Kim Min-jong, who had a close relationship with the late composer, and Baek’s eldest grandson, composer Baek Chi-woong, adding further significance to the event.

Any citizen interested in attending can participate free of charge by registering in advance on a first-come, first-served basis through the museum’s website (busan.go.kr/mmch).

For detailed information about the events, please contact the Museum at 051-607-8034.

Meanwhile, the Museum announced that the contents of the “Children of the Masters” events (2024–2025) will be compiled into a book to be published in December as a non-commercial edition. The book will be provided exclusively to citizens who attend both the September and October programs.

Kim Ki-yong, Director of the Busan Modern & Contemporary History Museum, stated, “We hope this will be an opportunity to reflect on the modern and contemporary history and culture of the region through the lives and music of two composers who lived in different times.”