A special commemorative concert will take place on March 1 at 11 a.m. in the main chapel of Berendo Street Baptist Church (975 S. Berendo St). Hosted by the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles (KAFLA), the event will celebrate the 106th anniversary of March 1 Independence Movement Day against imperial Japan’s colonial rule.
Bringing together a diverse array of Korean-American artists from the greater Los Angeles area, the performance will blend Eastern and Western art forms, reinterpreting the spirit of the independence movement through music and dance.
Featured artists include LAKA Choir Director Jang Sang-geun (vocals); Jiyun Ja, president of the Korean Artists Association of America (gayageum); Lee Byung-sang, chairman of the Uri Garak Missionary Association (daegeum); violinist Yoon Jin-young (electric violin); Jin Choi, head of KAFLA’s Arts and Culture Committee (ballet); and Yoo Na-young, director of the American Korean Dance Company (Korean traditional dance). The stage production will be led by Ju Sung, CEO of Ju Sung Productions.
The concert draws inspiration from the famous words of independence activist Yu Gwan-sun, who, while imprisoned in Cell No. 8 of Seodaemun Prison, proclaimed her unwavering commitment to the cause. The event’s primary goal is to pass on the legacy of the March 1 Movement to younger generations through the power of artistic expression.
“We wanted to present March 1 as more than just a historical event but as a living, breathing spirit that still resonates today,” said Jin Choi, KAFLA’s Arts and Culture Committee Chair. “Many children today associate March 1 only with marathons or public events, without fully understanding its significance. Through this performance, they will experience history and the independence movement in a way that feels organic and engaging. Art can communicate these themes far more effectively than words alone.”
The concert will open with the hauntingly deep and melancholic notes of the daegeum, setting a solemn tone. The gayageum will follow, adding lyrical resonance to the historical weight of the March 1 Movement. A ballet performance will depict Yu Gwan-sun’s imprisonment and suffering, dramatizing the sacrifices made by independence activists. The piece will then transition into a contemporary dance sequence symbolizing liberation, culminating in an electric violin performance that conveys a sense of hope and freedom.
The finale will feature 12 young dancers holding Taegeukgi (the Korean national flag), a symbolic gesture representing the connection between Korean-American youth and the future of Korea.
“The final scene, where 12 elementary school children wave the Taegeukgi, is meant to illustrate that the next generation of Korean Americans holds the key to Korea’s future,” Choi said. “Through this performance, we hope they will naturally absorb the history and meaning of March 1 Independence Movement Day.”
Additionally, on March 11 at 6 p.m., KAFLA’s YouTube channel, KAFLA TV, will host an in-depth online lecture exploring the artistic and historical significance of the performance, offering a behind-the-scenes look at its creation.
BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]
