The 17th New Life Concert

The New Life Concert of the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation has brought warmth to the neighbors at home and abroad in cold winter. On December 18, at 4 p.m., the 17th New Life Concert was held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. This concert was sponsored by Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul Metropolitan Government, Gyeonggi-do Provincial Government, Sejong General Hospital, and Korea Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. In this concert many people from all walks of life participated: Chairwoman of the Foundation Zahng Gil-jah, the board members of the Foundation, Seojong General Hospital’s President Lee Myeong-mook, President of Korea Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Yi Bae-keun, diplomatic groups and their families from 20 countries including Jordanian Ambassador to Korea Adel Mohammad Adaileh. More than 20,000 members and citizens filled the vast Gocheok Sky Dome and spent their year-end, offering their comfort and hope to the neighbors having hard times.

Through the opening address, Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah clarified the purpose of the event: “This concert has been designed for our neighbors suffering from disaster, poverty, and disease all around the globe. Please inspire courage and hope into our neighbors who are here, with cheers and strong applause.” She also didn’t forget to thank the members and guests who attended. She wished that the upcoming New Year would be a year filled with joy and hope for all: “Let us leave behind the cold wind of December, desperation in our society, and the pain and sadness that each of you carries in 2016. Today, I sincerely hope you will have a beautiful and precious time.”

Sponsor Chairman Lee Soon-jae could not participate in the concert this year, but sent a video message. And then the President of Korea Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect Yi Bae-keun’s greeting was followed. Taking the example of the Motherland Monument in Ukraine, which depicts the mother waiting for his son to return from the battlefield, he recalled the meaning of it: “The tower of love of Mother has been built here for our unprivileged neighbors, who are struggling hard in their tough lives that are like battlefields.” Jordanian Ambassador to Korea Adel Mohammad Adaileh, too, offered a congratulatory speech and generously praised international and multifaceted activities of the WeLoveU Foundation. He appealed for further attention to the refugees who had lost their homes, explaining that people, who were suffering from disputes and disasters, were increasing.

At the donation delivery ceremony, our neighbors suffering from disaster and poverty in five countries—Ecuador, Myanmar, Vietnam, Chile, and Paraguay—were provided with educational facilities, daily necessities, and medical expenses; and medical expenses and living expenses were delivered to 67 domestic households who had been marginalized from the governmental welfare service. Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah herself handed out the sponsorship certificates and gifts to the invited beneficiaries, and comforted them by holding their hands. The members of the Foundation and the citizens lavished the applause of encouragement on them.

As the part 2 began, Actor Kim Seong-hwan hosted the concert with his witty emcee ability that evening. The children’s choir drew us into the realm of childhood; they sang different kinds of songs and dances—a lyrical song that sings love and hope, and a jolly song that makes us feel like dancing. The cast were tensed and overwhelmed by the enormous scale and the large audience, but as they were there to share and donate their talents, they filled the stage with their luminous passion more than ever. At every end of the year, they wait for the New life Concert because they get moved while they sing. This year, they gave a cheering message, “The most important thing is not to lose hope.”

In one voice, the audience followed along the songs with the cast; and every time a stage was over, they had let out a big applause and a shout that the domed stadium reverberated. The lights, which filled the stadium, rolled along the songs and created a magnificent spectacle. The beneficiaries too had a good time, watching the concert after receiving their sponsorship certificates.

“I’m happy! I love you! Thank you!”

A Filipino housewife from a multicultural family came with her 10-year-old daughter, and kept saying in her poor Korean, “I am so happy to be here.” There was also an immigrant women in her 60s, and she said she even thought about giving up on her life because she was too tired, hurt, and lonely, living in a foreign country. She was very encouraged as numerous people came to cheer her up. She was very happy and appreciated everyone. The other beneficiaries too expressed how grateful they were, “We had no opportunity to tell our difficulties to anyone. It was hard to live and we were lost. Thank you so much for giving us your attention and for helping us in this situation.”

A foreign student named Wajid (Daejeon, Korea) was invited to the concert by a member of the Foundation. He drew our attention with his mirth and his talent during the whole concert. When the concert was over, he could not conceal his overwhelming expression. “Although we are different in country, culture, and language, we can understand each other in one language of love. Life for others is sublime but difficult. I am proud of all those who are doing this,” said Wajid.

The New Life Concert didn’t spare to comfort and encourage each other. It was truly a healing place where there was no giver and receiver. The audience wished the concert would go longer, but left for the next, hoping that their hearts would be remembered.