No Poverty

It was the afternoon of November 17, and a chilly wind heralded the arrival of winter. Despite the chill, citizens with excited faces hurried toward a concert hall. Before long, the venue was brimming with over 10,000 people, and the atmosphere grew warm and lively, reminiscent of a spring day.

The 22nd New Life Concert, hosted by the Intl. WeLoveU Foundation and sponsored by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Korea NPO Solidarity for the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Korea Association for Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect, and Incheon Sejong Hospital, took place at the Exhibition Hall on the first floor of Songdo Convensia in Songdo International City, Incheon. This concert aimed to support climate disaster victims and underprivileged neighbors. The event was attended by WeLoveU Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah, board members, over 13,000 members, and citizens. Joining them were family members of diplomats from six countries, including Peru, Ecuador, and Nepal, along with prominent figures from the political, business, cultural, artistic, and educational sectors, all united in support of WeLoveU’s “Love Neighbors” initiative.

The first part of the donation ceremony began with an opening address by Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah. She opened by stating, “The season when warmth is needed most has arrived. In a world where large-scale disasters from floods, earthquakes, heat waves, and wildfires make it difficult to envision a hopeful future, it is natural to bring hope and courage to our neighbors in need.” Chairwoman Zahng expressed her wish for those facing hardships to rebuild their daily lives and look forward to a brighter tomorrow. She also conveyed her heartfelt gratitude to the organizations and institutions that sponsored the event.

The Peruvian Ambassador to Korea, H.E. Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi, delivered a congratulatory speech, stating, “The New Life Concert is a great opportunity to show that music is a precious tool that connects humanity. I would like to pay tribute to WeLoveU’s social efforts around the world.” He also expressed hope for the friendship between Peru and WeLoveU to pave the way for a bright future. Ecuadorian Ambassador to Korea, H.E. Patricio Esteban Troya Suárez, commended the initiative, saying, “I thank WeLoveU for helping the victims of the wildfires in Ecuador. WeLoveU’s support plays a vital role in the recovery of the victims’ families and serves as a powerful example of the spirit of international cooperation and humanitarianism.

In the next segment, the donation plaque symbolizing the pledged funds was presented, followed by a video aimed at raising awareness about climate disasters. During this concert, WeLoveU extended support to countries affected by massive wildfires, including Peru, Brazil, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Bolivia, as well as to Nepal, Bangladesh, and Thailand, which suffered from devastating floods caused by record heavy rainfall. Additionally, WeLoveU provided aid to a Mongolian family living in Korea, 100 underprivileged households in Korea (60 in Seoul and 40 in Incheon), and group homes for abused children. The total donations, both domestic and international, amounted to 290,000 USD.

The second part of the concert opened with a lively performance by the New Life Children’s Choir, dressed in traditional costumes from around the world. Following their act, singers Yang Su-gyeong, Kim Jong-hwan, Lia Kim, and Kim Seong-hwan took the stage one after another, performing heartfelt songs about love, family, and the meaning of life, earning enthusiastic cheers from the audience. The concert featured a diverse array of genres, including performances by sopranos Kang Min-seong and Jeong Chan-hee, and the popera group La Classe. Canzones, arias, and beloved Korean popular songs, accompanied by a magnificent orchestral performance, captivated and moved the crowd. The excitement in the hall grew into a wave of fervor, as audience members waved their cell phone flashlights, turning the exhibition hall into a sea of glittering lights.

The performers, who willingly donated their talents, shared how deeply moved they were to deliver messages of love and hope to the global audience, united with the enthusiastic crowd. Singer Yang Su-gyeong, participating in the New Life Concert for the first time, remarked, “Today’s stage was the most beautiful I’ve ever been on. Seeing people who are doing good for others enjoying themselves made me happy too.” Singer Kim Jong-hwan, a long-time participant alongside his daughter Lia Kim, shared, “I’m grateful to deliver warmth to neighbors in need through this event. Personally, I love this concert so much that I wish it could be held every three months instead of once a year.” Lia Kim added, “Whenever I come to the New Life Concert, I sing with great joy. The enthusiastic response from WeLoveU members gives me strength. They are good neighbors who support those in need, and I take the stage each time, inspired to be like them.” Soprano Jeong Chan-hee expressed, “What made this experience most meaningful was being able to comfort and empower those who are leading such valuable work.” Baritone Oh Yoo-seok of the popera group La Classe emphasized the significance of sharing and volunteerism: “It’s not easy to put one’s heart into action, so it’s incredibly special to see so many people come together to spread love. I’m truly grateful for that. I hope everyone who attends this concert sings and finds happiness together.”

The diplomats who attended the New Life Concert expressed their sympathy and support for WeLoveU’s global humanitarian efforts. The Charge d’Affaires at the Nepali Embassy, Pushpa Raj Bhattarai, expressed his gratitude, stating, “WeLoveU is helping the victims of this year’s floods, as well as those affected by the 2015 earthquakes in Nepal.” The Sri Lankan Counselor, Udayanga Pieris, remarked, “Disasters are unavoidable, and we need solutions to address the situation and comfort those affected. In that regard, WeLoveU’s concert, which unites people through the powerful force of music and moves them toward a common goal, is truly remarkable.”

Park Sang-hyeon, from Seoul, who was invited by his university classmate, shared, “I’ve worked in the musical scene, so I understand how difficult it is to organize a charity concert and coordinate with experts from various fields. I was surprised that everything was carried out so smoothly, thanks to everyone’s warm-hearted efforts. The performance itself was fantastic, but the purpose behind it was even more meaningful.” Choi Yeong-ok, also from Seoul and a frequent attendee of the concert, said, “This was my first time experiencing the orchestra performance at the New Life Concert. I was deeply moved by the high-quality classical music, and I felt proud to be able to help neighbors on the other side of the world as a WeLoveU member.”

After the concert ended, the faces of the audience were filled with cherished memories. The WeLoveU members moved forward into a new tomorrow, determined to continue sharing this warmth with their neighbors, even as the winter approaches.