Toy’s Yoo Hee-yeol writes requiem for Sewol victims

Composer Yoo Hee-yeol, leader of the project group Toy, has written a requiem for the victims of the Sewol ferry accident.

“Sea of Mother” is a calm and melancholy piano composition written by Yoo as a small gesture of encouragement to a nation grieving deeply over the accident, said his management agency Antenna Music.

Its theme is a healing mother, who provides peace and solace to her children during times of sadness and distress, the agency said.

The requiem was first released to the public through Yoo’s flagship music program Yoo Hee-yeol’s Sketchbook on Saturday.

The track also became available for download and streaming free of charge through various online music services on Monday.

“We decided to offer the song free of charge, in the hopes that many listeners will feel truly consoled by its melody,” said Antenna Music.

“Sea of Mother” has two versions: an instrumental version featuring Yoo on piano and a string quartet, and a full version that adds a poignant humming section by Kim Yoon-ah, the vocalist of veteran rock band Jaurim.

By Sohn Ji-young (jiyoung.sohn@heraldcorp.com)